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Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies: Dissemination conference and new report on ‘Engaging in Lifelong Learning’
September 08, 2011
Lifelong learning (LLL) has become increasingly important for universities, as they are in a critical position to link it to their research and teaching activities, and thus develop institutional responses to the economic downturn and demographic change.
The project “Engaging in Lifelong Learning: Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies (SIRUS)” explored the different factors that enable universities across Europe to develop successful lifelong learning strategies. It brought together 29 EUA members from 18 countries, who, over a series of workshops, shared experience and developed their institutional LLL strategies.
Co-funded under the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme, it was carried out by EUA in collaboration with the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU), the European Access Network (EAN) and the European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN). The project is one of the measures that EUA has launched to take up the 2008 “European Universities’ Charter for Lifelong Learning".
On 31 August / 1 September, at a final conference hosted by the University of Southampton (UK), the project report “Engaging in Lifelong Learning: Shaping Inclusive and Responsive University Strategies (SIRUS)” was presented by the authors, Hanne Smidt and Andrée Sursock.
A major conclusion of the conference has been that, in order to be successful, lifelong learning needs to be better integrated into the university and linked to its other missions. To quote one example, it has been highlighted that, to sustain and develop LLL, continuous support of the institutional leadership is key.
Speakers and participants addressed the issue of building LLL into the university culture, and developing it as a core element for its civic engagement. There was also general agreement among participants that the concept of the ‘engaged university’, which the SIRUS report refers to, might be a way for promoting LLL – inside and outside the institution – and linking it to research and learning as part of a third mission of engaging with the local community and employers.
A copy of the report is available here.
For more information about the programme and the presentations click here.
Photo: © University of Southampton. From left to right: Lesley Matthews, Mayoress of Southampton; Helena Nazaré, EUA Board member and President-elect, Terry Matthews, Mayor of Southampton; Debra Humphris, Pro Vice-Chancellor Education of the University of Southampton.