THE CONTRIBUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO LIFELONG LEARNING
In this post you will find some information about a research project conducted by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and Shanghai Open University (SOU) on the contribution of universities and other HEIs to lifelong learning.
Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, lifelong learning has become the overarching concept and vision for education, as reflected in the wording of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which calls on countries to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’.
Our societies are rapidly changing because of environmental, scientific and technological transformations and the impact of globalization on all dimensions of life, including culture and education. Coping with these changes and shaping the future accordingly require creative and innovative policy responses. While promoting lifelong learning to achieve a sustainable future constitutes a goal in itself, it is also a requirement for reaching many of the other SDGs. To address this challenge, mobilizing higher education institutions (HEIs) is key, and universities have a special role to play in that respect.
While the university sector, because of its unique capacity and mandate to advance knowledge, foster innovation and educate, constitutes a huge potential for promoting lifelong learning, its actual contribution remains unclear. Many universities continue to prioritize academic excellence and research, yet with less attention being paid to teaching and providing lifelong learning opportunities to the community. Hence, achieving the vision expressed through the SDGs and precisely articulated in SDG 4 will require a substantial transformation of HEIs, in particular universities.
Research project
To further explore these issues and provide guidance to policy-makers and higher education institutions, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and Shanghai Open University (SOU) are conducting a comprehensive research project on the contribution of universities and other HEIs to lifelong learning.
The research project consists of several components, including an extended literature review; an international survey of universities; institutional case studies to capture trends and innovative practices; interviews with key informants; and specific thematic studies, including a survey on open universities in China, an exploration of universities of the third age, and a study on universities in learning cities.
The final comprehensive report, covering the results of all sub-projects, was published on 5 June 2023.
Aims and objectives
The research project aims to develop a knowledge base on how and to what extent universities and other types of HEIs contribute to lifelong learning, but also to capture how the lifelong learning agenda plays a role in the transformation process of the university sector in response to current societal developments.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
draw up an overview of the state of the art of HEIs’ contribution to lifelong learning with a focus on universities; assess the current situation in different regions; identify particular patterns according to countries, types of institutions and innovations, particularly related to new technologies for learning; look at attempts to monitor, etc.;
identify the gaps, e.g. lack of effective legal frameworks, policies and measures at the national level to support and encourage higher education strategies for lifelong learning, lack of institutional strategies for a concerted approach towards lifelong learning, etc.;
identify examples of best practice that could inspire policy-makers and HEIs, notably the university sector;
formulate policy and strategic guidelines for policy-makers and institutions.
Methodology
The research methodology includes the following components:
Literature review;
International survey on universities;
Survey on open universities in China;
Thematic studies;
Case studies of innovative institutions;
Interviews with key informants (university presidents, researchers, national or international institutions).
Partnership
This is a collaborative research project between UIL and Shanghai Open University (SOU), which is strongly committed to providing flexible and convenient ways of learning through open and distance education in order to meet the lifelong learning needs of all members of society.
The project also benefits from the collaboration of a several partners within UNESCO, namely the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (UNESCO–IIEP) and the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO–IESALC), and the university sector through the International Association of Universities (IAU).
Advisory group
UIL had invited a body of experts to serve as an advisory group for the project.
Members of the advisory group:
Mr Uwe Elsholz, Vice-President for Continuing Education, Transfer and International Affairs, FernUniversität in Hagen
Mr Etienne Ehouan Ehile, Secretary General, Association of African Universities (AAU)
Ms Nadia Gamal el-Din, Professor, Institute of Educational Studies, University of Cairo
Ms Margarita Guarello de Toro, President, Continuing Education Network for Latin America and Europe (RECLA)
Ms Michaela Martin, Programme Specialist, International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO)
Mr Balázs Németh, President, European Universities Continuing Education Network (EUCEN)
Mr Michael Osborne, Chair of Adult Education and Lifelong Education, University of Glasgow
Mr Séamus Ó Tuama, Chair of the ASEM Lifelong Learning Hub, Asia-Europe Meeting
Mr Francesc Pedró, Director, UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC)
Mr Johnny Sung, Centre Director, Centre for Skills, Performance and Productivity, Institute for Adult Learning Singapore
Ms Stamenka Uvalić-Trumbić, Consultant, Paris
Ms Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary-General, International Association of Universities (IAU)
Mr Peter Wells, Chief of Section of Higher Education, Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, UNESCO
Mr Lizhong Yu, Chancellor, Shanghai New York University
Ms Thérèse Zhang Pulkowski, Deputy Director, Higher Education Policy Unit, European University Association (EUA)
Source: https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/higher-education-lifelong-learning
You can warch the webinar on "Lifelong Learning: an imperative for higher education" via the link below:
