Recognition of Prior Learning and Validation of non-formal and informal learning

The University of Gdanks in Poland has organised its 7th conference to assist attaining academic objectives and contribute to the development of the University. The full name of the initiative is: RHEA (Redesigning of Higher Education and Academy).
The 7th conference has been organised in the context of the changes currently occurring in Polish higher education system. The new Polish Higher Education Act adopted in March 2011 works on the introduction of National Qualifications Framework, to create a challenge for Polish higher education institutions to modernize teaching and learning processes related to recognition of prior learning (RPL) and validation of non-formal and informal learning. However, this is also a chance for Polish higher education sector because experience of other countries shows that proper implementation of RPL broadens access to higher education and leads to an increase in the number of students.
The aim of the conference was to present solutions adopted in countries such as Estonia, France and the UK and discuss how Polish HE institutions can draw on their experiences in order to create a more open and efficient system of education that would best meet expectations and ambitions of Polish students. The keynote speakers were EUCEN members, experts in the discussed area: Ülle Kesli (University of Tatu), Jean-Marie Filloque (University of Brest) and Peter Lassey (University of Bradford).
You can visit the conference pages following this links: Conference page, Programme. Congratulations to the University of Gdanks for their initiatives!
RHEA [Redesigning of Higher Education and Academy]
Conference: RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING AND VALIDATION OF NON-FORMAL AND INFORMAL LEARNING. A CHALLENGE FOR POLISH HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM, Gdańsk, 9th December 2011.
Conference aims:
The conference is organized in the context of changes currently occurring in Polish higher education system. The new Polish Higher Education Act adopted in March 2011 and works on the introduction of National Qualifications Framework create a challenge for Polish higher education institutions to modernize teaching and learning processes related to recognition of prior learning (RPL) and validation of non-formal and informal learning. However, this is also a chance for Polish higher education sector because experience of other countries shows that proper implementation of RPL broadens access to higher education and leads to an increase in the number of students.
The aim of the conference is to present solutions adopted in countries such as Estonia, France and the UK and discuss how Polish HE institutions can draw on their experiences in order to create a more open and efficient system of education that would best meet expectations and ambitions of Polish students.
This initiative of the University of Gdańsk is to assist in attaining academic objectives and contribute to the development of the University. The full name of the initiative is: RHEA (Redesigning of Higher Education and Academy).
Lets us start the information about the conferences with a brief reference to the ancient times. Rea (or Latin: Rhea) is a mythological Titanide, mother of gods, inter alia, Zeus and Hera, the so called “Great Mother”.
The acronym referring to her name links the title of the initiative with its objectives and the expected results. As it is about enabling a certain birth. Maybe RHEA, as a series of conferences, will be a solution and – supporting dealing with the everyday problems of academic life – will both produce generalities in thinking about higher education in the years to come and set directions for the development of education at the University of Gdańsk and other schools of higher education.
RHEA conferences are to provide an opportunity for creative redesigning of the existing reality and to contribute to creating such conditions of work for academic staff and students in which both groups will be able to develop freely, serving people (as the oath they take says) wherever they are.
This pointing out to the place is not insignificant in describing the objectives of RHEA conferences. It can constitute a kind of direct reference to the Bologna Process and the idea of learning without borders it implements; borders of any kind – cultural, age, economic, social or geographical.
According to the directions set Bologna, within RHEA conferences we want to enable coherent and fruitful scientific research and educational work of our academics and fully satisfactory, promising in terms of future, learning of our students in Europe. We want to make their development plans realistic and their dreams come true. We want to create a learning academic community.
Its European dimension is reflected by one of the powerful slogans of the Bologna Process: European Higher Education Area.
The tasks described here are also dealt with by the Polish Bologna Experts Team [1], which supports Polish academic community and – inter alia, through RHEA conferences, in cooperation with the University of Gdańsk – performs its functions.
They concentrate on providing conditions in which the quality of life of the Europeans – through all their lives long – will be able to improve due to education, and the borders between the countries eliminated by the system of studies will make studying a really independent, long-lasting, wonderful intellectual adventure.
RHEA conferences involve academic staff (research-teaching employees of various Polish schools of higher education, form the University of Gdańsk, in particular) and visitors – in the role of experts, discussion participants and speakers – invited, depending on the subject matter of the conference, from Poland and abroad. They started from the debate about the problems at the meeting point of school and academic education, participated by the Minister of Education -Katarzyna Hall and GraŜyna Prawelska-Skrzypek (Ministry of Science and Higher Education).
[1] Teams of Bologna Experts appointed in individual countries by the minister responsible for higher education. With the funds allocated by the European Commission under the programme “Lifelong learning” they promote the solutions developed under the Bologna Process and help introduce them to programme and structural solutions in national higher educational systems. Foundation for the Development of Educational System, playing the role of National Agency for “Lifelong learning” programme, is an organizational support for the Polish Team of Bologna Experts. All the conferences of RHEA series are co-organized by that Foundation and the University of Gdańsk and have the status of the conferences approved by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the so called Bologna Conferences.
The themes of the seven RHEA conferences held so far:
I. “School and Academic Education in Poland. Flexibility and Rigidity of the Educational System in the Light of Lifelong Learning and Availability of Higher Education”, 28 November, 2008
II. “Significance of Internal Quality Assurance Systems in the Light of New Approach to Accrediting. Study Programmes”, 13 March 2009.
III. “Effects of Learning – Opportunities and Challenges for Higher Education in Poland”, 26 June 2009
IV. “History of Life Is a History of Learning. Open University and Non-Traditional Students in Polish Higher Education System”, 11 December 2009.
V. “EducationalObligations of University in a Society without Elites”, 25 June 2010
VI. “Problem Based Learning(PBL) vs. Qualifications Framework”, 25 March 2011
VII. “ Recognition of prior learning and validation of non-formal and informal learning.