Dirk Van Damme Head of CERI/OECD Concluding remarks Dirk Van Damme Head of CERI/OECD

This conference… … was the final event in celebrating CERI’s 40th anniversary No coincidence: 1968 was very much about the liberation of higher learning, at the early stages of massification and expansion No coincidence: ‘human capital revolution’ in economic and social sciences (Higher) education as investment Human talents as resources to be cultivated Many issues still relevant 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference

This conference… … was also final event in CERI’s University Futures project Demographic changes Opportunities related to technology Challenges of globalisation Scenario’s 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference

This conference… … took also place in the midst of financial crisis and economic recession Of which we don’t know the scale nor the impact on HE, so not yet incorporated in our thinking Which may result in many risks and challenges for HE’s future development, also in opportunities? Budgetary and financial Drawbacks on mobility, globalisation, etc. Impact on access, equity, stratification Possibly beneficial aspects 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference

This conference… … was a successful learning experience Richness, breadth and depth of presentations Global perspective Manifold dynamics in institutions and higher education systems We learned that Interaction and discussion deserved more space and time Material environment not always conducive to effective learning and communication 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference

Main themes Participation, access and expansion Back in the centre of analysis and policies, but paradox between expansion and inequity Diversification of access will ask for more resources, tools and better designed policies Underrepresented groups, ethnic ‘minorities’ Opportunities of technology Lifelong learning still a challenge Most systems will continue to expand But risks that this will not happen automatically, but that there is need for focused policies Global perspective to expansion 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference

Main themes Student learning and learning outcomes Come into the centre of development Successful learning arrangements Measurement needed and possible 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference

Main themes Dynamics of convergence and diversity Strong regional and even global interaction, leading to planned or unplanned convergence Increasing diversification Better focused institutions and policies, avoiding mission overload Risks of vertical diversification and collusion of diversity and inequity Need for new instruments of transparency 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference

Main themes Globalisation Is much more than liberalisation, trade in education services or the GATS Enormous impact of information and communication technologies Developments beyond imagination in certain countries Towards a highly stratified global HE system or very dynamic and open HE community 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference

Main themes Innovation Was a theme I missed a little bit, since I think that it will be a crucial focus for future HE HE as driver in social and economic innovation, new skills and competences How to innovate HE, especially in teaching & learning arrangements? CERI work in OECD Innovation Strategy 09-Dec-2008 OECD/CERI/France conference