Networking in the modern knowledge society: experiences from the

European Network for Universities of Applied Sciences (UASNET)

South African Technology Network (SATN) Conference, July 2009

Tamara Wanker (wanker@hbo-raad.nl)

HBO-raad (Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences)

www.uasnet.eu

European Network for Universities of Applied Sciences

(UASNET)----------------------------------------

• Background • Overall goal and activities• Current European project

– Justification, goals, activities, results• Thoughts for further consideration

Background UASNET and first results

---------------------------------------------------Informal grouping end 2004 of 8 partners

Wish to clarify professionally oriented higher education within Europe

↓

‘BaLaMa’-project: ‘Bachelor for the Labour Market’

•In-depth country reports and brochure

•Shared profile and set of general descriptors

•Berlin Conference March’07, Study visit October ‘07

UASNET today: partners

---------------------------------------------------11 National Associations for Universities of Applied Sciences:

The Netherlands (2004) Germany (2004)

Ireland (2004) Austria (2004)

Denmark (2004) Switzerland (2004)

Finland (2004) France (2008)

Estonia (2004) Portugal (2008)

Lithuania (2008)

UASNET today: overall goal and activities

---------------------------------------------------Informal Network for Universities of Applied Sciences

Focuses on:

•Profile of UAS in Europe:

-Peer learning activities/investigations> European projects

-EU lobby > Task Force

•International exchange of national developments

•Platform for UAS and partners from business, SMEs, public sector

The new European Project of UASNET ‘EDUPROF’:

‘Educating the new European Professional in the knowledge society’

------------------------------------------------------------

3 year project: October 2008 - October 2011

Financed by:

•European Commission (Lifelong Learning Programme, Erasmus, Structural Networks),

•Dutch Ministry of Education,

•Municipality of the Hague

•Cooperating partners

EDUPROF: Deepen and broaden UASNET

---------------------------------------------------Deepening:

•focus on core element of professional education mission UAS: challenge to integrate the combination of education and applied research in the curricula of the new European professional, placing UAS in the middle of the knowledge triangle

Broadening:

•Inviting other Associations of UAS and their member institutes

•European Stakeholders’ Groups as sounding board:

EARTO, UEAPME, Errin

Relevance of the new project ‘EDUPROF’

---------------------------------------------------

Justification:

• Align education in the best possible way to professional practice

• Assist world of work (SMEs, business, public sector) with concrete innovation demands

focus on applied research

1. Demand from world of work for new professional

European knowledge society demands highly skilled professionals, equipped for fast-changing professional practice, who can handle:• new knowledge which is available at an ever

increasing rate, • the development of innovative solutions which can be

applied in practice without too much transfer problems,

• the use of a sound multidisciplinary approach, • and the integration of professional practice in the

European context

UAS are in the process of adjusting their education. The key to bridge the gap from education to fast changing professional practice > applied research

2. Concrete innovation demands from world of work

---------------------------------------------------Applied research enables UAS to:

•Keep in close contact with innovative demands from the world of work

•Offer assistance in developing innovative solutions for professional practice

•Keep education up-to-date to present and future demands

•Meet further education needs from the life long learning professional

> UAS contribute to the knowledge society and

life long learning in Europe

Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS)

ResearchEducation

Skills of the professional

knowledge worker

Innovation

Putting the pieces together: UAS as linking pin in the knowledge triangle

Education Innovation

Skills professional

Research

Now it is time for the European dimension on applied research:

---------------------------------------------------

Central issue for UAS and society

Contributes to social and economic goals of Europe

↓

Mirror regional and national experiences of individual institutes and stakeholders to the European level

Offer European platform for UAS, new partners and stakeholders

Expected outcomes

---------------------------------------------------1. Quality applied research (internal goal)>How to ensure and embed research of good quality:• Share best practices, networking• challenge: standing networks of professionals from

UAS and stakeholders (to set up joint activities, develop new initiatives)

2. Boost applied research (external goal)

> Recognition and funding:

• More visibility• Better understanding• More and better funding and preconditions• Adjusted European programmes for applied research

Content of the ‘EDUPROF’ Project: activities

---------------------------------------------------Phase I: •Research process•International Conference

Phase II:•Expert meetings•Study visits•Detailed benchmark (qualitative approach indicators)

•Closure Event•Website www.uasnet.eu•Brochure

First results of the ‘EDUPROF’ Project1. Research report ‘Research at Universities of Applied

Sciences in Europe. Conditions, achievements and perspectives.‘

2. International Conference, February 20093. Position Paper towards Bologna 20204. Evening Reception with European Commission and

Permanent Representatives, April 20095. Bologna declaration:

Education, research and innovation15. “Higher education should be based at all levels on state of the art research and development thus fostering innovation and creativity in society. We recognise the potential of higher education programmes, including those based on applied science, to foster innovation.

6. Task Force for EU lobby on innovation

Assessment (1)External commitment

Succes: Challenge:

-connect to EU agenda -concrete policy support

-reputation -justification focus

-overall argumentation -concrete examples (mobilizing experts)

Link project – lobby? -become more visible and focused

Ongoing developments -new thoughts, reframing message, align activities

Assessment (2)Internal commitmentSucces: Challenge:-Team national associations -connecting professionals-European Network -standing sub-networks-doors open for lobby -input from UAS

-wishes from all Network partners

Shared ambitions? pro-active partners, followers, sleeping partners, mandate at home

Manage the Network: distribution of workload, capacity, know-how

Grasp spin-off opportunities

Thoughts for further consideration…Project Lobby*Good quality+pre-conditions * Recognition and fundingexpert meetings + benchmark on ‘HOW’:• Quality assurance• Funding, sustainability,

research priorities• Partnerships• HRM, organising research in UAS• Link education – research –

professional practice*Follow-up: ‘EDUPROF 2’ * Reframing messageThematic Networks (shift from professional

practice and innovation to addressing broad societalthemes)

• Which societal themes? * Adjusting programmes, • Niches? new programme, next

project• Cluster collaboration?• Regional links?

www.uasnet.eu

•About us•Current EDUPROF project•Film UASNET conference February 2009•Position Paper Bologna/Leuven 2020•Research report