SIRUS - Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies

EUA, in a Consortium with the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU), the European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) and the European Access Network (EAN), launched a project entitled ‘Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies (SIRUS)’, to support Europe’s universities in implementing the commitments made in the European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning and thus assist them in developing their specific role as lifelong learning institutions forming a central pillar of the Europe of Knowledge. This project offers universities with different profiles and interests in lifelong learning (LLL), and which are at different stages of LLL implementation, an opportunity to develop and enhance their strategic LLL approaches, in interactive discussion with colleagues from all over Europe. At the same time, it will allow them to contribute to the development of policy recommendations for the European Higher Education Area.
Project Objectives
•    Supporting universities in developing and enhancing lifelong learning strategies
•    Implementing and testing the commitments adopted in the European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning, using the Charter as a basis for an institutional SWOT analysis and as a framework for discussion
•    Ensuring the wide dissemination of existing best practices in the field to universities, governments and stakeholders
•    Contributing to the further development of policy recommendations.
Methodology
A group of 20 universities (selected through an open call) will participate in a series of meetings (four in total) between March 2010 and February 2011. Universities will be clustered in thematic networks according to their indicated preference, and will work together to develop and enhance their institutional LLL strategy.
Call for Participation
Both universities aspiring to develop a strategy on lifelong learning and universities wanting to revise their current strategy are invited to apply. Please read the call for participation for further information and use the application form. Deadline for receipt of applications: 11 December 2009, 12.00 (midday) CET.
Results
The project will publish in the summer of 2011 a compendium based on the experiences of the participating universities and aiming at sharing good practices on university LLL strategies at the European level. This compendium will be presented to a larger audience at a dissemination conference in September 2011.
Contact: Michael Hörig, Programme manager, Michael.horig@remove-this.eua.be.