News

This section provides news about PASCAL together with significant developments in policy and research relating to the areas of interest to PASCAL. It is based on regular scanning of policy, practice and academic literature, including web-based sources.

We invite readers to submit items for consideration. Please send your contributions to our Submissions Administrator.

PASCAL publishes details of the Learning Cities 2020 programme

Posted September 30, 2013 - 08:51

PASCAL International Observatory is pleased to announce the publication of the first details of the forthcoming Learning Cities 2020 Programme.

The Learning Cities 2020 programme consists of a suite of studies to enable cities and regions to maximise their competitive advantage. The brochure featured below and attached introduces the options, ranging from local analysis of the latest data on lifelong learning, skills and economic performance, the benchmarking of current practice, to masterclasses by international experts to help local policy appraisal and development. PASCAL can organise intensive local skills surveys if required. PASCAL will be pleased to tailor a package to meet individual city requirements.

The European social model, a key driver for competitiveness - Cedefop Press Release

Posted September 27, 2013 - 09:05

(Brussels, Belgium): The European social model is more important than ever to help tackle the jobs crisis in Europe, participants were told at the joint EU agencies and European Parliament event on the European social model and competitiveness in Brussels on 25 September 2013. The European social model relies on partnership, trust and consultation for finding fair and productive solutions. Enshrined in the EU treaties, social dialogue is an integral part of the system.

European Commission launches 'Opening up Education' to boost innovation and digital skills in schools and universities

Posted September 27, 2013 - 08:19

More than 60% of nine year olds in the EU are in schools which are still not digitally equipped. The European Commission today unveils 'Opening up Education', an action plan to tackle this and other digital problems which are hampering schools and universities from delivering high quality education and the digital skills which 90% of jobs will require by 2020.

European higher education in the world

Posted September 26, 2013 - 08:07

Globalisation and technological development are radically changing the landscape of higher education. Over the next twenty years the demand for higher education is expected to grow exponentially, from the current 99 million students worldwide to 414 million by 2030, with China showing by far the highest increase in recent years followed by Brazil and India. The thirst for knowledge and social mobility in emerging economies will place higher education within the reach of hundreds of millions of citizens around the world.

Subscribers will be interested in this latest communication from the European Commission related to the role of European HE in the world. The document contains a number of policy recommendations for nation states.