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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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