Welcome by the Host University
The Rectors of the Technical University of Lisbon (UTL), the New University of Lisbon (Nova), the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), the Open University (UA) and I, the Rector of the University of Lisbon (UL), welcome you all to the 4th EUA Convention of European Higher Education Institutions. This Convention, which is supported by the Portuguese Rectors Conference (CRUP), will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from the 29th till the 31st of March 2007.
Europe's universities beyond 2010 - diversity with a common purpose is the chosen theme for this EUA Convention 2007. We are expecting about 600 participants, including European and worldwide university leaders, partners and stakeholders. Debate will focus on how universities are supposed to respond to the growing social demands in a context of rapid globalisation and Bologna implementation, in connection with the Lisbon Strategy.
This Convention is expected to be an important forum for debating several issues around one central theme: how do European universities view their role after 2010, within the framework of building the European knowledge society? Strategically, the Convention’s broad agenda aims at producing a declaration to be presented to the Bologna EU ministerial meeting in London, May 2007, and to be widely disseminated among policy makers at national and European levels.
Lisbon is an open city, full of history, balancing tradition and innovation, with a deep understanding of diversity. It is, therefore, a suitable and attractive cultural venue for this Convention, joining together four main Portuguese universities in its organisation. We will do our best to make both delegates and their companions feel supported and at ease.
Thank you for joining this event, coming here to work around some of the issues that will promote a stronger European universities’ network and a stronger European knowledge area.
We look forward to meeting you at the EUA Convention 2007.
António Sampaio da Nóvoa
The Rector of the University of Lisbon