Higher Education Challenges in a Changing World: Impacts and Opportunities Post-2010

1. Post 2010 A New Reality. Maria Helena Nazaré Universidade de Aveiro Portugal

2. A Decade of Change 2000/2010 • Bologna 3 cycle degree structure, ECTS, diploma supplement • Greater flexibility of learning paths • Convergent National Policy Changes • Institutional autonomy • Funding • Quality Assurance

3. Implementation of Bologna cycles (TRENDS 2010)

4. Impact of National Policies (Autonomy, Funding and Quality) at Institutional level.

5. ImpactatEuropeanlevel.

6. The Changed Context 2010------ • Negative demographic trends ( Ireland is the exception). • Financial meltdown caused by the banking sector results in a global economic crisis (still!) impacting severely on Europe. • Increase in youth unemployment. • 40 million migrants; 10% from Síria • A Brave New World? Not brave at all and not so new! • A NEW OLD ROLE for UNIVERSITIES.

7. Evolution of 65+ age group 2004-2014 Average age of population 2014 2004

8. unemployment Youth

9. The Changed Context 2010------ impacts HE The national policy reform process remains very dynamic but IS NO LONGER CONVERGENT even within the EU. 451 Institutions, 46 Countries.

10. Funding Reform – the most recurrent policy change • The crisis has had a number of consequences: • Different ways of allocating funds: in some cases altering the balance between core and competitive project funding • Growth in the nº of researchers on fixed term contracts • Freezes and contractual changes • Salaries of academic and administrative staff have been cut in a number of countries. Note: Fees an hot topic

12. Funding 2008-2014

13. Studentrecruitment & Internationalisation The new economic reality- crisis, youth unemployment, requirements of the knowledge society, globalization – has led to additional emphasis on increasing student participation.

14. Lookingintothecrystalball Notes: Tendency (weak) of large institutions reporting an increase. Decrease attributed to demography and financial situation. Responses about expectations seem to correlate with institutional size and country location, Ex: Czech R, Lithuania and Poland are among the 14% that anticipated a decrease.

15. Changing composition of the student body over the last five years Notes: Greater diversity of backgrounds. The growth of international students (EU and non-EU) is the main change (may be linked to the possibility of charging higher fees for non-EU students). The Ranking effect!

16. Open access to research publications • OA transition must not increase costs – integration into grants • University self-archiving • The issue of data EUA monitoring national developments and in dialogue publisher groups

17. Challenges • Evolving geographical divide in Europe in terms of investment in universities and negative demography. • Entrenchment of policies previously presented as temporary measures. • Recovery may become increasingly more difficult; loss of competitiveness. Alarming state of universities infrastructure. • Challenge for Europe harmed by these imbalances and weaknesses. • The larger picture: Social Cohesion – generations, migrants

18. Role for Universities • Challenges represent Responsibilities and Opportunities for Universities. • Issues which need contribution from all disciplines and research fields plus commitment from academics. • Universities can and should do something about it! • Integrate Knowledge. Educate Citizens! Education ≠ Training. Ethics.

19. Light House