Formation Continue du Supérieur

eucen has always recognised the importance of having close links with National and Regional Networks focused on LLL and CE.
The number of National and Regional Networks that are members of eucen has increased steadily. We not only have links to formal networks but also to informal groups that have a real interest in discussing the needs and current climate of LLL and CE in their country.

What can eucen do for National Networks?
- eucen website resources and links to Network member webpages
- Meetings of Network Representatives and Poster Sessions at eucen Conferences
- Organise seminars or study visits
- Roles in eucen projects
- Support for new networks
- Support for regional groupings of National Networks
- Support project development and lobbying at national and European levels
- eucen representation at Network Conferences. More...

eucen has an important role in the policy making process. It is represented on a number of committees and advisory panels at European level and provides experts and expert teams for international projects and consultancy to universities wishing to develop lifelong learning strategies and actions. Through conferences, projects and networking activities we provide a wide range of opportunities for staff and curriculum development, for the sharing of best practice and for the development of international contacts for ULLL. More...

Assist ULLL policy makers in selecting the most appropriate and effective policies for their own institutions
Provide a forum in which ideas about ULLL can be discussed
Provide an accurate and rapid source of information to members on ULLL in European countries
Help members to strengthen their contacts with employers and the professions in European countries
Encourage the exchange of information between universities and employers to identify their changing LLL needs
Provide academic and administrative support with members working together to expand their LLL provision
Support members wishing to develop European LLL research
Provide opportunities for LLL staff development through staff exchange
Seek opportunities for student exchange. More...

Enable the exchange of experience and information between members on current lifelong learning regulations and policies and establish contacts with the relevant European bodies
Provide contacts for members with lifelong learning policy makers and practitioners in a range of universities throughout Europe
Seek to harmonise levels of quality for ULLL among members and to maintain standards for effective monitoring
Contribute to the development of an effective university credit transfer system that would be acceptable within the network
Seek to influence European policy on ULLL. More...

Enable members to serve most effectively the people of Europe, particularly in their own regions, through the provision of high quality lifelong learning
Influence the development of university lifelong learning policy throughout Europe
Promote a European model of lifelong learning based on democracy, equal rights and social justice
Contribute to a lifelong learning policy that takes into account economic and social needs
Promote interaction in order to identify and mobilise resources within the Association network. More...

The definition of ULLL varies between countries and universities. eucen seeks to include this rich diversity and to have a coherent focus for our activities. We have therefore adopted the following definition of University Lifelong Learning (ULLL):
"ULLL is the provision by higher education institutions of learning opportunities, services and research for: the personal and professional development of a wide range of individuals - lifelong and lifewide; and the social, cultural and economic development of communities and the region. It is at university level and research-based; it focuses primarily on the needs of the learners; and it is often developed and/or provided in collaboration with stakeholders and external actors". More...

To contribute to the economic and cultural life of Europe through the promotion and advancement of lifelong learning within higher education institutions in Europe and elsewhere
To foster universities' influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe
In furtherance of the above-mentioned objectives the Association shall have, amongst its functions, the following:
To provide a forum for the development, interchange and dissemination of innovation and good practice on lifelong learning within European higher education
To encourage high standards in all areas of lifelong learning and to harmonise levels of quality for lifelong learning among its members
To represent the interests of the lifelong learning community within higher education and to European policymakers
To facilitate communication, liaison and collaboration with other appropriate bodies and organisations
To promote and conduct research into lifelong learning and to disseminate the results of this research
To obtain, collect and receive money, funds and other property and to administer them in pursuance of the objectives of the Association
The Association shall ensure that its objectives and activities remain non profit-making. More...

INNOVATIONS AND PRACTICES IN EVALUATION
The process of “Program Development” is usually seen as divided into four stages, more or less distinct or separated. But in practice could be recurrent: Needs analysis – Design – Implementation – Evaluation. The eucen 2014 Autumn Seminar was dedicated to the first and second steps. The eucen 2015 Autumn Seminar will focus on the last step: Evaluation.
Evaluation can have many objects: participants’ satisfaction, participants’ learning outcomes, participants’ learning process, the training system itself, impact of the tranning on the participants careers, impact on the participants’ organisation. The evaluation can be done by the students, by the faculty, by external experts, … It is indeed a large and multi-faceted concept.
From the participants point of view but also for their employers, any training activity is seen as a strategic investment in terms of time, money, professional, social and personal impact, … The universities organising ULLL institutions are very often faced with this difficult question of demonstrating the effectiveness and the impact of their training programmes. To evaluate training effectiveness and impact is an old issue and a current challenge. The presentation of two researchers will give a view on this aspect of evaluation.
The main goals of the eucen 2015 Autumn Seminar are twofold:

• exchange methods and practices on this process of evaluation University Continuing Education
• bring research and practice together with the aim of enriching practice with research and nourishing research with practice

The autumn seminar is structured to stimulate exchange, gather new ideas and work together towards new projects and collaborations.
You have the chance to present your activities during the poster session.
We have invited two researchers to present their work on the topic of the transferability of the training into the workplace and the evaluation of the impact of the training on the professional career. The brainstorming session that follows is the opportunity to challenge the researchers and the practitioners through dialogue.
The learning café in the afternoon, in three strands, will allow to give:

• inputs on evaluation to newcomers in the field
• views about innovative practices
• a more global view with aspects of quality assurance

The last part of the seminar is a “Test the tools” session giving the chance to discover results and tools developed in european projects.

Innovations and Practices in Evaluation

Educating the World through Asia