2024 CG High-Level Seminar on Education Policy, Iaşi:
“(Generative) Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education”
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, 21-22 November 2024
The 6th Coimbra Group High-Level Seminar on Education Policy explored and discussed both the benefits and challenges of integrating generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the academic life, by approaching a wide range of timely topics:
- The need to embed AI literacy as part of the broader digital literacy into the study programmes, but also to acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of incorporating generative AI into curriculum design;
- The potential of generative AI to enhance teaching, learning and assessment in higher education;
- The promise of generative AI to create new opportunities to foster creativity across academic communities, and to support equity and inclusion (through personalized learning, interactive learning experiences, real-time feedback, etc.);
- The role of generative AI in (re)considering university teachers’ roles and workloads;
- The need for ethical considerations to be well thought-out (ensuring academic integrity, promoting responsible AI use, addressing potential biases in AI-generated content, etc) and explicitly addressed in institutional policies and educational practices.
This event was designed to offer Rectors and Vice-Rectors for Education of Coimbra Group Universities, as well as Vice-Rectors for Internationalisation, and the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the twelve CG Working Groups, unique perspectives, valuable knowledge, dynamic dialogues and an engaging experience on the responses to the widespread adoption of generative AI tools in our academic communities.
There was a fantastic line-up of keynote speakers with expertise across and beyond the academic sector:
- Beatrix Busse, University of Cologne, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Teaching, Coimbra Group Executive Board Vice-Chair
- Pinar Heggernes, University of Bergen, Vice-Rector for Education and Digital Knowledge, Member of the Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium
- Florin Olariu, Centric IT Solutions Romania, Technical Manager, Member of an OpenAI working group
- Simon Roy, OECD, Head of Higher Education Policy at the Directorate of Education and Skills.
- Vincent Wade, Trinity College Dublin, Chair of Computer Science (Est. 1990), Co-Founder of ADAPT SFI Research Centre for AI & Digital Media Technologies, Co-Director of SFI Centre for Postgraduate Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality (School of Computer Science & Statistics)
The members of the CG Education Innovation Working Group also presented institutional policies and academic practices on the use of generative AI tools, along with a number of relevant examples from across Coimbra Group Universities.
Event summary:
Simon Roy (OECD) delivered the first keynote speech titled “The Implications of Higher Education for Successful Digital Transformation and Trustworthy AI.” He emphasized that while AI holds significant potential to transform education and society, the adaptation of higher education institutions (HEIs) to this emerging landscape remains under-researched. Drawing from the OECD’s publication of recommendations on AI, he highlighted the critical need for HEIs to proactively address the risks and opportunities of AI integration.Roy described the transition from generative AI, which enhances productivity, to agentive AI, which introduces increased autonomy into systems. This shift underscores the importance of preparing students and educators for the ethical, practical, and economic implications of AI. He warned about gaps in AI literacy, particularly among students and educators, and noted potential inequities in the labor market due to uneven access to AI resources. His call to action included fostering critical judgment skills, understanding the EU AI Act, and promoting equitable and inclusive implementation of AI in education.
The second keynote was delivered by Pinar Heggernes (University of Bergen) who spoke about “Education in Digital Transformation and Digital Transformation in Education.” Her perspective underscored the interplay between these two dimensions, emphasizing that the digital transformation of higher education is as critical as the role of education in advancing broader societal digitalization.
Heggernes traced Norway’s leadership in AI through milestones such as the establishment of the Norwegian AI Research Consortium in 2018 and the Norwegian National Strategy for AI in 2020. She described how the University of Bergen has integrated AI into its curricula through initiatives like the UiB AI project and innovative short courses that build digital competencies. Her address highlighted the importance of equipping students with general and targeted skills, emphasizing lifelong learning to prepare them for the complexities of AI-driven industries.
Her address also acknowledged challenges, such as Europe’s lag in digital transformation compared to other regions, the importance of research into AI algorithms, and the need to overcome resource constraints and resistance to change in academia. She concluded with a call to promote collaboration between disciplines to expand AI’s benefits in research, teaching, and society at large.
