In this fourth episode we introduce two of our new students who started their studies in 2013: Anette Løken and Enzo Rossi. The students are enrolled in the Hedda Master in Higher Education programme at the Faculty of Education (University of Oslo). In the video they share their first impressions of higher education as a research field, how a society without universities would look like, why studying higher education is important in modern societies and what they expect from the Master Programme.
Budget cuts and skills mismatches – doom and gloom in European higher education?
Tertiary education attainment
(Source: EU Education and Training Monitor )
Last week, the latest Education and Training Monitor was published by the European Commission, highlighting the impact of budget cuts on European higher education.
The Commission has been calling Member states to focus on “growth friendly expenditure“, including education and training, issuing individual recommendations to 17 countries in July 2013. However, the tendency is that funding available for education and training has been decreasing and budget cuts are a common phenomenon across Europe.
Europe 2020 Strategy has specified a target of 40% of people aged 30-34 holding a higher education degree, and while progress is slow, there has been steady increase towards that number. However, despite the average number looking good, this increase might only lead to more disparity between countries. Clear differences can be identified between countries like Greece and Italy on the one hand, and the likes of Ireland on the other. With successful countries increasing their attainment levels, the gap with the countries not following this increase is only likely to increase.
The Education and Training Monitor further refers to PIAAC results to highlight problems with adult skills and competencies in Europe, and how this would be a serious concern for competitiveness in Europe. The issue is also closely aligned with EU focus on lifelong learning, as the key findings suggest: ”Europe is facing a serious skills gap that risks hampering growth and employment in the future“. Furthermore, the ones participating in lifelong learning tend to be the ones who are young and highly educated. This is highlighted as an issue, as: “20% of 16 to 65 year-olds is unable to exceed a basic level of literacy and 24% is unable to do so in numeracy“. (more…)
Hedda blog upgrade coming up!
So, we thought we should inform you that we are now working on updating the Hedda site! We are currently working on the test version, and by all accounts the new site should be ready to launch in January 2014! Really exciting times, so time to do a little rounding up on the developments until today.
Hedda blog in 2006
There have been some changes since 2006 when the Hedda blog first started – such as the podcast series, videos and profiles with researchers, regular high quality guest entries and conference/event reviews.
While many things have changed, there is also continuity as we follow the path once set. In the very introductory post, on November 16th 2006, the post stated that the blog was to serve as a ”resource that is informative and inquisitive, (and) feature current research developments and projects in higher education, events, Bologna process developments, policy debates, conference information, late-breaking literature reviews and opinions on the dynamic nature of higher education around the globe“. This is what we aim to do, even if the scope has somewhat broadened.
So, why do we need a new site? While the current page is functional and works just fine, we at Hedda always strive to improve further. The world of ICT has been changing a lot lately with new devices and new means to stay connected. Hedda has always aimed to be in the forefront when it comes to using technology and the very existence of this blog is an outcome of such focus in the Hedda Master Programme in Higher Education. Therefore, it is only natural that we strive to continue this development further. The new site will be more responsive so you can read it on different kind of devices with equally good user experience, and it will also provide a much more dynamic base for further development of the site from our side.
Hedda blog in 2013
The site will also be better organised and create a much more efficient navigation system, so you can find the content you like and want to follow more easily. We also want to create an environment where it is also much easier to engage in the debate. All in all, we want to include you to the Hedda site much more.
Last but not least – while we think the current Hedda page looks pretty nice, the new one will be even better. We have had a sneak peek on the beautiful new layout and its wonderful! So now fingers crossed that the testing period will go fine and there will be no major problems!
So this holiday season will not stop with Christmas and New Year, on our site the countdown lasts until the launch of the new site!
Keep posted for more information!
Meanwhile – do you have any tips or recommendations on what you miss on the site?
Any functions you would find useful to have?
If you have any suggestions, be sure to leave a comment!
UNESCO working towards global recognition of higher education qualifications
In recent years, mobility of students and workforce has created increased attention on instruments that would make cross-border recognition of educational qualifications easier. This has frequently been presented as an issue and can understandably be a quite frustrating process to have your hard earned foreign diploma not recognized in your home country. While a number of regional initiatives have emerged world wide – are we now witnessing a more global effort in this area?
Lisbon Convention
UNESCOs convention on recognition of qualifications for the European region was adopted in 1997 in Lisbon, and is signed by all of the 47 countries in the Council of Europe with the exception of Greece and Monaco.
It introduced a rather novel idea at the time as it states that qualifications are to be recognized between the countries that have signed the regional convention unless the recognition granting institution can prove “substantial differences”. Basically this means that the process of recognition is turned around – by default one does not need to prove equivalence of degrees to assure recognition, but one has to prove that there is substantial difference for degrees not to recognize a qualification. This is also one of the reasons why Lisbon Recognition convention has been essential in the context of the Bologna Process.
Increased focus on cross-border mobility and recognition in Europe
Recognition and cross-border mobility seems to be a topic that is increasingly gaining focus, also in difficult economic times when mobility of labour force and students is perhaps more relevant than ever and the inherent benefits of mobility are frequently emphasized in political documents and official statements. (more…)
EUSA fellowships for PhD research related to European integration
The 2014 EUSA Haas Fund Fellowship Competition has recently been announced. This is an annual fellowship for graduate student EU-related dissertation research (including themes related to Europe of Knowledge!).
The fellowship honoring the memory of the late scholar Ernst B. Haas (1924-2003). They offer one or more unrestricted fellowship of at least $1,500 to support the dissertation research of any graduate student pursuing an EU-related dissertation topic in the academic year 2013-2014. Applicants must:
- be pursuing the doctoral degree (PhD) at an accredited institution in any country;
- be writing a dissertation in English;
- have an EU-related, doctoral dissertation topic approved by the professor who will supervise it; and,
- be able to demonstrate clearly the relevance to EU studies of the dissertation topic.
For application, you need to submit:
- A one-page précis of the project that specifies its relevance to EU Studies and describes how the fellowship would be used;
- A CV, and
- Ask for two letters of support to be sent directly to EUSA. These letters should be from professors serving on the student’s dissertation committee, and one should be the chair.
The applications should be sent by email to eusa@pitt.edu with the heading “2014 E.B. Haas Fund Fellowship competition.”
The firm deadline for applications to be received in the EUSA office is January 3, 2014.
The successful applicant will be notified in March of 2014, and will receive the grant soon thereafter. The fellowship will be paid in one lump sum by check and in US dollars only.
Assistant Professor position in Higher Education at Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The Graduate School of Education (GSE) at the Shanghai Jiao tong University is looking for a new Assistant Professor in the field of Higher Education. The position is full-time and a tenure-track with a strong focus on research.
The school is research focused with 25 full time academics and staff and around 60 graduate students. The school has a special focus on higher education and is best known for the “Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)” which it publishes every year since 2003. The school’s research centers on world-class universities, graduate education, and science and technology policy. The school is based in the Minhang campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China.
Candidates are expected to have a completed or near completed Ph.D. in Education or relevant field, and show a strong record of research accomplishments.
The successful applicant will become part of the Center for the Study of Graduate Education where he/she is expected to develop an externally funded research programme with significant national and international recognition. Teaching duties include graduate supervision and one course per year to graduate students.
Applicants should send a letter of application, a CV, and a writing sample, to kyu@sjtu.edu.cn
The closing date is December 31, 2013.