Maria Helena Nazaré Universidade de Aveiro Portugal Post 2010 A New Reality.

A Decade of Change 2000/2010 Bologna 3 cycle degree structure, ECTS, diploma supplement Greater flexibility of learning paths Convergent National Policy Changes  Institutional autonomy  Funding  Quality Assurance

Implementation of Bologna cycles (TRENDS 2010)

Impact of National Policies (Autonomy, Funding and Quality) at Institutional level.

Impact at European level.

Negative demographic trends ( Ireland is the exception). Financial meltdown caused by the banking sector results in a global economic crisis (still!) impacting severely on Europe. Increase in youth unemployment. 40 million migrants; 10% from Síria A Brave New World? Not brave at all and not so new! A NEW OLD ROLE for UNIVERSITIES. The Changed Context

Evolution of 65+ age group Average age of population

unemployment Youth

The national policy reform process remains very dynamic but IS NO LONGER CONVERGENT even within the EU. The Changed Context impacts HE 451 Institutions, 46 Countries.

Funding Reform – the most recurrent policy change The crisis has had a number of consequences:  Different ways of allocating funds: in some cases altering the balance between core and competitive project funding  Growth in the nº of researchers on fixed term contracts  Freezes and contractual changes  Salaries of academic and administrative staff have been cut in a number of countries. Note: Fees an hot topic

Funding

Student recruitment & Internationalisation The new economic reality- crisis, youth unemployment, requirements of the knowledge society, globalization – has led to additional emphasis on increasing student participation.

Notes: Tendency (weak) of large institutions reporting an increase. Decrease attributed to demography and financial situation. Responses about expectations seem to correlate with institutional size and country location, Ex: Czech R, Lithuania and Poland are among the 14% that anticipated a decrease. Looking into the crystal ball

Changing composition of the student body over the last five years Notes: Greater diversity of backgrounds. The growth of international students (EU and non-EU) is the main change (may be linked to the possibility of charging higher fees for non-EU students). The Ranking effect!

Open access to research publications OA transition must not increase costs – integration into grants University self-archiving The issue of data EUA monitoring national developments and in dialogue publisher groups

Challenges  Evolving geographical divide in Europe in terms of investment in universities and negative demography.  Entrenchment of policies previously presented as temporary measures.  Recovery may become increasingly more difficult; loss of competitiveness. Alarming state of universities infrastructure.  Challenge for Europe harmed by these imbalances and weaknesses.  The larger picture: Social Cohesion – generations, migrants

 Challenges represent Responsibilities and Opportunities for Universities.  Issues which need contribution from all disciplines and research fields plus commitment from academics.  Universities can and should do something about it!  Integrate Knowledge. Educate Citizens! Education ≠ Training. Ethics. Role for Universities

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