Vincent Wade (Trinity College Dublin) delivered a thought-provoking keynote on the transformative potential of generative AI in higher education, titled “Generative AI: Opportunities, Challenges, and Educational Transformation.”. Wade underscored that while generative AI offers significant benefits, including enhanced productivity and creative possibilities, its adoption is fraught with challenges such as academic integrity concerns, resource constraints, and ethical issues like hallucination, intellectual property rights, and inclusivity gaps. He pointed out that integrating AI meaningfully requires a phased approach—building awareness, providing targeted training, transforming teaching practices, involving students in co-creation, and conducting applied interdisciplinary research.
Wade also called for a human-centric approach, reminding participants of the irreplaceable role of educators in guiding students toward responsible and effective use of AI. He highlighted the importance of fostering skills like critical thinking and ethical decision-making to ensure students and teachers can navigate the complexities of generative AI. Looking to the future, Wade advocated for collaborative efforts, including consortia to ensure inclusivity, investment in fine-tuning AI tools for educational needs, and addressing ethical concerns like data privacy and equity.
Beatrix Busse (University of Cologne)’s keynote delved into the intricate interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and human well-being, offering a profound exploration of the challenges and opportunities AI presents in educational and societal contexts. She framed her discussion within the realities of our “VUCA” (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) and “BANI” (brittle, anxious, nonlinear, incomprehensible) world, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global challenges like climate change, technological advancement, and social equity. Central to her address was the need to balance human-centric and machine-driven processes, advocating for an approach that respects and nurtures human values while leveraging AI’s potential.
Drawing inspiration from the EUniWell mission and her own academic work, Prof. Busse highlighted the importance of addressing both eudaimonic (meaning-driven) and hedonic (pleasure-driven) aspects of well-being. This dual approach, she argued, is essential for creating a holistic framework for education and innovation. She also discussed the transformative nature of generative AI and its implications for learning and human interaction, raising critical questions about how AI systems are trained and the reliability, validity, and objectivity of the data they process.
Through a multidisciplinary lens, Busse outlined the four dimensions of AI and well-being, focusing on competencies, post-digital education, and their broader societal impacts. Her keynote emphasized how AI challenges traditional human roles and expectations, often reshaping narratives while creating opportunities for reflection. She also addressed the political and ecological dimensions of AI, urging a balance between technological potential and sustainable human values.
Beatrix Busse concluded by highlighting the vital role of universities in navigating the complexities of AI, especially in the context of tech giants and rapid digital transformation. She called for education systems to integrate these insights into academic strategies, fostering dialogue, inclusivity, and the critical skills needed to shape a sustainable and equitable future for all.
The final keynote speaker, Florin Olariu (Centric IT Solutions Romania, OpenAI), addressed the topic of “AI in Education,” with a particular focus on generative AI’s transformative potential in higher education. He outlined how AI is already outperforming humans in specific domains, such as industry leadership, scientific research, and regulatory advancements. His talk also examined AI’s implications for employability, emphasizing the need to address skill gaps and ethical concerns.
Olariu highlighted recent breakthroughs, such as Microsoft’s investments in OpenAI and GitHub Copilot X and discussed how these tools offer enhanced features for educational purposes. However, he also drew attention to critical challenges, such as intellectual property, academic integrity, and the risks of bias and exclusion, calling for robust policies and collaboration to mitigate these concerns.
These keynote speeches collectively set the stage for rich discussions and reflections throughout the seminar, inviting all the Coimbra Group participants to engage with the complex yet promising intersections of AI and education.
The Voice of the Students on AI
Students from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași brought fresh perspectives to the seminar, sharing their experiences with generative AI tools and their visions for its future in education. They emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, proposing the development of community-led initiatives dedicated to improving AI literacy and access. In their view, equipping both students and teachers with the skills needed to effectively use AI, starting with mastering good prompting techniques, remains essential. Students highlighted how AI can trigger creativity, assist in learning, and offer tools for self-evaluation, but they also noted that its potential is often underutilized due to a lack of awareness and training among users.
