networking in the modern knowledge society: experiences from the european network for universities...
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Drs Tamara Wanker’s (Senior Policy Advisor International Affairs, Netherlands Association for Universities of Applied Sciences, (HBO-raad), The Hague) presentation at the SATN Annual Conference 2009. Theme: “Technological innovation at Universities in South Africa: towards industrial and socio-economic development”16 - 17 July 2009Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyBellville Campus.TRANSCRIPT
Networking in the modern knowledge society: experiences from the
European Network for Universities of Applied Sciences (UASNET)
South African Technology Network (SATN) Conference, July 2009
Tamara Wanker ([email protected])
HBO-raad (Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences)
www.uasnet.eu
European Network for Universities of Applied Sciences
(UASNET)----------------------------------------
• Background • Overall goal and activities• Current European project
– Justification, goals, activities, results• Thoughts for further consideration
Background UASNET and first results
---------------------------------------------------Informal grouping end 2004 of 8 partners
Wish to clarify professionally oriented higher education within Europe
↓
‘BaLaMa’-project: ‘Bachelor for the Labour Market’
•In-depth country reports and brochure
•Shared profile and set of general descriptors
•Berlin Conference March’07, Study visit October ‘07
UASNET today: partners
---------------------------------------------------11 National Associations for Universities of Applied Sciences:
The Netherlands (2004) Germany (2004)
Ireland (2004) Austria (2004)
Denmark (2004) Switzerland (2004)
Finland (2004) France (2008)
Estonia (2004) Portugal (2008)
Lithuania (2008)
UASNET today: overall goal and activities
---------------------------------------------------Informal Network for Universities of Applied Sciences
Focuses on:
•Profile of UAS in Europe:
-Peer learning activities/investigations> European projects
-EU lobby > Task Force
•International exchange of national developments
•Platform for UAS and partners from business, SMEs, public sector
The new European Project of UASNET ‘EDUPROF’:
‘Educating the new European Professional in the knowledge society’
------------------------------------------------------------
3 year project: October 2008 - October 2011
Financed by:
•European Commission (Lifelong Learning Programme, Erasmus, Structural Networks),
•Dutch Ministry of Education,
•Municipality of the Hague
•Cooperating partners
EDUPROF: Deepen and broaden UASNET
---------------------------------------------------Deepening:
•focus on core element of professional education mission UAS: challenge to integrate the combination of education and applied research in the curricula of the new European professional, placing UAS in the middle of the knowledge triangle
Broadening:
•Inviting other Associations of UAS and their member institutes
•European Stakeholders’ Groups as sounding board:
EARTO, UEAPME, Errin
Relevance of the new project ‘EDUPROF’
---------------------------------------------------
Justification:
• Align education in the best possible way to professional practice
• Assist world of work (SMEs, business, public sector) with concrete innovation demands
focus on applied research
1. Demand from world of work for new professional
European knowledge society demands highly skilled professionals, equipped for fast-changing professional practice, who can handle:• new knowledge which is available at an ever
increasing rate, • the development of innovative solutions which can be
applied in practice without too much transfer problems,
• the use of a sound multidisciplinary approach, • and the integration of professional practice in the
European context
UAS are in the process of adjusting their education. The key to bridge the gap from education to fast changing professional practice > applied research
2. Concrete innovation demands from world of work
---------------------------------------------------Applied research enables UAS to:
•Keep in close contact with innovative demands from the world of work
•Offer assistance in developing innovative solutions for professional practice
•Keep education up-to-date to present and future demands
•Meet further education needs from the life long learning professional
> UAS contribute to the knowledge society and
life long learning in Europe
Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS)
ResearchEducation
Skills of the professional
knowledge worker
Innovation
Putting the pieces together: UAS as linking pin in the knowledge triangle
Education Innovation
Skills professional
Research
Now it is time for the European dimension on applied research:
---------------------------------------------------
Central issue for UAS and society
Contributes to social and economic goals of Europe
↓
Mirror regional and national experiences of individual institutes and stakeholders to the European level
Offer European platform for UAS, new partners and stakeholders
Expected outcomes
---------------------------------------------------1. Quality applied research (internal goal)>How to ensure and embed research of good quality:• Share best practices, networking• challenge: standing networks of professionals from
UAS and stakeholders (to set up joint activities, develop new initiatives)
2. Boost applied research (external goal)
> Recognition and funding:
• More visibility• Better understanding• More and better funding and preconditions• Adjusted European programmes for applied research
Content of the ‘EDUPROF’ Project: activities
---------------------------------------------------Phase I: •Research process•International Conference
Phase II:•Expert meetings•Study visits•Detailed benchmark (qualitative approach indicators)
•Closure Event•Website www.uasnet.eu•Brochure
First results of the ‘EDUPROF’ Project1. Research report ‘Research at Universities of Applied
Sciences in Europe. Conditions, achievements and perspectives.‘
2. International Conference, February 20093. Position Paper towards Bologna 20204. Evening Reception with European Commission and
Permanent Representatives, April 20095. Bologna declaration:
Education, research and innovation15. “Higher education should be based at all levels on state of the art research and development thus fostering innovation and creativity in society. We recognise the potential of higher education programmes, including those based on applied science, to foster innovation.
6. Task Force for EU lobby on innovation
Assessment (1)External commitment
Succes: Challenge:
-connect to EU agenda -concrete policy support
-reputation -justification focus
-overall argumentation -concrete examples (mobilizing experts)
Link project – lobby? -become more visible and focused
Ongoing developments -new thoughts, reframing message, align activities
Assessment (2)Internal commitmentSucces: Challenge:-Team national associations -connecting professionals-European Network -standing sub-networks-doors open for lobby -input from UAS
-wishes from all Network partners
Shared ambitions? pro-active partners, followers, sleeping partners, mandate at home
Manage the Network: distribution of workload, capacity, know-how
Grasp spin-off opportunities
Thoughts for further consideration…Project Lobby*Good quality+pre-conditions * Recognition and fundingexpert meetings + benchmark on ‘HOW’:• Quality assurance• Funding, sustainability,
research priorities• Partnerships• HRM, organising research in UAS• Link education – research –
professional practice*Follow-up: ‘EDUPROF 2’ * Reframing messageThematic Networks (shift from professional
practice and innovation to addressing broad societalthemes)
• Which societal themes? * Adjusting programmes, • Niches? new programme, next
project• Cluster collaboration?• Regional links?
www.uasnet.eu
•About us•Current EDUPROF project•Film UASNET conference February 2009•Position Paper Bologna/Leuven 2020•Research report