In its recent communication on a European strategy for universities (January 18th, 2022), the European Commission highlights its will to support all higher education institutions in Europe, to provide them with the necessary tools to adapt to a changing environment, to thrive and contribute to the resilience and recovery of Europe. As such, universities should become « lighthouses of our European way of life » and « actors of change in the twin green and digital transitions ».
As recognized knowledge powerhouses, universities are now expected to actively connect with local communities and societies at large to contribute to answering social challenges, in particular in connection to the SDGs. This requires that universities transform the way they educate students by promoting project-based learning and encouraging local engagement as well as the way they do research: how do we empower learners to address complex societal and promote sustainability in our communities and beyond? How do we build a transformative research agenda that takes into account our surrounding ecosystems?
In the frame of the French Presidency of the council of the European Union, the MSMT, the DZS and the French Embassy in the Czech Republic are organizing an event bringing together universities, local and national authorities and representatives of civil society to discuss these questions with a particular focus on the role of European university alliances, « a source of inspiration for the wider higher education community » (Proposal for a Council Recommendation on building bridges for effective European higher education cooperation, 2022).
How can EUA help design reproductible approaches to tackle this challenge? What has already been done? More generally, how does the frame offered by the European Union can contribute to changing our overall approach to this central issue?
Wednesday, May 11th, 2022 from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Language: English
Location: Patriotic Hall of Carolinum | Charles University in Prague, Ovocný trh 560/5, 110 00 Staré Město (limited in-person attendance) or online
On registration (registration form on top of the page or here)
Tentative programme:
8.45 - 9.15 — Registration and welcome coffee
9.15 - 9.45 — Welcome words: Alexis Dutertre, Ambassador of France to the Czech Republic ; Prof. MUDr. Milena Králíčková, Rector of Charles University ; Jaroslav Miller, Deputy minister, MŠMT ; Michal Uhl, Director, DZS
9.45 - 10.15 — Keynote speech on social engagement in the academic community
Michaela Šojdrová, Member of the European Parliament
10:15 - 11:05 — First panel discussion: How to systematically embed civic engagement in training
Speakers include: Palacky University, Sorbonne Université, Student Chamber of Higher Education Council, ČVUT
11.30 - 12:20 — Second panel discussion: Research and innovation with and for society.
Speakers include: Center for knowledge and technology transfer - Charles University, Technology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences, IKEA
Moderator: Aleš Vlk, former adviser to the Minister of Education of the Czech Republic and co-founder of the online magazine on science and research Vědavyzkúm.
