Open and flexible learning as a strategy for lifelong learning

A triple track policy

e-Learning Russia: e-Learning Opportunities Today

Moscow, 3-4 June 2010

Piet Henderikx, Secretary General EADTU

Lifelong learning and European policy

• Bologna process, Bologna Follow Up Group• Lisbon strategy, Europe 2020• EUA, Charter of Lifelong Learning• Leuven Communiqué

Gap between policy and reality, although high quality models and good practice are in place

The knowledge society in the 21th century

• Knowledge is multiplied every 5-10 years in all fields• Never seen societal impact and continuous change• Jobs require more complex competencies• values, ethical choices and societal coherence become major challenges

Hence, a new role of universities as driving forces for the knowledge society and innovation – the knowledge triangle

A sense of urgency is needed: benchmarks

• European Council (2009): 40% higher education diploma benchmark (30-40y) and an average participation of 15% of mature students (25-64y) • Leuven Communiqué (2009): Lifelong learning is a public responsibility, integral part of national education systems• EUA: LLL a central part of the mission of universities and hence of university excellence

Participation rate is far below the benchmark. Innovative approaches to LLL urgently necessary

Universities in the 21st century

• universities as nodes of regional and international knowledge networks: pro-active driving forces in the circulation of knowledge• apart from research and innovation, three educational tasks:

• Knowledge transmitters to professional and regional communities (innovative regions)

• Suppliers of formal degree education• Providers of customized education and training on demand

LLL will permeate the life of the universities as well as the teaching and learning environment of formal education

A triple track approach to LLL for Europe 2020

• Open knowledge sharing via informal learning channels (open access, open innovation, open educational resources) • Open and flexible degree education (open university model)• Flexible education/training on demand for companies and the public sector

This triple track approach is capitalizing on current developments and will make lifelong learning a reality by reaching out to the majority of people

Track 1: Open access

• open access reviews, open archives, repositories on line• DRIVER: the European portal for open access• Berlin Declaration (2007)• university policy: some universities request their staff to publish in open access

Universities are aware of the fact that scientific information should be freely accessible – science should not be a closed circuit

Track 1: Open innovation

• open innovation has advantages over closed innovation• divergent knowledge, beyond the borders of the own organisation• universities and networked innovation channels for regional innovation• network tools that link universities and companies, sme’s, public services, consultants (relevant, up to date, quick, structuring, stimulating,…)• interaction, co-creation of knowledge • IMEC, Leuven: micro-electronics, (bio)nanotechnology, …

Innovative knowledge produced by universities should be valorised throughout interactive networks with companies and professional networks – towards innovative regions

Imec and the World’s Largest Industry Commitment Imec and the World’s Largest Industry Commitment to Semiconductor Research in Partnershipto Semiconductor Research in PartnershipImec and the World’s Largest Industry Commitment Imec and the World’s Largest Industry Commitment to Semiconductor Research in Partnershipto Semiconductor Research in Partnership

LamRESEARCH

STMicroelectronics

IMECIMEC

Triple Helix @ Leuven

university

industry

government

Bio-incubator I:Bio-incubator I::

Track 1: Open educational resources

• M.I.T., Open Courseware Consortium • US, Japan, China • In Europe: United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain• OpenLearn (UKOU): the second generation of OER (courses for independent learning)• OpenER (OUNL); MORIL, OER-HE (EADTU)• Objectives OER: widening participation; sharing and re-using content in university networks, intercampus education, international cooperation; study orientation/preparation of (international) students; sharing knowledge with other organisations, companies, sme’s, professional communities; community education, education for citizenship; profiling the university• HEFCE, wikiwijs•Global Task Force with UNESCO/ICDE; global platform

OER are a major opportunity for informal eduaction and networked cooperation

Track 1: Towards accessible and interactive university-led platforms for open knowledge sharing and regional knowledge circulation

• Based on a combination of approaches: open access, open innovation and open educational resources• Discipline or project (innovation) based• Institutional strategy and framework, leadership• Linked with professional networks, communities, sme’s…

Track 1 is the basis for knowledge circulation in a regional development and international cooperation context. It is also part of a rich learning environment for tracks 2 and 3, including the networks with other organisations and professionals

