This series of annual international workshops on Higher Education Reform (HER) has been taking place since 2004. Each workshop has focused on a particular theme reflecting particular objectives and directions of national and international reform agendas. This year's theme of wider access is arguably the most topical subject and urgent problem some countries are facing. This is certainly true for Europe with more that a million of mostly young refugees last year and more to arrive this and in the following years.
Some other countries and regions face similar problems although they are less dramatic in quantitative terms. Higher education systems there are under stress because of new demand and new clienteles but also urban-migration more generally. By contrast, in other countries demographic change and hence demand are going in the opposite direction putting stress on the education system for different reasons.
All of this occurs against the backdrop of economic globalization and worldwide competition for markets and resources, an economic system that will need, more than in the past, well educated and creative workers and entrepreneurs, and higher education systems that have been opened up and expanded in an unprecedented manner.
Please join us for the discussion at the Dublin HER Workshop (details featured below and attached).
Hans Schuetze
Emeritus Professor
University of British Columbia
Canada