EUCEN European Universities Continuing Education Network Workshop: presentation of THENUCE (Thematic Network of University Continuing Education) project Tuesday, 22 June, 16.00-19.00, Hall M |
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| Description
of THENUCE The project was initiated by EUCEN, European Universities Continuing Education Network, under the leadership of its President Prof. Victor de Kosinsky who is the Project Co-ordinator. Since its founding meeting in May 1991 EUCEN has grown rapidly and today, with over 120 member universities in every major European country, it is the largest European University network in the field of continuing education. EUCEN was registered under Belgian law in February 1994 as an international non-profit association with pedagogic objectives. Its membership is institutional, consisting of high level European universities which deliver in their respective country the highest level degree or diploma (http://www.fe.up.pt/euecn/). Continuing Education is an integral and essential part of the universities contribution to European development through the provision of the Lifelong Learning process, as it is described in the Commission's "White Book". However, University Continuing Education (UCE) is not developed and practiced to the same extent and level in all European states and there are parts of Europe where it is almost totally non-existent. EUCEN has been set up in response to the need to serve more effectively the people of Europe through the transfer of good practice and innovation in UCE and through the identification and research of answers to obstacles to the provision of high quality UCE throughout Europe. The present Thematic Network proposal aims to give a new wider European dimension and target to the network activities, building on what EUCEN has recently started on a limited scale, by developing Europe-wide actions and means of identifying and disseminating such good practice. EUCEN also aims to promote closer co-operation with and between existing national associations. The Scientific Committee had the task of identifying and collecting existing good practice and obstacles/problems in consultation with all partners in their own country and to prepare a national report for the Committee. Based on the National Reports, the Scientific Committee Convenor in conjunction with all partners prepared a European Report on the theme, which, with the National Reports, will be a Working Document on European University Continuing Education. The expected discussion will address the current state of affairs, existing good practice and obstacles/problems. Several key issues were presented that need further development and research that should be addressed by dedicated working groups. During the second year the working groups will develop tools for the Scientific Committee with selected partners. The deliverables of the second operational year will be publications, active Internet networking, WWW homepages, traditional and ODL tools, courses, summer school, electronic journal, etc., to enhance the development of UCE and university staff on a European level. This will lead (in the 3rd dissemination year) to the acquisition of new knowledge, including recognition and validation of skills and introducing new more flexible ways of acquisition and accreditation of skills. Mobility and dialogue with the economic sector will also be targeted. Six task forces were created with the names of Handbook of UCE Management, Observatory of UCE, Training of UCE Managers, Dissemination of UCE, ICT/Multimedia and UCE and THENUCE Forum. |
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