Altaline Technologies

Telindus

Arcadiz

Telecom

Topcom

Weidmuller

Delta Design

Netsize

CDM

Tyco Electronics

Xplanation

Xentec Loft33

Smash Uitgeverij Averbode

Opikanoba

Telraam

Hypervision

EMD

Better Access

Reymen

Data Center

Ardatis

Sitelcom

Spacechecker

X-Plane SIMAC

Able

Terayon Comm. Systems

Mixed innovatieve

bedrijven

Q Star Test

Micro Matic

Eyetronics

Medicim

Orban

Microwave

Products

ICOS

FillFactory

Tomoton

AnSem Philips

Resonext

Adelante

Technologies

Windriver

Septentrio

QMedit

Mind Linux Solutions

Acunia

Easics

Agilent Technologies

Option International

Pure innovatieve

bedrijven

Telematics-communication

IMEC

KULeuven

K.U.Leuven

4 Research groups

IMEC

Wireless & multimedia

platform

Kenniscentra

Centers of

excellence

Micro-electronics - nanotech

Telindus

Tyco Electronics

Luciad

Tomoton

Micro Matic

Delcomp

Data4S

Mind Linux

SolutionsLMS

Krypton

IPCOS

Assurcard

A.C.S. Belgium

B.E.S.T.

Eyetronics

Cypress Semi

FillFactory

STM

Agilent Techn.

J.W.Lemmens

Philips ITCL

Septentrio

ASM Belgium

Target Compiler Techn.

EasicsCoWare

AnSem

Epiq Sensor Nite

Oligosense

Xenics

Photovoltec

Vector International

JSR Electronics

ICOS Vision

Systems

Newfrom

Option International

Vivactiss

Eonic Systems

Resonext

ARM

Soltech

KULeuven

IMEC

K.U.LeuvenLab Photochemistry & Spectroscopy

Lab of Solid-state Physics & Magnetism

IMECSub-45nm research facility

Nanotechnology Platform

Design platform

Kenniscentra

Centers of

excellence

Pure innovatieve

bedrijven

Mixed innovatieve

bedrijven

Assurcard

EPYC

Smash

Hypervision

Cronos-

EGOVA

Ardatis

Electronic Virtual Office

SOFTDEXX

Good-Ex

Benelux-France

Manage-IT

Abtimore

Apeiron

EMD

Utimaco Safeware

Evisor (IBM)

Telindus

Hypertrust

Risc Technology Belgium

Data4S

Cryptomathic

Better Access

Ubizen

Control Solutions

International

E-security

KULeuven

K.U.Leuven

Faculty of Applied Sciences

2 Research groups

K.U.Leuven

Faculty of Law

ICRI research group

Kenniscentra

Centers of

excellence

Pure innovatieve

bedrijven

Mixed innovatieve

bedrijven

Biotest Seralco

Benelux

Terumo

Europe

Autocyte

Europe

Conti BPC

Ortec

VWR InternationalCentocor

Malaise&co

IVIA

Medvision

Benelux

Norgine

Dermat

E.S.R.I.

Deckers Div

Dakocytomation

Cochlear

M-Elect

Vivactiss

Custom8

@Medical Techn.

New Standard Eng.

Materialise

MXS

Data4S

PharmaDM

QMedit

PatientWeb

Thromb-X

reMYND

Algonomics

4AZA Biosciences

Tigenix

RNA-TEC

Medicim

Life sciences

KULeuven

Univ hospitals

K.U.Leuven

Rega Institute

CEHA

Lab of Exp. Genetics & Transgenese

VIB

VIGOUR

Kenniscentra

Centers of

excellence

Pure innovatieve

bedrijven

Mixed innovatieve

bedrijven

Diatos

Oncomethylome

Neurogenetics

Biotest SeralcoBenelux

TerumoEurope

Autocyte Europe

Conti BPC

Ortec

VWR InternationalCentocor

Malaise&co

IVIA

MedvisionBenelux

Norgine

Dermat

E.S.R.I.Deckers Div

Dakocytomation

Cochlear

M-Elect

Custom8

@Medical Techn.

New Standard Eng.

Materialise

MXS

QMedit

PatientWeb

Thrombogenics

ReMynd

Algonomics

BioTie Therapies Corp.

Tigenix

IDT(RNA-TEC)

Medicim

Life sciences

K.U.LeuvenL-MTC

Univ hospitalsK.U.LeuvenRega InstituteCEHA

Lab of Exp. Genetics & Transgenese

VIBVIGOUR

Kenniscentra

Centers of excellence

Puur innovatievebedrijven

Gemengd innovatievebedrijven

Diatos

Onco Methylome

Neurogenetics

FugeiaRegenesys

M4S

Formac Pharmaceuticals

CMPG

Mechatronics

Alnaco

Donaldson

Dynamotor

Decoster

Tecmate

Intl.