Beyond technical skills, students stressed that the main challenges in adopting AI are social. Motivation, the human factor, and the emotional components of digitalization often determine the success or failure of AI integration. While many embraced a sense of techno-optimism, particularly regarding AI’s potential for adaptive learning, they raised concerns about equity and inclusion. They argued that without addressing these issues, the benefits of AI might remain inaccessible to marginalized groups. Students called for increasing the digital literacy of teachers as a key step in overcoming these barriers, emphasizing that inclusive and equitable access to AI-driven tools is critical for education’s digital transformation.
Education Innovation WG: Debrief on current trends and outcomes of the survey on AI
The Coimbra Group’s Education Innovation Working Group (EDU WG), represented by Vanessa Vigano and François Lecellier, presented the results of a survey on generative AI (GenAI) conducted across member institutions. The survey aimed to identify emerging trends, foster collaboration, and promote best practices for AI integration in higher education. Findings revealed that the primary use of GenAI is in pedagogical activities and content creation, though concerns about academic integrity and plagiarism remain prominent. Other issues, such as privacy, data security, and content quality, were also highlighted.
The survey showed varying levels of GenAI adoption, with 61% of institutions reporting the use of tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Scite, and Trinka, while 85% of respondents indicated that many users still do not actively engage with these tools. Training efforts are underway, focusing primarily on academic staff (80%), administrative staff (60%), and students (53%), with online courses being the preferred method for students and synchronous workshops for staff. The EDU WG emphasized the need for follow-up surveys and inter-working group collaboration to refine policies and further align training and resource development with institutional priorities.
Final Roundtable
The final panel highlighted several key points that the Coimbra Group must address moving forward.
One of the central themes was the crucial role of the Humanities in understanding and navigating the ethical, social, and political implications of AI. As AI continues to shape the future of higher education, it is essential for universities to lead discussions on its risks and its potential to either exacerbate or reduce societal inequalities. Incorporating a humanities perspective into AI research and applications will ensure that these technologies are developed and implemented in a way that is ethically sound and inclusive. Universities must play a key role in fostering these conversations, particularly as AI challenges traditional academic boundaries and transforms disciplines.
A significant emphasis was also placed on the importance of inclusivity, with a call to ensure that AI is accessible to all students and academic staff, regardless of their background or discipline. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into educational practices, it is essential to address the gender dimension, ensuring to limit discriminatory biases and that both women and men have equal opportunities to participate in AI research and the development of AI-related technologies. Moreover, institutions must ensure that these opportunities extend to all students, regardless of their socio-economic status, to avoid reinforcing existing disparities. AI must be inclusive in its implementation and usage, and universities have the responsibility to guide the integration of these tools in a way that promotes equity and equal access.
The session also underscored the need for a coordinated approach to AI adoption, particularly through collaboration with industry and government. Sharing best practices among institutions, developing strong partnerships, and ensuring that universities can actively engage with and influence the development of AI technologies will be vital in shaping the future of higher education. The panel emphasized the importance of not just adopting AI technologies, but critically assessing their implementation and outcomes.
For more information, please consult the event web page.
2023 CG High-Level Seminar on Research Policy, Brussels:
“Achieving Excellence at Universities: What does it mean in times of multiple crises?”
University Foundation, 13-14 November 2023
The 6th Coimbra Group High-Level Seminar on Research Policy will examine the systemic components of excellence, looking across the spectrum of Universities’ missions (education, research, innovation and service to society) as well as at related human resources-related policies (e.g. careers, equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI), research assessment…). It will also address relevant policy actions under the European Research Area. Furthermore, the seminar will draw on the experience learnt by CG members with the Horizon Europe programme and address strategic questions on how to shape the best possible FP10 in this regard.
With this seminar, the Executive Board particularly intends to:
– Provide a space for reflection at CG leadership level on the concept of excellence in higher education, a concept which is often overused, and in so many ways that it may even be misused sometimes.
– Consolidate CG vision on these issues and provide new input to the implementation of the European Research Area Policy Agenda – notably for action 13 (European Excellence Initiative) as well as for actions 3 (research assessment) and 4 (research careers).
– Offer opportunities to CG Rectors and Vice-Rectors for Research to strengthening links as a community and to establish direct contact with high-level decision makers from the EU institutions.
Achieving these objectives will be facilitated through:
– Keynote speeches providing overview of current research, and insights from the leadership and policy level.
