The Engaged University

Register now for Conference: The Engaged University, Southampton, UK (31 August – 1 September 2011). This conference, organised by EUA, the European Access Network (EAN), the European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) and the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU), will focus on strategic institutional approaches to lifelong learning.
Hosted by the University of Southampton, the conference follows up the 2008 European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning. It is based on the results of the EC-funded project “Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies Project – SIRUS”, a project that brought together 29 universities from 18 European countries, over the last two years, to develop, enhance and compare institutional lifelong learning strategies. The conference will present and discuss lifelong learning as a key strategic orientation of Europe’s higher education institutions via the concept of the engaged university: a university that does not only respond to societal needs, but positions itself to build cooperation and partnerships in a proactive and agenda-setting manner.
The emergence of knowledge economies and societies, regional clusters as well as demographic changes have resulted into changing demands for tertiary teaching and learning. There is an increased need for continued professional education and reorientation, and for offering flexible learning paths for traditional and non-traditional students. Universities across Europe have developed numerous initiatives to respond to the needs of more diverse learners.
Therefore, from a niche activity, lifelong learning has developed into a core strategic issue for today’s higher education institutions and has become of vital importance for European society.
The aims of the conference
The conference follows up the 2008 European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning. It is based on the results of the EC-funded project “Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies – SIRUS”, a project that brought together 29 universities from 18 European countries, over the last two years, to develop, enhance and compare institutional lifelong learning strategies. It has been organised by EUA, in cooperation with the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU), the European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) and the European Access Network (EAN). The conference will present and discuss the new strategic orientation of Europe’s higher education via the concept of an engaged university: a university that does not only respond to societal needs, but positions itself to build cooperation and partnerships in a proactive and agenda-setting manner.
Audience
The conference seeks to attract all those who in are charge of strategic decision making in higher education learning and teaching, institutional senior lifelong learning practitioners, policy makers, representatives of national and local governments, and public and private employers who have an interest in promoting the LLL agenda. Please note the registration deadline is 12 August 2011. For more information about participation, please click here.