Speak up, let’s be bold and dare to dream. With these words, Victor van der Chijs, chairman of the UT's Executive Board and of the ECIU, opened the first high-level event on the Future of European Universities. At the Palais des Académies in Brussels, 150 attendees listened to the panel discussion about the future of universities.
Hold up a green card or a red one. The audience signals its (dis)agreement with the statements that moderator Charlotte van Velthoven puts to them. Things start off easy. “Who thinks that Belgium will win the European Championship title?” Later on, things are more serious. Would you rather make an impact or obtain a degree? The audience takes part in the discussion - and not just with the coloured cards; questions are sent in via Twitter as well.
The panel tasked with debating three statements consists of Per Michael Johansen, Rector at Aalborg University, Magne Bartlett, a student at the University of Stavanger and Board Member of ECIU University, Elena Tegovska, Team Leader Higher Education and Erasmus+, DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture and Anna Panagopoulou, Director Common Implementation Centre, DG Research & Innovation.
The discussion leader kicks things off. “Is Europe ready to truly innovate its higher education? Is Europe ready to support new types of educational innovations?” “The step from obtaining a degree to not obtaining one at all is quite large,” says Elena Tegovska. “We will have to look at this one step at a time. Nevertheless, it is very interesting to hear everyone's ideas.” Per Michael Johansen: “It is about a new structure. At first, this will involve a combination of traditional and innovative institutions.”
Students and research
Next, the discussion moves to the topic of research. At the moment, European universities are mostly focused on education, but what about their research efforts? Van Velthoven: “European universities need a research mission to be full-fledged universities. Moreover, they are perfectly placed to raise the competitiveness of the European Research Area. What should this research support look like?” Magne Barlett: “I would like there to be a way for students to get involved in research projects.” Anna Panagopoulou: “There are ideas about how this could be implemented. It can certainly be included in a future research programme.” Per Michael Johansen: “Many universities already offer their students ways to conduct research. It is advisable to take a good look at these platforms.”
FUNDING
The final question concerns funding. What would an integrated financial model for European universities look like? “At the moment, there is no clear budget yet,” says Elena Tegovska. “We hope that these pioneering universities can elevate their respective national level as well as part of the educational development process.” Anna Panagopoulou: “The Member States have to get involved and think along as well. They must realise that innovating the field of higher education is a shared responsibility.”
“What is clear after today,” the moderator sums up, “is that the European universities should not look at each other as competitors. What we need are open minds and collaboration. It is also clear that Europe is already on board, yet funding remains an issue. The individual Member States will have to make a contribution as well. One last question: who wants to get a drink and continue this discussion elsewhere?” That's easy: green signs all around.
You may also like to read the article 'Foster cooperation' on the U-Today website.
