Lifelong learning and universities

Danube Rectors’ Conference 2008

Budapest

Gábor Halász(ELTE, Budapest)

The relevance of lifelong learning for universities

(Why do we have to deal with this?)

• A dominant paradigm of European and global education policy thinking

• A key component of the EHEA • A theme already high on the agenda of D

RC• This is already a priority in an increasing

number of DRC universities

Why do universities move towards LLL?

• Demographic changes• National and European/global policy

imperatives– National LLL policies– EHEA (The „Bologna process”, new Lisbon oriented

EU policy on universities)

• Institutional decisions– reactions to economic/financial/market pressures– proactive strategies

The meaning of LLL for Universities

• Different interpretations– narrower (e.g. CPE courses for adults)

– broader (e.g. a new way to organise teaching and learning and approaching regional cooperation)

• Different applications – various ULLL indicators

The meaning of LLL for Universities

• An opportunity – to cope with the demographic challenge– to achieve further growth and development– to renew work and organisation

• A challenge– the risks of being influenced by too short-term

economic interests– risks of concessions in quality– risks of losing balance (advanced research mission)

Thank you for your attention