Adult learning universities in the Nordic countries Workshop on Opening Higher Education for Adults It is always a good time to learn, Budapest 7-9 March 2011 Professor (Hon), Dr.Phil.h.c. Arne Carlsen Chairman of the ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning

Leuven Communique 2009 Higher Education and Europe of Knowledge Creative and innovative Widening participation New learners, new types of learning Student centred Education and research Active citizens, democracy Broad knowledge base

Social dimension Lifelong Learning Accessibility, quality, transparency Recognition of prior learning Employability Teaching, guidance, support International openness

EU 2020 Mobility Targets 2020 – 1 in 5

Budapest-Vienna Declaration 2010 European Higher Education Area Mobility Improve teaching and learning Enhance graduate employability Provide quality higher education Flexible learning path Commitment to Leuven Communique

European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning Widening access in institutional strategies Diversified student population Adapting study programmes Guidance and counselling Recognising prior learning Partnerships for relevance

Denmark University Extension Diploma programmes – parttime - Universities for Applied Sciences Practitioner Masters programmes – parttime - Universities Adult students in classical programmes BA and MA in adult education. Aarhus Faculty of Arts coordinates European Masters in Lifelong Learning: Policy and Management

Statistics Indikator 2.4 Number of competence giving examns in adult education KVU MVU LVU Adapted from: UNI·C Statistics and Analysis of data from Denmarks Statistics, 2010

Norway University Extension, Workers Study Association, and the Evening School organise courses in cooperation with universities, participates mainly at BA-level Universities have further and continuing education centres, like for architects and engineers One university offers BA and MA in adult education

Finland Open university participants annually No degree but credits at undergraduate level No financial subsidy Not requiring any educational background Lectures evenings, weekends or online

Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education, Helsinki University students Staff of courses Turn-over: 17 mio. euro

ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning Platform for dialogue between research and policy in LLL in Europe and Asia Comparative, evidence-based research on e-learning, workplace learning, professionalisation of adult educators, motivation to participation, development of competences 70 researchers in LLL from 60 universities in 32 countries, working in 5 research networks

Recommendations To support adult returners by e-learning, workplace learning, high competences of adult educators, motivation and knowledge about how to develop learners competences Widen access, but keep quality Collect existing research results, and strengthen relevance and R&D. Improve statistics

What kind of promotion and supporting measures (promotion campaigns, guidance and counselling, legal frameworks, funding etc.) are needed at Member State level to attract more adults into higher education institutions Any kind of promotion and guidance and councelling Promotion of the broad concept of LLL Studies of good practise in all countries and HE institutions

How can higher education institutions profit from having more adult learners among the student population? More relevant study programmes, reflecting needs of society Bridge HE institution and world of work Transfer of knowledge in further and continuing education courses – mobilisation of knowledge Increase funding

To what extent are higher education institutions justified in speculating on an increase of adult learners as new source of revenue? Mainly further and continuing education activities, human ressource development, tailor-made courses for enterprises Classical student degree programmes depending on national funding structure

How can public authorities in the Member States encourage and support intensified cooperation between higher education and enterprises in order to bring more higher education to people already in employment / to the workplace itself? Make strategies for HRD Support HE in developing relevant offers Create fora for HE and the world of work. Support e-learning development and ICT-based learning contents for adults Remember that public workplaces are also workplaces Build on good practise Cooperation between Bologna and Copenhagen Process Cooperate with ASEM LLL Hub

What can the European Commission do to encourage higher education access for more adult learners, (1) as students on degree courses, (2) for continuing work-related training, (3) for other forms of study? Support development of European Forum for HE and Business to include all workplaces, social partners and EUA. Develop relevant strategies for including the un-employed strata Strengthen cooperation between NGOs and HE in programmes Secure follow-up of Leuven Communiqué Link development to the Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme on Lifelong Learning: Policy and Management