– Quality discussion time with Commission’s representatives at various levels.
– Roundtables with Rectors from CG Universities and other experts, seeking to reflect on existing practices, strategies and trends and to generate new ideas for further improvement.
– Networking lunch and dinner.
We are pleased to already confirm the presence of high-level speakers Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation, and Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council. More speakers will be confirmed in the following weeks.
Coimbra Group High-Level Seminar on Research Policy are geared towards Rectors and Vice-Rectors for Research and for Internationalisation of the CG Universities.
For more information, please contact info@coimbra-group.eu
Joint Montevideo Group-Coimbra Group High-level Workshop: “Strengthening academic collaboration between Latin America and Europe”
Montevideo, Uruguay, 5-6 December 2022
Rectors and Vice-Rectors from Universities in Coimbra Group (CG) and the Association of Universities Grupo Montevideo (AUGM), will meet at a High-Level workshop taking place on the 5th and 6th of December in Montevideo, Uruguay. The event is aimed at strengthening collaboration between European and Latin American Universities through an exchange that allows strategic consolidation of the scientific and political priorities across both university groups around education, research and innovation. The event builds on the civic responsibility of the universities through their core mission of representing solid institutions of research and research-based education in contemporary societies.
Please find here the concept note and the preliminary programme of the event. Although this is an in-person event, there will be the possibility to follow some of the sessions online.
The event will count with the participation from international organisations, such as EU-LAC, UNESCO, DG RTD, Euraxess, representatives from European Embassies in Uruguay, and student associations, to enable an understanding of opportunities for collaboration, priorities across international communities and addressing the role of universities in emerging global challenges around open science, climate emergency, diversity and inclusion.
2022 CG High-Level Seminar on Education Policy, Uppsala:
“From learning spaces to learning environments”
Uppsala University, 9-10 November 2022
The High-Level Seminar on Education Policy at Uppsala University took place on 9th-10th November 2022, on the topic “From Learning Spaces to Learning Environments.” The event intended to focus on the following overarching questions related to the topic:
- How can universities ensure the broader adoption and more integrated use of often costly, innovative spaces for teaching and learning, in order to benefit a high number of students and contribute to the positive return on educational investment?
- How can we ensure that the many lessons learnt during the Covid-19 crisis can be turned into fruitful, pedagogical development, creating learning environments which make the best possible use of both online and campus-based activities?
- How can our universities, at all levels, share experiences, best practices, and strategies for the development of creative, sustainable and inclusive learning environments – whether they are physical or virtual, and whether they concern courses or the entire campus? How can we best learn from each other?
Worldwide, universities have invested considerable resources in the construction of new, physical learning spaces, often equipped with different digital technologies. During the Covid-19 crisis, the use of online, virtual learning spaces also expanded quickly. Coimbra Group institutions are no exception in the area of vividly developing virtual and digital technologies. Our universities have been creating and running innovative facilities and are well positioned to present a broad spectrum of various learning spaces. Locally, at Uppsala University which hosted the 2022 Seminar, several new learning spaces have been developed. Both brand new, such as the Experimental Classroom at Campus Blåsenhus, as well as redesigned rooms.
Taking these realities into consideration, the 2022 High Level Policy Seminar gave Rectors and Vice-Rectors for Education of Coimbra Group Universities an opportunity to engage in strategic-perspective conversations on the evolving relationship between learning environments and education policy. Participants had a chance to benefit from the following diverse agenda items:
• Introduction to examples of innovative teaching and learning activities during the Walkabout Session which featured innovative use of learning spaces within the Coimbra Group network prepared by Education Innovation Working Group members,
• Interaction with both teachers and students of Uppsala University on their respective experiences,
• Insights from current research on new learning spaces delivered by three keynote speakers: Marie Leijon from Malmö University, Sandra Kučina Softić from the University of Zagreb and Brent Carnell from University College London,
• Exchange, with peers and experts, on aspects of critical importance for the successful development of academic learning environments during the Workshop and the Roundtable discussion on the second day of the Seminar.
