Universities Challenged: Better Higher Education through a Better Ranking System in Europe?

29th June 2010, Silken Hotel, Brussels.
The concept of university rankings in Europe has generally been accepted as an essential resource for prospective students because "Comparable information on higher education institutions and their teaching and research programmes should make it easier for students and researchers to make informed choices on where and what to study and where to work. Better information would also help policy-makers at institutional, national and European levels develop future strategies in higher education”. The relative merit between the growing numbers of ranking systems, however, has emerged as a subject for vigorous debate.
Recognising the need for clarity, the European Commission launched a new initiative "for the design and testing of a new multi-dimensional university ranking system with global outreach" that is also independent from public authorities and universities. It is hoped that through its emergence as a top priority on the EU higher education agenda, a new comprehensive ranking system will facilitate not only greater transparency and accountability of universities but also help policymakers to develop longer term strategies as part of the broader HE modernisation agenda.
With universities widely regarded as a measure of national economic achievements and aspirations in a globalised market, the need for a clearer and more representative ranking system has never been more paramount. This special International Symposium provides a timely opportunity for Universities and other stakeholders across Europe to examine the overhaul of the university ranking system within the context of the wider HE reform process. The symposium will consider the challenges that lie ahead in terms of constellation between rankings, quality assurance systems and standards – barriers that must be overcome in order to achieve the vision of creating a European Higher Education Area with a robust framework to improve the comparative quality and competitiveness of universities across Europe.
The Centre for Parliamentary Studies welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate. Register your place.