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WURI 2024: GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION
When you plan for submission:
1. No fees or expenses: WURI operates as a not-for-profit program, ensuring that there are no charges or
hidden costs associated with the application and evaluation process. Furthermore, this program and its
participants are not engaged in any marketing activities.
2. Innovative cases as the target of evaluation: Our emphasis is on evaluating individual innovative
cases rather than relying solely on past statistical data from universities. We are keen to explore each
unique innovative case that can provide valuable insights into future prospects. Therefore, please
submit your application for each innovative case separately.
3. Use of template: Please fill out the template provided to share your innovative cases. You can access
the latest version of the template on our website. Please remember to submit only one program per
template.
4. Preventing the use of previous-year templates: we upgrade the template each year. Thus, we don’t
allow using templates from previous years. Please download the new template from our website or
follow the link below in this document.
5. Multiple categories for application: Applicants have the flexibility to apply for one or more of the
following thirteen categories: (A1) Student Support and Engagement, (A2) Student Mobility and
Openness, (A3) Industrial Application, (A4) Entrepreneurial Spirit, (A5) Crisis Management, (A6)
Social Responsibility (A7) Generative AI Application, (A8) Support for Global Resilience (e.g.,
Russia-Ukraine War), (B1) Leadership, (B2) Funding, (B3) Infrastructure/ Technology (B4) Symbol
(Promotion) (B5) Culture/Values. Details are listed in the Appendix of this document.
An applicant can be ranked in more than one category or all thirteen if applicable. If your case fits into
multiple categories, please select the primary category you wish to be ranked in from the list of 13
and submit your application accordingly.
6. Multiple submissions for each category: Applicants can submit multiple programs for each category.
Nevertheless, programs within the same category should possess distinct and unique characteristics.
7. Disallowing repeated submissions from the previous year: We discourage the resubmission of
identical content from the previous year. If there have been significant changes to key information in a
program previously submitted, you may consider resubmitting it.
8. Collaborative projects: If your program has been jointly developed and/or implemented in cases of
multi-degree programs, research consortia, or similar collaborative projects, two or more applicants can
submit the same application separately. However, please ensure that the two organizations involved are
distinct institutions.
9. Tips for templates: Please refer to our guideline for templates. Highlighted things to be emphasized
again is the following:
① The program name should not exceed 150 characters and the abstract should not exceed 300 words
② Use the full name of your university (e.g, FUS (X), Franklin University Switzerland (O) )
③ It is essential to use the international language of English throughout all content during the evaluation
process. Please avoid using any special characters in the university name and program name.
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When you submit you application:
10. Due dates: The deadline for submission is November 15, 2023. In the previous year, a large number of
applications were received at the last minute, leading to errors for some universities. Therefore, we
strongly encourage early submission. Applicants are permitted to revise their applications until the final
due date.
11. Log-in to our website (https://www.wuri.world/): Please log-in to our website to facilitate submission
and track your application. If you do not have an existing account with us, kindly register first.
To register, click the “Log in” button on the top right corner of website.
12. Online submission: All applications must be submitted through our online system by assessing the
WURI Online Application System on our website.
(https://www.wuri.world/2024-wuri-application-system)
The WURI Application System enables you to submit a new program, track your saved version, and
resubmit the template.
13. Submitting a new program: When submitting a new application, please click the “Go to submit a new
program” button within the WURI Application System (see red arrow in the below image)
(https://www.wuri.world/2024-wuri-application-system).
14. Track your submission: You can also track submission by clicking the “Go to find your saved data”
button within the WURI Application System (https://www.wuri.world/2024-wuri-application-system).
(see orange arrow in the below image). When tracking your application, please ensure that your
program name and category number in serial number (WURI2024_A1001) are accurate.
15. Submitting multiple programs: When submitting multiple applications, please submit one program at
a time. The basic information about your university will be automatically saved and can be used for
multiple submissions.
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16. Wait until the completion of file upload: Depending on the size of your template and the traffic status,
it might take several seconds to complete uploading your file. Please wait till the file has been
successfully uploaded (by checking the “V” sign: see red circle below) and then click on the submit
button.
17. Modify your submission: You have the option to make changes to your application until the due date
(November 15, 2023). To modify your application, please follow these steps:
(1) Click “Go to find your saved data” in the main page of WURI Online Application System.
(2) Select the program you wish to modify.
