Inclusive and responsive universities in Europe

Michael HörigEUA Programme Manager

Malaga, Spain 25 May 2010

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I. Introduction to EUA Membership organisation of 850 members: universities and national rectors’ conferences in 46 countriesMission: To ensure that universities have the means to fulfill their three-fold public mission (research, teaching and service to society)Activities: Policy development, projects, research and publicationActive in EU and in a wider Europe: Unique overview of different processes that take place at different levels

EUA Membership as of 10.4.2009

« The voice of European Universities »800 university members34 National Rectors’ Conferences46 European countries

Source: Patrick Sanders, 2009

Trends 2010 Methodology28 Institutional site visits in 16

countries (incl. Russia)

HEI questionnaire: N=831

NRC questionnaire:

N=27 2 Focus groups

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Context setting: A decade of changeShape and size of systems are changing: Significant rise in number of enrolled students Significant increase in the number of institutions Mergers or federated structures

Social dimension: Increased awareness Most countries have a LLL strategy. Definitions &

parameters vary, but there is general agreement that the imperative is to ensure that HE is available to citizens throughout their lifetimes and not just to school-leavers on a full-time basis

National strategy for widening participation in 14 countries …6…

The metamorphosis of European HEMore competition:Brain warsRankingsMarketing More cooperation:

With other HEIs With stakeholders

More responsiveness: LLL agenda Access

EUA Prague declaration (2009)For inclusive and responsive universities pursuing their

primary tasks of teaching and research this requires:1. Widening opportunities for participation and completion2. Improving researcher careers3. Providing relevant and innovative study programmes4. Developing distinctive institutional research profiles

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EUA Prague declaration (2009)For strong and flexible universities pursuing excellence

in their different missions this also requires: 5. Shaping, reinforcing, and implementing autonomy6. Increasing and diversifying income7. Enhancing quality and improving transparency8. Promoting internationalisation9. Increasing and improving the quality of mobility10. Developing partnerships

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Inclusive and Responsive universitiesConclusions EUA Rotterdam conference 2008:An inclusive and responsive university:- Knows its audience- Cooperates with stakeholders- Provides incentives for reaching new audiences- Creates communities of learners- Supports diversity of practices- Enhances quality and competitiveness- Supports interaction between education, research and

innovation Reflected in the EUA LLL Charter

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European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning

European Universities commit to…1. Embedding concepts of widening access & LLL in their strategies2. Providing education & learning to a diversified student population3. Adapting study programmes to enhance widening participation4. Providing appropriate guidance & counselling service5. Recognising prior learning6. Embracing LLL in quality culture7. Strengthening the research/teaching links in a perspective of LLL8. Consolidating Bologna reforms designed to promote flexible

learning environments9. Developing partnerships at all levels to provide relevant

programmes10. Acting as role models of LLL institutions

Responding to the challenges of LLL Lifelong learning is regarded either

as a strategy within which all education is provided in a lifelong perspective (five countries subscribe to this concept)

as providing of a series of activities outside mainstream education(can be found in nearly all European HEIs)

Little growth in LLL institutional strategies Renewed challenge to ensure that the introduction of

student-centred learning facilitate European citizens access to higher education

In cooperation with other stakeholders Autonomy to rise to the challenge

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Do universities value (student) diversity?

Student diversity perceived as imposed reality (Diversity study) Exception: United Kingdom Contrast with debate in USA

Not part of institutional identityRelated to institutional autonomy discussion (selection + recognition)Different perceptions between and within countries

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Student servicesServices are difficult to define and compare, because responsibility lies with different agencies in different countries.Career guidance is the fastest growing area, followed by growth in psychological counselling services. Clear evidence in Trends & through FEDORA network that guidance and counselling are inadequate for the challenges of greater and more diversified student profilesIt is a necessity... but often overlooked.

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Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies (SIRUS) Project

Aims:Supporting universities in developing and enhancing lifelong learning strategiesImplementing and testing the commitments adopted in the European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning Ensuring the wide dissemination of existing best practices in the field to universities, governments and stakeholdersContributing to the further development of policy recommendations.

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SIRUS (cont.)29 selected universities will:

perform a SWOT analysis, using the LLL Charter as a framework for discussiondesign and adapt their institutional LLL strategy Based on the SWOT analysis results In consultation with their institutional leadership And benefiting from the peer review in the thematic

working groups

Outcomes are expected in September 2011: publication and dissemination conference

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European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning

Universities call on governments to commit to:1. Recognising the university contribution to LLL as a major benefit

to individuals & society2. Promoting social equity & an inclusive learning society3. Including LLL objectives in their national QA systems4. Supporting the development of appropriate guidance/counselling 5. Recognising prior learning6. Removing legal obstacles that prevent potential learners from

responding to LLL opportunities7. Ensuring the necessary autonomy & incentives8. Encouraging partnerships, especially at regional level 9. Informing and encouraging citizens to take advantage of LLL

opportunities offered by universities10. Similarly acting as role models in relation to their own employees.

Widening participation in HE needs...A targeted effort to reduce inequity in the education systemCooperation at the European levelRaising aspirations and educational attainmentBetter information provisionA lifelong learning cultureData monitoring to identify underrepresented groupsIncentives and means for universities to Offer flexible curricula and learning paths Enhance access, retention and employability Select students according to their abilities

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What kind of citizens does Europe need for the 21st century?

They don’t fall out of the sky Diversity will increase => How can this become an asset? What are the cultural implications? What is needed?

Lifelong access to learning Student-centred learning Diversification of institutional missions and profiles Institutional autonomy, a condition for responsiveness

A partnership to support quality, creativity & innovationA European higher education identity in the worldThe European Knowledge Area Refocus on wider goals, not technicalities

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Thank you!Michael Hörig

EUA Progamme ManagerMichael.horig@eua.be

www.eua.be