25th Magna Carta Universitatum Conference. Bologna, Italy. 19, 20

September, 2013.

Global Challenges, Cities and Universities.

Maria Helena Nazaré

Former Rector Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal. EUA President

• Global Challenges: Climate Change (sea level rise,

extreme weather..), Depletion of Natural Resources (water,

fossil fuel..), Migrations, Unbalanced Demographics,

enlarging disparity in social and economic opportunities

• Cities: Coastal cities. Sea level, Human concentration,

migrants.

• Universities as part of the solution. Contributing to the

public understanding of Science and informing

public policies. Examples from a University in a coastal

City.

Sea level rise -- Coastal cities

Heat waves and Drought.

Luxury hotel side by side with life in the Favelas

Educate citizens, train knowledge workers and researchers

Diverse missions in basic and collaborative research Interdisciplinary research skills and expertise Embeddedness in cities and regions as components of

social and economic development Focal points for dialogue and knowledge exchange with

society International cooperation building upon institutional

historical and cultural links – strengths and capacities

Assets

Broaden participation in higher education to build a competitive workforce. Internationalize at undergraduate and pos graduate level. Welcome migrants.

Plan the offer: at regional and national level but also across border.

Continuing and Life Long. Integrate minorities and help build intergenerational bridges.

New modes of delivery. Flexible learning pathways. Entrepreneurship. Quality Assurance.

Education

Multi and Inter disciplinary. Change Structures. Abolish barriers among disciplines. Behavioral sciences are important.

Pool resources, (joint brains, joint funds, go across borders, joint business and hire the best).

Open Access to Data and Science!

Use league Tables in a smart way! To drive policies. Not to be lead by them!

Research. Collaboration and Competition

Playing the global game locally

The region where the university is located should feel the benefice of it’s action, economically, socially and culturally. Is not incompatible with scoring high on the rankings and league tables.

Not a single model of university. Segmented mission and clear vision are pillars for sustainability. Leadership matters.

A University in a coastal City.

(Informing Public Policy)

The City.

Ria de Aveiro. (45 Km long, 11Km wide)

Coastal Erosion

Guidelines rebuilding primary coastal dunes, revitalization of the urban waterfront in the coastal lagoon.

Traditional activities: Fishing ….

Quality of water.

Wetlands.

Conservation strategies of the natural habitat.

Industrial environment

Qulity of the air. Membership of the technical committees in suport of normative action relative to air quality and control of atmospheric polutants.

Salt Marshes; Flor do Sal

Valorisation of resources.

Healthy Flamingos

All Universities share the responsability to contribute to the process of dealing with the XXI Societal Challenges:

Contribute to the public understanding of Science and inform public policies

Educate sustainability-aware citizens and train ethically-bound professionals

The region where the university is located should feel the benefice of that action, economically, socially and culturally. Is not incompatible with scoring high on the rankings and league tables.

Not a single model of university. Segmented mission and clear vision are pillars for sustainability. Leadership matters.

References: Climate Change: Impacts, vulnerabilities band adaptation in developing countries. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Climate Change costs. Allianz Knowledge.

http://knowledge.allianz.com/climate/agenda/?716/global-warming-climate-change-costs

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/05/climate-change-agriculture/

http://unfcc.int/resource/docs/publications/impacts.pdf