Maria Helena NazaréUniversidade de AveiroPortugal

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 2010------

Evolution of 65+ age group 2004-2014

Average age of population 20042014

unemployment Youth

The national policy reform process remains very dynamic but IS NO

LONGER CONVERGENT even within the EU.

Funding QA Student recruitment Internationalisation Governance&Autonomy0

4

8

12

16

20

Comparison 2010-20152010 2015

Reforms with high degree of importance

nº o

f Cou

ntrie

s

The Changed Context 2010------ 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 2008-2014

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.

42%

20%

16%

10%

9%

3%

Enrolment change (last 5 years)

Increased by more than 10%

Increased by less than 10%

Decreased by less than 10%

No change

Decreased by more than 10%

No information

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.

39%

35%

14%

10%

2

Expected development of student enrolment

Will increase Remain at current level

Will decrease Impossible to predict

NA

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!

Non-EU

EU

FT

Disabled

PT

Socio-economic disadvantaged

Mature

Ethnic minority

Without standard entry qualifcations

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

NA No change

Decreased Increased

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

Light House