Lifelong Learning and Higher Education The Hungarian and

Lifelong Learning and Higher Education The Hungarian and BME Perspective Péter Moson Dean, Faculty of Sciences and Vice-Rector for International Relations András Szűcs Director, Center for Learning Innovation and Adult Learning Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) – Rector: Gábor Péceli Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 1

The Lifelong Learning Strategy of Hungary (2006) n n Adopted by the Government - A multi-sectoral document (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour) Priorities: • equal opportunities; • strengthening links between the education/training system and the labour market; • application of new governance methods; • enhancing efficiency of the education and training system and increasing public and private investment; • improving the quality of education and training. Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 2

Hungarian Lifelong Learning Strategy Areas of intervention and policy principles n n n Development of basic skills and key competences Career guidance, counselling and monitoring Recognition of informal and non-formal learning Supporting disadvantaged groups and groups at risk on the labour market Establishment of a new teaching/learning culture �New teacher roles • • n enhancing the teachers’ self-reflectivity supporting the model of learning organisation Extending learning opportunities • Use of information and communication technologies • Development of distance learning • Prospects of informal learning, alternative learning forms Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 3

The Hungarian lifelong learning paradigm Novel approach: promoting collaboration of sectors, instead of following the content and structure of traditional sectoral strategies • Lifelong learning for the whole lifecycle: from pre-school education to retirement age; • Development of competences in focus – professional, social etc. competences, enabling people to retain integrity in the changing environment; • Schools should also build on knowledge acquired outside its walls – formal, non-formal and informal learning; • Learning for all: strategies offering new chance for drop-outs, programmes combating learning disorders, • New learning culture, shift in attitude n Learning is not only a tool for the appropriate job, but something positive in itself, with impact on several dimensions of the quality of life; n Motivation to learn to be increased, learning can become an enjoyable, rewarding and successful activity; Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 4

Lifelong Learning and the quality of life Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 5

Lifelong learning and universities: international context Increasing role of higher education in LLL: New challenges and opportunities n Lifelong Learning Charter of European universities • “Framework for universities to develop their specific contribution to the overall objectives of lifelong learning” n Lisbon Declaration of the Council of the European University Association (EUA, 2007): • “Universities understand the urgent need to make lifelong learning a reality in the years to come” n Bologna process monitoring finding: • „Majority of European universities consider lifelong learning as a high priority” n Lifelong learning - European cooperation - global competition: • Education sector emerging as a revenue producing one in medium term, • Professional developments extend across national borders. • Open co-ordination to take into account the best practices of the EU Member States, and the features of global competition in education-learning services Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 6

Lifelong learning and universities: tasks and perspectives Assessment of social usefulness, efficiency and market position of any educational institution will greatly depend on their contribution to the Lifelong Learning ! n Lifelong learning increasingly integrated in institutional university strategies • • n Expectations on lifelong learning at universities: • • n responding to national policy priorities adapting approach to changes of social-economic environment development and expansion of training offers, diversity of services, transparency and overview: easy assessment of the training subjects, the acquired knowledge and competence, and their market value, quality assurance, application of modern, flexible instructional methods as well as ICT support (e-learning). Organisational and operational changes • • greater openness, flexible learning paths, modular structures, support for credit accumulation and transfer, recognition of experiential, work-based or non-formal and informal prior learning, establishment of specific units for lifelong learning, Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 7

Hungarian national networking and collaboration for University Lifelong Learning n Hungarian Higher Education Lifelong Learning Network (MELLear. N) • In support of LLL strategy and methodology development at universities and for international collaboration n n Members: 23 universities and colleges Activities: n n n Annual Conferences, Workshops, Task Forces, Policy Papers, Surveys, Research, Case studies Dialogue with stakeholders/employers Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 8

Lifelong Learning activities and services at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics Continuing and adult education at the University: n over 400 courses/programmes approximately 9000 participants per year. Main institutional tasks concerning Lifelong Learning: n organizational – administrative • Registration and accreditation of the University as institution and its adult learning programs (according to the Law on Adult Learning 2001), • Reporting and provision of statistics to national authorities, • Quality assurance, • Support of the legal operations (contracts with students, tax benefits, etc. ), • Develop good relations with the stakeholders, the corporate sector and potential public sector employers n methodology support • Support for the University Departments in integration of lifelong and adult learning methods (including open and distance learning as well as e-learning) in the higher education context n information and promotion/marketing • provide information and promote the LLL developments, within the University • marketing of the continuing/adult training offers Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 9

The institutional service system at BME (integrated into faculties) n n Principle of organization and management: centralized governance – decentralized execution Service and resource centre approach to continuing-lifelong-adult education: „Center for Learning Innovation and Adult Learning” Institute for Continuing Engineering Education: the first such European institution (1939, 70 th Anniversary this year!) Financing: Market based, self-sustaining approach, generating income for the university. Increasing significance of EU (co-)funded projects. Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 10

Examples of EU Projects at BME in support of Lifelong Learning implementation n HEXTLEARN Higher Education exploring ICT use for Lifelong Learning EU Lifelong Learning Programme n MASSIVE Modelling Advice and Support Services to Integrate Virtual Component in Higher Education EU E-learning Programme Service areas: • University Strategies towards the integration of ICT in the teaching and learning practice • Evolution of University Libraries • Management of Intellectual Property Right issues • Support to teaching staff • Support to students • Development of online courses (Instructional Design) Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 11

Life Long Learning with open & distance learning in Hungary a historical perspective n n EU directives and support to establish open & distance learning Network of distance learning centres ( in the 90’s) created International (EDEN = European Distance Education Network – office at BME) and National committees Private distance learning university (Gabor Denes College) with early success (financial) Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 12

After the early open learning activities and some success in the private sector the real break-through did not happen at „classical” universities n n n New educational technologies and methods are spreading, but mainly as sole initiatives of teachers The traditional higher educational institutions do not support the idea The market is small ( Distances, population in Hungary are small, so the demand for distance learning is small (not like in the Nordic countries for example) Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 13

Lifelong learning strategy of BME The main principles: 1. BME’s first priority is to support all activities strenghtening its activities as a research university. 2. The continuing vocational training has priority over general lifelong learning courses 3. To offer courses based on the demand of enterprises, which often involves up-to -date, new technologies, enriching the regular engineering training Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 14

3. 4. The life-long learning of the teaching staff and any such related activity is encouraged which improves the quality of education Engineering education is heavily based on hands on training, procedures, tools, and materials. Therefore distance learning can only be a useful addition, can not be used as a complete training method. Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 15

2010 Budapest – Pécs, Hungary You are cordially invited to our next discussion in Budapest and Pécs ( Europe’s Culture Capital in 2010) September 16 -18, 2010 Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 16

BUDAPEST Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 17

PÉCS Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 18

Thank You for your attention ! 2010 – 100 years , Central Building Bratislava, Sept. 10. 2009. - Lifelong Learning - BME, Budapest 19