University Continuing Education at the University of Graz at a Glance Andrea Waxenegger University of Graz TEMPUS Project 3 LUC, Consortium Kick-off Meeting Thursday, 9 November 2006 Zagreb, Croatia

Speaker: University education: Educational Sciences/Adult Education; since 1989 working in the field of University Continuing Education in research & development, management, organisational development, consulting and various functions Present position: Director of the Center for Continuing Education (since June 2000) Since 1996: Member of the founding group and since September, Member of the Steering Committee of AUCEN – Austrian University Continuing Education and Staff Development Network www.aucen.ac.at Since May 2004: Member of the Steering Committee and Secretary General of EUCEN – European University Continuing Education Network www.eucen.org Since 2004: Member of the Steering Committee and Managing Director of the Association for the Promotion of Lifelong Learning (in cooperation with the University of Graz) www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

Overview What is “University Continuing Education”? What does the University of Graz offer? Developmental Plan 2005-2010 The Center for Continuing Education – Objectives and Tasks Special Projects Our Main Networks Contact www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

1. What is “University Continuing Education”? Austrian Universities are required by law to include Continuing Education in their performance objectives: “continuing education, particularly post-graduate training” University Continuing Education (UCE) is one of the 16 strategic projects in the Organisation and Development Plan (2005-2010) of the University of Graz; objectives: more provision for UCE; new target groups By law explicitly allowed is – in order to provide financial and organisational support – cooperation with other legal entities. UCE-Provision is not part of the regular under/graduate degree programmes of the universities www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

1. What is “University Continuing Education”? Formats: from public lectures addressing a wide audience to specialised Master’s programmes lasting several semesters Certificates: from “confirmation of participation/certificate of attendance” “university certificates”  “Master’s degrees” Academic titles: “The curriculum may specify master’s titles in normal international use for the respective subject to be awarded to the graduates of such courses, if the admission requirements, scope and standards are comparable to those of like master’s programmes in other countries”. “In the event that subsection 1 does not apply, the curriculum may stipulate that the title “Akademische…” or “Akademischer …” [academically accredited], followed by a suffix indicating the contents of the course in question, is to be awarded to persons successfully completing the course in question, provided that it qualifies for at least 60 ECTS credits points.” (ECTS: work load of one year full-time is 1500 hours = 60 ECTS) Money: from “no fees” to “cost-covering fees” www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

1. What is “University Continuing Education”? to offer participation in “university learning processes” (i.e. research-based – State-of-the-Art; critical and reflective approach) and taking into consideration the experience and knowledge being brought into the process by participants from their work. Prerequisite is: firstly, researchers/teachers who are capable of bringing this experience into university teaching and learning processes; and secondly, these processes need enough time. Organisational development and change: It is often not enough to qualify one participant without thinking about the transfer of knowledge into the organisation he or she is part of. www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

2. What does the University of Graz offer? Some examples 1. Public Access: “Academy on Monday”: a series of lectures in cooperation with 9 regional centers (video-conference) addressing a wide audience “Megaphon-Uni”: a series of lectures and workshops in cooperation with the local street magazine “Megaphon” 2. Short courses, also on international level 3. University Continuing Education Courses up to Master’s programmes e.g.: Master in European Integration and Regionalism Master in South East European Law and European Integration (LL.M.) MSc Space Sciences (in cooperation with the Graz University of Technology) www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

3. Developmental Plan 2005-2010 “Uni for Life – university education for everyone between 18 and 88” One of the long-term goals set by the University of Graz is to cast the university in the role of a “partner in learning” for students of any and all ages. In addition to the “classical” programmes offered to the 18 to 25-year-olds, the five faculties of the University are turning their attention more and more towards the needs of the post-25 group and are looking to develop the University into a partner in lifelong learning. In this area, the role of the university is two-fold: to provide a network and impetus for applied research, and to act as the main point of contact for continuing professional development and continuing education at an advanced level. UNI for LIFE Ltd http://www.uniforlife.at Founded 2006 Continuing Professional Development for Business and Industry, for graduates/post-graduates, for the University Contact: UNI for LIFE Ltd, Klaus Ebner, klaus.ebner@uni-graz.at www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

4. The Center for Continuing Education - Objectives to fulfil the role of the University of Graz in the community as a lifelong partner in university continuing education to further develop and expand the programme of university continuing education currently being offered by the University in the area of general interest courses at university level for public access and in the area of scientific learning to further improve the quality of the programme of university continuing education in these two areas www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

4. The Center for Continuing Education - Tasks to develop and test an innovative programme of general interest courses at university level for public access based on academic/scientific research, to develop and test an innovative programme of university continuing education and innovative learning environments in the area of scientific learning to set up an information centre and counselling service on university continuing education and training for target groups in the area of public access programmes and scientific learning programmes to develop programmes to further competence and increase professionalism of educators working in university continuing education (teaching within the context of university continuing education; learning with older and inter-generational learners) to build up and maintain regional, national and European partnerships for programme development cooperation projects and networks www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

5. Special Projects Development of a Concept for a “University of the Third Age” as well as testing and evaluating of pilot modules – VITA ACTIVA Started on 1 September 2005; Duration: 23 months Supported by Federal Ministry of Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection and the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture; considerable contribution by the University Target groups: senior citizens and non-traditional students Main objectives of the project: develop a profile, an organisational model, a new (university-accredited) programme and institutionalise what has been developed Quality: research-based level; accompanying programme: personal growth, study skills, IT-skills www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

5. Special Projects SOCRATES-Grundtvig ADD LIFE! ADDing quality to life through inter-generational learning via universities (as coordinator) http://add-life.uni-graz.at see handout www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

5. Special Projects SOCRATES-Grundtvig EQUIPE plus (as partner) http://www.equipeplus.org see handout www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

6. Our Main Networks EUCEN: www.eucen.org AUCEN: www.aucen.ac.at www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06

7. Contact Dr Andrea Waxenegger Center for Continuing Education at the University of Graz andrea.waxenegger@uni-graz.at http://www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum www.uni-graz.at/weiterbildung/zentrum 9 11 06