1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Setting up National and European Networks for developing

University Lifelong Learning

Session National Networks for ULLL

VALUE Final Conference, Ankara, June 2011

Andrea Waxenegger

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Overview of presentation

1As an example: AUCEN - Austrian University Continuing Education

and Staff Development Network (founded in 1996)

2Cooperation at European level: EUCEN - European University

Continuing Education Network (founded in 1991)

3Setting up a National Network: Lessons learned

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Presenter: Dr. Andrea Waxenegger

•Present position: Director of the Center for Continuing Education at the University of Graz (since June 2000)

•University education: Educational Sciences/Adult Education; working since 1989 in the field of University Continuing Education in research & development, management, organisational development, consulting, project management and various functions

•Since 1996: Member of the founding group and, currently, Member of the Steering Committee of AUCEN - Austrian University Continuing Education and Staff Development Network

•Since 2000 Delegate to and since November 2010 President of EUCEN - European University Continuing Education Network

•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)

•Member and Coordinator of the Austrian Expert Group Learning in Later Life (in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection)

•Seconded National Expert of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research to the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning Advisory Board and National Expert to the Lifelong Learning Advisory Board of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research

Contact: andrea.waxenegger@uni-graz.at

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

1 As an example: AUCEN - Austrian University Continuing Education and Staff Development Network (founded in 1996)

 Membership is institutional only and all public Austrian universities are potential members. Currently: 19 member universities.

Each university nominates and delegates representatives for university continuing education and university staff development.Currently: 84 Delegates.

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

AUCEN promotes Continuing Education and Staff Development at Universities

•at policy level – through involvement and lobbying at national and European level to establish adequate conditions in these areas

•at organisational level – through networking and professionalization of the experts and persons in charge at the universities

•at content level – through quality development in continuing education and staff development

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Activities AUCEN Meetings are held twice a year at one of the member universities. AUCEN Workshops are usually held within the Meetings and/or separately.

AUCEN depends on the commitment and the voluntary contributions of its members and their willingness to share experiences and good practice. It is up to the members to form task groups to work on specific topics of current interest. These results are presented at the network meetings and provide impetus for both subject areas.

Contributions/lobbying at national level (selected):•Link to Rectors’ conference (Universities Austria) •Document on “Principles and recommendations to the university continuing education programmes” (January 2009). •Link to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Work programme University Continuing Education for 2011  

• ULLL-Strategy Development

• Funding

• Quality Management

• National Qualifications Framework

• European Development

 

Work programme Staff Development in Universities 2011 

• Staff Development at Executive level in universities

• Diversity Management

• Development und positioning of staff development in universities in general

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

A short history of the network The first initiative was started in 1996 with a “Round Table” at the invitation of the then Vice-Rector for Continuing Education and Human Resources Management at the University of Agricultural Sciences Vienna.

The round table developed into a network. In 1998 the name AUCEN and the aims and guidelines were established and a representative as “Spokesperson” designated.

From October 2002 to January 2005, the AUCEN Office was provided with staff resources financed by the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture to coordinate and advance the network.

Up to October 2005, AUCEN was an informal network of universities for universities. Since then, AUCEN is a registered, formal association with its office financed by the member universities.

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

The organisational structure of AUCEN AUCEN has its own statutes and regulations as required by Austrian Association law.

Steering Committee: It is composed of six professionals (three working in university continuing education, three in university staff development) from different member universities. The members of the Steering Committee are elected by the General Assembly for a period of two years. Externally the AUCEN network is represented by a Spokesperson and a Vice-Spokesperson.

AUCEN General Assembly: The General assembly meets twice a year at the AUCEN Meetings. It elects the steering committee.

AUCEN has a permanent office, currently at the Center for Continuing Education at the University of Graz. The day-to-day business is managed by a part-time administrator (7,5 hours per week).

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

International Networking

AUCEN has had close links with EUCEN, the European University Continuing Education Network and has been a full member since 2010.

Members of AUCEN regularly take part in EUCEN activities, such as European conferences (and within these, the National Networks Meetings) and projects. Information on topics on the European agenda is distributed via AUCEN to the network members, feedback of AUCEN members is fed into the work of EUCEN.

Through the Center for Continuing Education at the University of Graz, AUCEN was involved in the Grundtvig Projects EQUIPE (European Quality in Individualised Pathways in Education) and EQUIPE Plus. Within the framework of these projects, it was possible for AUCEN members to participate in expert workshops on quality development of university lifelong learning. AUCEN functions as a dissemination, valorisation and exploitation forum for best practices in European developmental work.