When you are being evaluated:
18. Ranking: The rankings will be publicly disclosed for each category and subsequently, the evaluation
results from each category will be aggregated to formulate the global top rankings. Universities will be
ranked based on the quality and quantity of their programs, encompassing all submitted applications.
19. Evaluation process: The initial round of evaluation relies on peer assessment. All participating
applicants will evaluate one another anonymously. The specific methodology is available on our
website and will also be reiterated when we send out invitations to serve as an evaluator. Evaluation will
start from early January till March.
20. Evaluation criteria: Each program will be assessed based on uniqueness, implementability, and impact.
21. Tips for receiving a positive evaluation: We recommend you paying particular attention to the
following aspects to enhance your evaluation:
- Craft a well-written abstract.
- Write well on “key points to highlight from content” and “differences from traditional
approaches” sections in the template
- Be specific in presenting your program’s content to assist evaluators in comprehending it
thoroughly, potentially by incorporating graphs, images, photos, and other visual aids.
22. Announcement of our rankings: The final rankings will be unveiled during the 4th Hanseatic League
of Universities Conference, scheduled to take place at Franklin University Switzerland in mid-June,
2024.
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Appendix: Overview of WURI Categories
WURI Categories Overview
The Mechanism-Based View in University’s Innovation
The Mechanism-Based View1 (Cho, 2014) is a framework that provides a deeper understanding of how
organizations create and sustain a competitive advantage through innovation. It focuses on the
underlying mechanisms that drive innovation, which encompasses both the content (what to
innovate) and the process (how to innovate). This view helps organizations to develop
customer-centric, strategically aligned, and efficiently executed innovation that lead to sustained
success in a dynamic changing environment.
WURI ranking also follows this Mechanism-Based View and it is composed of 13 categories
encompassing the innovation target (content) and innovation means (process). Successfully
implementing innovation requires both content and process consideration because they address
different but interconnected aspects of the innovation journey. These two elements complement each
other and ensure that innovation efforts are well-targeted, efficiently executed, and ultimately lead to
desired outcomes.
13 Categories of WURI Ranking 2024
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Cho, D.S. (2014). Mechanism-Based View: A New Strategy Paradigm for Holistic Management. Seoul, South Korea:
Seoul Business and Economics Press
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WURI: 6 categories in Innovation Target (Innovate for whom?)
A1. Student Support and Engagement: Focuses on supporting student’s academic and
career success as well as student welfare, diversity, inclusion, and participation
Support on academic and career success
● Pre-stage: availability of comprehensive and easily accessible information, mentorship
opportunities
● On-campus stage: Robust student support services, including academic advising, counseling,
career counseling, and workshops, to address students' needs and help them navigate
challenges effectively.
● Post-graduate stage: Provides alumni network and support, career placement services, and
lifelong learning opportunities to help alumni to stay connected and develop their career
Promote student welfare, diversity, inclusion, and participation
● Welfare: Health and well-being services, financial assistance, housing and accommodation,
career services and internship support, student support networks
● Diversity and inclusion: equal access to education and support, inclusive policies and practices,
cultural sensitivity
● Student participation: variety of student involvement opportunities, students participation in
decision-making processes effective communication and transparency
A2. Student Mobility and Openness: Focuses on exchange and collaboration between
schools and across national borders to promote openness and the sharing of knowledge and
resources, rather than an independent yet closed system
● Range of exchange programs
● Partnerships and collaborations
● Support services for mobility programs
● Recognition of credits to promote seamless transfer
● Culture sensitivity and internationalization
A3. Industrial Application: Emphasizes the application of industrial-related education and
research to generate tangible impacts, diverging from the conventional focus on
academia-driven research and education.
● Research and Education on AI technology development
● Industry partnerships and collaborations
● Research funding and grants from industry sources
● Technology transfer and intellectual property
● Industry relevance of academic programs
● Alumni success and industry engagement
● Industry-ready skills development
● Industry recognitions and awards
● Feedback from industry partners
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A4. Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encompasses a range of elements and initiatives that
collectively foster an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation.