This High-Level Seminar intended to reflect on the conclusions coming from both research and practice and translate them into the strategic-oriented conversations. Ten months after its adoption by the European Commission, the new European Strategy for Universities (ES4U) provided a baseline for discussion, with the objective to address the topics presented below and provide recommendations for ES4U translation into tangible outcomes for our institutions:
- Creating and using living labs in the context of effective campus development,
- Supporting effective strategies for the Assessment of Learning Spaces,
- Implementing equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) values into the creation of Learning Environments,
- Facilitating and promoting transnational teaching at universities,
- Enabling effective strategies for professional development of academic staff in the context of teaching innovations,
- Creating of genuinely international, sustainable learning environments in the realm of European University Alliances,
- Preparing graduates to be critically thinking well-informed European citizens by using university heritage collections,
- Creating synergies that enable educational projects to improve teaching & learning activities sustainably.
This year’s Seminar gathered nearly 50 participants coming from diverse locations of Coimbra Group universities across Europe, which was reflected in rich contributions and led to quality and creative discussions. The High-Level Seminar in Uppsala continues the annual tradition of Coimbra Group high-level policy events addressing issues of key concerns in, alternately, education and research policies.
High-Level Seminar in Uppsala Programme
Presentations of keynote speakers:
Marie Leijon, Malmö University: Hybrid learning spaces – a hype or a hope?
Sandra Kučina Softić, University of Zagreb: Rethinking Learning Space for 21st century Student
Recordings of keynote sessions:
Marie Leijon, Malmö University: Hybrid learning spaces – a hype or a hope?
Sandra Kučina Softić, University of Zagreb: Rethinking Learning Spaces for 21st century Student
Wrap-up Summary « (available shortly) »
Key Recommendations from the Workshop « (available shortly) »
Good practices of learning environments from Coimbra Group universities
2021 CG High-Level Seminar on Research Policy, Geneva:
“The Coimbra Group Meets the United Nations”
Palais des Nations, Geneva, 21-22 October 2021
The High-Level Seminar on Research Policy took place in 2021 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on the topic “The Coimbra Group Meets the United Nations”.
Jointly organised by the Coimbra Group, the University of Geneva and the UN Library & Archives, this seminar was intended as a forum for informal dialogue on Science Diplomacy, with a specific focus on the impact of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) on research and the contribution of research to the SDGs.
The Rectors and Vice-Rectors for Research and for International of Coimbra Group Universities were joined by heads of UN agencies, government officials, think-tanks impact investors and representatives of other international actors such as the CERN or the World Economic Forum, to discuss the roadmap towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
The keynotes were delivered by Amb. Jürg Lauber, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations in Geneva, and by Ms Anna Panagopoulou, Director for ERA & Innovation at the European Commission (DG RTD).
The seminar successfully contributed to:
- Empower universities in bridging/cooperating/increasing their engagement with international organisations through a dialogue between academic research, on one side, and the UN SDG framework and its redefinition towards 2030 on the other side;
- Provide an overview of existing initiatives in the field of science-policy interface with international organisations;
- Offer opportunities to Coimbra Group universities’ Rectors and Vice-Rectors to establish direct contact with high-level decision makers of UN agencies based in Geneva and discuss possible collaborations.
Two roundtables were held dealing with “Leveraging science and knowledge to achieve the SDGs: views of four different stakeholders” and “Strengthening the Interface between Science and Policy”.
The participants also took part in a creative interactive session using futures-thinking which key messages have been captured in a graphic recording visible below.
Presentation Peter Lievens: Sustainability at KU Leuven
2020 CG High-Level Webinar on Education Policy, online:
“Challenges and future of internationalisation in the European Knowledge Area”
3-4 December 2020
The High-Level Webinar on Education took place on 3rd – 4th December 2020, on the topic “Challenges and future of internationalisation in the European Knowledge Area”.
The Coimbra Group ambitions to play a proactive role in the discussions that will shape the European Knowledge Area (“EKA”), drawing on the education- and research-led profile of its 41 member universities, and also on its network-wide expertise in the field of physical mobility as well as collaborative and online teaching accumulated since the very beginning to the Erasmus experience.
Our recent Report on “Practices at Coimbra Group Universities in response to COVID-19” together with our Position Paper on the Digital Education Plan pointed out the crucial need to foster a multi-scale reflection on the mid- and long-term perspectives of academic mobility (students, teachers, researchers) and teaching innovation: from the viewpoints of students and teachers, but also of university managers, as well as national and European policymakers.
