European Experts to Discuss the Higher Education Transformation and the Importance of Alliances

As the education ecosystem changes, European university alliances are leading the way in this transformation. How bold should educational innovation in Europe be? Are we ready for big changes? What steps do we need to take today to modernize the education system? The participants of the forum “Higher Education Transformation: Alliances as a Strategic Direction” on 9 December will look for answers to these and similar questions.

The event will gather representatives of the state and public institutions, higher education visionaries and practitioners from European university alliances for a general discussion. The Minister of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania Jurgita Šiugždinienė will give an opening speech. Speakers and forum participants from across Europe will present bold visions and necessary changes in higher education.

The forum will discuss the ongoing transformation of the role of European universities, discuss the near future of education, and highlight key challenges and obstacles that may hinder the ambitious goals of European universities.

Peter van der Hijden, an independent adviser on higher education strategy from Brussels, will read a report “European Universities: Turning a Vague Concept into Success for Yourself and Others.” Dr Danica Ramljak, Senior Science and Innovation Consultant at the World Bank’s Competitiveness and Innovation Group, will invite to discuss the EU university networks and them being a potentially important factor in achieving a breakthrough in skills and the economy in Lithuania.

Màrius Martínez, Vice-Rector for International Relations at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and ECIU President, discuss the European Diploma and the opportunities it opens up for the education system, and Dr Daniela Trani, Director of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE), will talk about the development of the European University Alliance in her presentation “The European University Alliance’s Journey: from Dream to Reality.”

Colin Tück, Director of the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education, will read and discuss the report “Quality Assurance in Europe: Removing Obstacles to Support Cross-Border Cooperation.” The last speaker of the forum, Andrius Zalitis, Adviser to the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, will present the European Universities Initiative and the potential for a breakthrough.

The event will end with a discussion moderated by journalist and writer Dovydas Pancerovas “The Value Created by University Alliances: Is Higher Education and Business Ready for a Change?”. Gintautas Jakštas, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Elijus Čivilis, CEO of Invest in Lithuania, Klaudijus Melys, a teacher of economics and entrepreneurship, and a representative from the Ministry of Economics and Innovation will take part in the discussion.

The forum “Higher Education Transformation: Alliances as a Strategic Direction” will be held in Lithuanian and English with simultaneous interpretation into both languages. The event will be broadcast live on the DELFI portal on 9 December from 10 AM to 1:30 PM.

The forum is initiated by Kaunas University of Technology. Event partners: Vilnius University, Klaipėda University, Vytautas Magnus University, and VILNIUS TECH.