● Entrepreneurship programs and curriculum
● Entrepreneurial support services
● Entrepreneurial culture and community
● Funding opportunities
● Alumni entrepreneurship success
● Track record of entrepreneurial ventures
● Industry connections and partnerships to promote entrepreneurs
● Publications and research on entrepreneurship
A5. Crisis Management: Focuses on managing environmental and economic crisis that
universities face from the greater society, such as climate change, diseases like COVID-19,
and other global and local crisis
● Environmental sustainability: conservation of natural resources, renewable energy, waste
management
● Climate crisis management: overcoming any uncertain crisis emerging from climate changes
● Economic sustainability: responsible business practices, economic resilience, sustainable
supply chains
A6. Social Responsibility: Focuses on researching and educating ethics and integrity,
rather than solely concentrating on knowledge and skills for academic success.
● Curriculum, course content on social responsibility, ethics, and integrity
● Research projects or initiatives on social responsibility
● Commitment to ethical leadership and governance
● Support on ethical decision-making skills and a sense of social awareness
● Ethical research and publication practices
WURI: 2 special topics for Year 2024
A7. Generative AI Application: Focuses on how universities are reacting to and applying
Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT) in their education, research, and administration
● Alignment of generative AI and pedagogical goals and objectives of the courses or programs
● Ethical implication of using generative AI application
● Establishment of customized generative AI application
● Assessment of the reliability and accuracy of the generative AI application
● The availability of resources and support for implementing and maintaining the generative AI
applications
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A8. Support for Global Resilience (Russian-Ukraine War): Focuses on community
engagement and outreach for global current issues such as Russian-Ukraine War. This could
be a subset of “A6. Social Responsibility”, but this specifically focuses on current issues such
as the Russian-Ukraine war.
● Engage with the local community and address social needs
● Partnership with nonprofit org, or community-based initiatives
● Collaboration with external partners with external organizations.
● Support global societal issues such as Russia-Ukraine war
WURI: 5 categories in Innovation Means (Innovate how?)
B1. Leadership: Emphasizes whether the existing leadership relinquish its privilege and
continually adapt and innovate to remain effective and influential in the ever-changing
landscape of higher education.
● Leadership with a clear vision for the program
● Articulated a well-defined strategy to achieve the desired outcomes
● Leadership encourages creative thinking and take calculated risks to implement new ideas
● Prioritized and allocate resources in advance
● Whether new entity for innovation emerges, such as practitioners driving the innovation from
the bottom-up
B2. Funding: Focuses on how innovative approach a university took to raise fund by
exploring diversified funding streams and adopting new methods
● Use of technology or digital platforms to streamline fundraising processes, facilitate online
donations, engage with donors through personalized campaigns, or leverage data analytics to
identify potential donors
● Collaborations with creative partners; diversification of funding sources
● Implementation of creative fundraising initiatives, such as crowdfunding campaigns, alumni
fundraising events, social media campaigns, or innovative sponsorship programs
B3. Infrastructure/Technology: Focuses on how well a university is adopting new
technologies and new infrastructure to support their innovative efforts throughout the
entire programs
● Responses to AI technology in education and research
● Use of new technologies in teaching, conducting research, and implementing administrative
processes
● Availability of technology infrastructure and resources
● AI ethical and responsible practices
● Recognition and awards to promote new technology and infrastructure adaptation
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B4. Symbol (Promotion): Leverages creative ways to promote innovative programs
effectively by thinking outside the box
● Symbolic representation using iconic symbols and visual identity: logo, color, typography, and
imagery
● Compelling storytelling and emotional appeal strategies
● Brand Ambassadors and influencers; Branding consistency across various communication
channels, materials, and platforms
● Experiential marketing including symbolic installations that visually represent the innovative
program’s concepts, achievements, or potential outcomes, capturing attention
B5. Culture/Values: Culture and value that promotes innovation throughout the students,
professors, and administrators in universities
Promotes industry/student-centered thinking (rather than university/professor- centered thinking)
● Considers the potential social impact of the program
● Stakeholder engagement, especially students
● Clarity of purpose
● Novelty and uniqueness in addressing the identified purpose
Pursuit on social values (alongside the values of universities)
● Societal impact
● Program adheres to ethical principles and values
● Whether approaches with diversity and inclusion
● Whether the program commits to sustainability
Establish innovative culture
● Risk-taking and experimentation
● The level of support and encouragement by university leadership
● The extent to collaborate and engage in cross-disciplinary co-efforts
● Open communication and idea sharing
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We believe these 13 categories encompass the major areas of innovation that higher
education institutions should pursue to achieve competitive advantage in this dynamically
changing environment.
