Conference Theme

29 30 31 May 2013

Today, like the economy in general, knowledge too is globalised. Universities position their knowledge in a world-wide context. New ways of delivering learning are essential. E-learning and on-line courses open up new possibilities. The location of learning is being displaced. It is migrating from the classroom to an iPhone, an iPad... Internationalisation has become one of the major challenges for universities.

The conference will examine the responsibility of ULLL in the knowledge society. What are the models of the future for ULLL in a globalised world? Two aspects will be explored:

• Between competition, collaboration and cooperation – the policy of internationalisation for universities
• The transfer of knowledge by ICT

Internationalising universities: between cooperation, collaboration and competition

Universities are opening campuses in other countries. They are creating new partnerships. They evaluate programmes offered by other providers. They respond to requests from emerging countries for expertise and teaching. They obtain accreditation and in order to affirm their reputation they aim for excellence in the rankings. They situate themselves between cooperation, collaboration and competition.

To what end? What strategies do they use? What are the real advantages and the potential risks in such policies?
How does this process of internationalisation fit with the mission of teaching and research?

The transfer of knowledge using ICT

To support this internationalisation, universities are developing distance-learning courses, investing in mass teaching systems and diversifying their target groups. They are disseminating their knowledge throughout the world and integrating new tools and new media technologies.
In the future, will courses be designed only for distance learning? How will the quality of the teaching and learning be assured? Do universities know how to integrate these social and technological changes into their policy and practice?

The 45th EUCEN conference will conduct a debate on the University of Tomorrow, engaging with different points of view and numerous case studies.

Key Words

International ULLL • Governance • Policy • Strategies • Partnerships • Technologies • Human Rights • Business • Ethics