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

2 Cooperation at European level: EUCEN - European University Continuing Education Network (founded in 1991)

EUCEN is an international non-governmental non-profit making organisation registered in Belgium.

• Founded by 15 universities in Bristol, 4-5 May 1991• First Statutes were discussed and approved in Liege, 16 May

1992• First members were accepted at the General Assembly in

Barcelona, 16 May 1993

EUCEN has currently over 200 members in 40 different countries

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

EUCEN VISION• Make University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) play a central part

in University policy and provision• Aid Universities to serve most effectively the people of

Europe

MISSION• Promote internal reflection• Influence European policy on ULLL• Exchange experiences and information• Increase level of quality for ULLL amongst members

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

EUCEN’s organisation is comprised of:

• A General Assembly of members that meets twice a year

• A Steering Committee with A President A Vice-President A Secretary General A Treasurer Other members (up to 6 more)

• The Executive Office (Barcelona, Spain) An Administrative Unit A Financial Unit A Projects Unit

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Main benefits of joining EUCEN:

2 European conferences per year – networking, professional development - conferences discount

Access to people, expertise and information across Europe Representation in European policy making process Opportunity to join European projects Support for own projects Websites, newsletter and market place Channel for dissemination of own activities Institutional membership – all staff can benefit

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Concrete outputs

•Recommendations•Guidelines•Checklists•Tools•Reports•Models•Testing and experimentation results•Evaluations and assessments•Surveys

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Links from EUCEN to National Networks (NN)

Website resource & links to National/Regional Networks http://www.eucen.eu/national_networks/links

Help to create new National Networks National Networks Forum in EUCEN conferences EUCEN experts contribute to meetings of National/Regional

Networks Contribution to national policy development Organisation of seminars or study visits in collaboration with

National Networks EUCEN offers NN specific roles in EUCEN projects

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

National Networks’ link to EUCEN

Feed information into EUCEN and thus support policy development and lobbying at European levelServe as a forum for dissemination and valorisation of European projectsCollaboration in organising EUCEN conferences with individual host universities

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

3 Setting up a National Network: Lessons learned

1.) AUCEN: After almost 15 years: It is good to have a national network –

although there is competition, there are many things we can do together

to improve our strategies and our day-to-day-business.

2.) The better the quality of university continuing education and staff

development in Austria is, the better it is for all.

3.) The most important roles:• to find common ground and to have a voice at national level• to serve as a forum for building up professionalisation of both fields• to be a link to the European level.

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Lessons learned cooperating at European level:

1.) After 20 years EUCEN: It is a necessity to have a European network for

“learning through difference” at the level of national / regional policy, for

institutional strategy and of individual profiles of professionals shaping

their profession. (LEARNING OF INSTITUTIONS)

2.) The most important roles:• access to information, to institutions, to colleagues, and their professional

knowledge, to success stories,...• European projects as an important space for learning and extra income• voice in Europe.

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

And finally: Information or formal network?(Source: EUCEN Conference 2006)

Informal groups

• Can be more appropriate in smaller countries with fewer universitiesengaged in LLL

• They are not too bureaucratic and have greater flexibility e.g. inarranging meetings etc.

• Only the motivated people will be involved, so ensuring that theactivities lead to action back in their own institution

• They can be used as a way of seeing if there is a need for networkingand possibly could develop into a formal network as a second phase

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Formal networks

• They have a formally recognised position at national level i.e. greatervisibility, which assists in lobbying government etc.

• They are more likely to be able to take advantage of external fundingopportunities

• To join such a network is a formal commitment by the rector of theuniversity and member universities may be more likely to fundattendance at network meetings

• There is a critical mass of opinion, for example the network mightproduce common documents for guidance about common issues e.g.quality assurance.

• Most networks charge fees and this may discourage some small universitiesfrom joining.

• Many networks do not have paid staff and so they rely on membersgiving their own time to undertake the various duties

1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL

Contacts:

• Dr. Andrea Waxenegger, EUCEN Presidentandrea.waxenegger@uni-graz.at

• Ms Ilse Wieser, AUCEN Officeaucen@uni-graz.at ; www.aucen.ac.at

• Ms Carme Royo, EUCEN Executive Secretary carme.royo@eucen.org ; www.eucen.eu