Transforming Higher Education Landscape in Europe: the Power of Diversity in University Alliances

• Speakers: Romiță B. Iucu (University of Bucharest, Romania), Julie McAdam (University of Glasgow, United Kingdom), Karin Amos (Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen, Germany), Marie Wittamer (Aix Marseille University, France), Luciano Sasso (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy), Irene Martin (University Autonoma de Madrid, Spain)
• Chairpersons: Lucian Ciolan (University of Bucharest), Ines Alves (University of Glasgow)
• When: 00 SES 03 A / Tuesday, 22/Aug/2023: 5:15pm - 6:45pm
• Location: James McCune Smith, 438AB [Floor 4]

European education has been witnessing unprecedented transformations with attempts to create a ‘European Higher Education Area’  (Corbett, 2005) which includes new models of higher education (HE) forcing actors to look at both the convergence and diversity in HE (Zgaga et al. 2016) in the European Union (EU). European University Alliances are leading the way for the future of HE in the EU (Charret et Chankseliani, 2022). Transformation of learning and teaching in HE can be analysed at least at two levels: a) process level, looking at the transformation in learning approaches (e.g. diversity, multilingualism, innovative pedagogies, digitally enhanced mobilities) and b) structural level (institutional landscapes, joint programs of study, curricula, micro-certification / programs, modules). While student-centred teaching and learning remain fundamental for such changes, conceptual approaches such as innovative pedagogies (Ciolan et al., 2021), ‘micro-credentials’ philosophy (Iucu et al., 2021), and virtual (digitally enhanced) mobility (Iucu et al., 2022) act as forefront drivers for the European Universities Alliances to foster pilot processes for educational innovation in HE that consider sustainability issues. Further research in education can assist such transformative teaching and learning approaches, setting the ground for better understanding how current European educational contexts are changing and what stakeholders can do to anticipate such transitions. In this post-pandemic period, HE must also reflect on its position in relation to research, societal challenges and needs, universities becoming more and more connected with civil society, labour market, and community actors. 

One of the key lenses to look at this dynamic transformative process is the diversity created by these alliances from so many perspectives: people, institutions, cultures, language, professional practices. This is an objective reality and identifying best ways to make value of it should be a priority for all the stakeholders. 

• What is the role of European University Alliances? 

• How can university alliances better represent, respond to and value its diversity? 

• How can universities respond in a balanced way to their multiple missions? (social responsibility, learning and teaching and research)

• What is the impact of these alliances on research, and teaching and learning ecosystems? 

These are some of the questions that will lead the discussion of this diverse panel, which brings together representatives from the CIVIS Alliance HE institutions, to reflect on their experiences and expertise. 

CIVIS is a European Civic University formed by the alliance of leading research HE institutions across Europe: Aix-Marseille Université, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of Bucharest, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Sapienza Università di Roma, Stockholm University, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, University of Glasgow, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and University of Lausanne. It brings together a community of more than 470,000 students and 58,000 staff members including 35,000 academics and researchers.

In this panel we will discuss to what extent university alliances are  supposed to adapt their values and principles to a new educational and professional world, characterised by adaptability, resilience, sense of belonging, and valuing diversity. At the same time, we will address the opportunity of these alliances to promote disruptive innovation and create conditions for a new landscape of the European Higher Education Area, based on cooperation and collaboration, and embedding diversity as an integral part of this construction. Early reflection and reflective research on the aims and processes of evolution of higher education under this European initiative are essential to allow further calibration of decisions and priorities for future development.