Robert Bosch

AffilipsSouth Lancs

Belgium

Flexlink

Systems

SST

Food Mach

Camco

Techn

Partec Eng

ACE Electronics

Ora Machines B.E.S.T.

Stas

Electrical & Mech. Design

DV Consulting IPCOS

Krypton

Luyten Automation

PEC EME

Entecom Systems

M&M Corporation

Data Analys Products

CSILMS

D2S International

Atos Engineering

Metris

Somatech

Optidrive

Materialise

Barco Aarschot

WTCM Air Beraing Prec. Techn.

Scala Consultants

KULeuven

K.U.Leuven

Dept. Mechanics

Researh groups

K.U.Leuven

Dept of Metall. & Mater. Eng

Lab Agric Mach & Proc

Kenniscentra

Centers of

excellence

Pure innovatieve

bedrijven

Mixed innovatieve

bedrijven

Feed-food-healthInterbrew Belgium

GE Betz

Pure

Global

Water

Techn

Omni Scala

B.E.S.T.

Barco ElbiconSST Food

Machinery

Sodiaal

Benelux

Tiense Suiker

Cargill

Frisk Intll

Aveve

Sensient

Flavors

Remy Industr

Citrique Belg

GC Europe

Engelhard Belgium

ICI-Europe

Toxicon Europe

Hercules Europe

3E

Intern. Aquatreat Belgium

Kon. Belg. Inst. tot

Verbetering vd Biet

Quomak

Better3Fruit

Lochow-Petkus

Belgium

B.R.I.S.K.

Proefbedrijf voor witloof

Centrum Toegep. Biol.

SES Europe

Bodemkundige dienst België

Orafti Group

KULeuven

K.U.Leuven/VIB

Center of Microbiol & Plant Gen.

Lab Molecular Cell Biology

K.U.Leuven

6 centers of excell.

Kenniscentra

Centers of

excellence

Pure innovatieve

bedrijven

Mixed innovatieve

bedrijven

Track 2: Open and flexible degree education

• The backbone of complex competency development •Well-structured curricula and long term processes• Mass-personalisation• Compensates for backlogs in the participation in higher education• Often an additional degree

Open and flexible degree education is needed for building complex competencies

Track 2: Evening classes…

• A flexibility law for higher eduaction (Flanders, Belgium)• Evening classes, perhaps more accessible, but not flexible • Not scalable• Not sustainable• Blended solutions

Open and flexible degree education is needed for building complex competencies

Track 2: Open university

• A European concept• Characteristics:

• Open admission• Student centred• Course design by teams• Multimedia• Tutoring – study centres• Assessment

• Quality criteria: e-xcellence• Partnerships: networked eduaction and virtual mobility

“Open university” is a high quality brand for formal open and flexible education. It should become more a European brand for high quality open and distance teaching universities in a partnership between them, including both types and covering all countries, serving regional lifelong learning strategies.

Track 2: Flexible education and training on demand

• Innovation, knowledge valorisation, transfer of knowledge• Spinning off research, innovative ideas• Demand from companies, sme’s, public services• Individual and collective needs combined• Governmental orders: OUNL, UOC• Cooperation with professional organisations: OUUK• Interfaces or intermediate structures that create projects across university departments integrating research, innovation, educationn and training in a innovative field/project• The Knowledge Innovation Communities of EIT (see KIC Energy)• Partnerships• Task Force EADTU

Universities should valorise research into innovation to the benefit of society at large, on their own initiative (spin offs) or in cooperation with companies and sms’s (new products, processes). They contribute to innovative regions. Demand driven education and training play a core role.

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Dual incentive mechanism to maintain a balance and healthy tension between striving for scientific excellence and gearing this excellence towards application and innovation.

Faculties, departments, research groups:international quality in research,

teaching performance

LRD divisions/projectsContract autonomy &flexibility incentives

LRD Research Divisions

Networking

• Learning, a personal process• Communities of learning facilitate learning and bring learning to a higher level• Communities of practice, professional communities (incl. alumni, company staff,…)• Circulation of knowledge between both• Universities as engines of validated knowledge transfer, also by eduaction and training• regional and international global networking

Universities should network nationally and internationally for the sake of innovation and up to date education and training.

Conclusions

• Lifelong learning should be strategically developed along three tracks, that go hand in hand : open knowledge sharing combining open access, open innovation, open educational resources), open and flexible degree education, flexible education on demand • Universities should define their role with regard to regional and international development, linking with communities of practice and professional communities, incl. companies, sme’s and public services• Open knowledge sharing leads to a high profile and to international cooperation in partnerships or “cooperation zones”