REPORT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF EUROBIO 5 JUNE 1999

1. There was a need to replace certain members due to an accumulation of activities, Professor F. Barth (Vienna) was replaced by Dr. W. Klepal and due to retirement prof Lewan by Dr. Olsson (Umea). Dr Tiima Elvisto is added as representative of Estonia New elections will take place in 2000.
2. Professor J. Parnell presented the financial report.
   Income was currently at 920 Irish Pounds. However, as the result of the various forms of payment used by members, bank charges amounted to 128.32 Irish Pounds which was far too high. It was agreed by the membership that in future, where possible, all payments should be made by either credit card or bank transfer. Further more they should be paid on a fixed date so reducing the handling charges. All payments should be in either Euros or Irish Pound.

3. The General Assembly welcomed the participation of Marton BODOR on behalf of the European Biology Students Federation and Karin VAN DONINCK on behalf of the European Biology Student Organsiation - SYMBIOSE who explained the roles of their respective organisations.
   It was agreed that they should join EUROBIO and have membership of the working groups. There would be close co-operation with links via the internet. Student delegations would attend the next EUROBIO meeting in Manchester. Prof van Rij will represent Eurobio during the Symbiose meeting in Amsterdam.

4. European Ph.D. Letters of agreement to participate in the scheme have been received from thirty three Universities. The list is open for as many Universities as wish to participate. Thus, the programme can commence. The first candidature to participate in the European Ph. D. programme has been received from a student in Krakow.
5. It is necesssary for EUROBIO to actively seek funding e.g. to support the movements of students participating in the European Ph. D. programme. In order to do this, it was agreed by the General Assembly to legalise the statutes so that EUROBIO can participate in programmes such as the EU Marie Curie, Bilateral Agreements between Italy and France and post-doctoral grant programmes. Professor Susanne was asked to organise this legalisation of the EUROBIO statutes.
6. Continuous Education. The General Assembly agreed that:
   A list should be prepared of all European Intensive Courses and Summer Schools.
   There should be an attempt to reach a wider public which might be achieved through the DGXXII programme CONNECT and by the introduction into european schools of a programme on BIOLOGY & SOCIETY (see document of D. Dunon ).
   There should be compulsory continuous education for all school teachers to be implemented as necessary.

7. Quality Assessment. Having set a mechanism by which EUROBIO can help departments with an assessment programme, we are seeking candidates to actively participate. A package of materials is in preparation and we should be proactive in ensuring that DGXXII knows both that the package exists and the nature of its contents.
8. Search Engine. There is a need to correct existing information already installed and to complete the information from those Universities yet to send material. Those Universities that were given the chance to enter information without payment have until 31 August to do so. Subsequently, additional Universities who send material, up to the first twenty Universities, will not pay. After this date, there will be a payment of 50 euros in order to participate. The General Assembly thanked the University of Thessaloniki for its efforts in initiating and maintaining the search engine.
9. The Toledo book will be updated with contributions about FR, GB, S, W, NO, HU, PL and RO.
10. TEMPUS III (2000-2002) Participants will include non-associated countries - Albania, BIH, Macedonia and eventually Croatia and Yugoslavia together with EU countries. Associated countries participate as donors. The most important aspects of the JEP will be Curriculum Development, University Management, and Mobility. Regional aspects will be emphasised.
    Professor Gahan was asked to act for EUROBIO concerning a mobility grant application for BIH which has a dead-line of 25 June 1999. This has been submitted to the Tempus Office with respect to a visit of one week to discuss the initiation of a strategy for Quality Management and Quality Assessment in Sarajevo University and BIH.

11. Dr Epton described the preparation for meeting of EUROBIO in 2000 (probably 2/3 June). A computer-based workshop will be established with some twenty machines available for use, and will include aspects of computer-based examining and assessment. Speakers will include a senior person from DGXXII and a speaker on Biology & Ethics. It is planned to give more time to discussion during each of the main events plus additional workshops. There will be a post-conference tour to Bangor organised by Dr. David Shaw.
12. Proposals for future EUROBIO meetings include Jena University in 2001 and possibly Dublin in 2002.
13. Eva Bodzsar and her colleagues and students were warmly thanked for the excellent way in which they had prepared and organised the meeting which ran very smoothly.