Without diminishing the irreplaceable and central role of physical mobility of students, academics (teachers and researchers), and staff in the building of the EKA, the Coimbra Group will now undertake a systematic assessment of the recent experiences and initiatives concerning Virtual Exchange (VE) and innovative online tools and activities (incl. courses).
This High Level Webinar on Education Policy took the first decisive steps in this direction via
1) a review of the current trends in collaborative forms of VE and innovative teaching,
2) a multi-scale analysis and
3) concrete recommendations on their future implementation and roll-out.
This webinar continues the annual tradition of Coimbra Group high-level policy seminars addressing issues of key concerns in, alternately, education and research policies.
Wrap-up Summary and Key Takings from the sessions
Presentations
Session 1: Review of challenges and opportunities
- Jürgen Barkhoff, Trinity College Dublin, Executive Board Vice-Chair
- Ben Williamson, University of EdinburghCritical approaches to the ‘digital transformation’ of higher educationBen Williamson – script
- Robert O’Dowd, University of LeónVirtual Exchange in the new EC Communications and programmesRob ODowd – key links
- Francesca Helm, University of Padova, Chair of the Education Innovation Working Group
- Dorota Maciejowska, Jagiellonian University Krakow, Chair of the Academic Exchange and Mobility Working Group
Session 2: Building concrete solutions via institutional innovations
- Danny Donoghue, Durham University, Executive Board Member
- Benchmarking international outlook of Coimbra Group universities
- Sara Laginder, Uppsala UniversityReaction to long-term challenges for mobility posed by the pandemic
- Stefania Mellera, University of PaviaCareer services’ adaptations in face of the new situation generated by COVID19
Session 3: Building concrete solutions via collaborative innovations
- Lenka Rovná, Charles University in Prague, Executive Board Member
- Stanisław Kistryn, Vice-Rector, Jagiellonian University Krakow, Una EuropaExample of innovative solutions developed at the level of Una Europa
- Dorothy Kelly, Vice-Rector, University of Granada, ArqusExample of innovative solutions developed at the level of Arqus
- Dana Samson, Vice-Rector, Catholic University of Louvain & Berit Eika, Pro-Rector, Aarhus University, Circle U.
Example of innovative solutions developed at the level of Circle U.
Session 4: Recommendations for the future of mobility and internationalisation in the
European Knowledge Area
- Ludovic Thilly, University of Poitiers, Executive Board Chair
- Sophia Eriksson-Waterschoot, Director for Youth, Education and Erasmus+, European Commission
- Dirk Van Damne, Senior Counsellor, OECD Directorate for Education and SkillsProspects for Mobility and Internationalization
Dirk Van Damne – key links - Cisca Wijmenga, Rector, University of Groningen
- Eva Åkesson, Vice-Chancellor, University of Uppsala
- Beatrix Busse, Vice-Rector, University of Cologne
- Kostis Giannidis, President, Erasmus Student Network
2019 CG High-Level Seminar on Education Policy, Tartu:
“Universities as drivers of socio-academic integration in multilingual Europe”
2-3 December 2019, Tartu
The High-Level Seminar on Education took place at the University of Tartu, 2nd – 3rd December 2019, on the topic “Universities as drivers of socio-academic integration in multilingual Europe”.
On the occasion, the Coimbra Group announced the first international benchmarking results.
This seminar continues the annual tradition of Coimbra Group high-level policy seminars addressing issues of key concerns in, alternately, education and research policies.
Presentations
Prof. Ludovic Thilly, Chair of the Executive Board of the Coimbra Group
Director-General Themis Christophidou, DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
Nick Pidgeon, i-graduate
Prof. Sanja Boskovic, Poitiers
Prof. Birute Klaas, Tartu
Prof. Riitta Pyykkö, Vice-Rector, Turku
Prof. Catherine Montgomery, Durham
Prof. Jasperina Brouwer, Groningen
2018 CG High-Level Seminar on Research Policy, San Servolo:
“Defining and measuring impact of level Seminar on Research : Policy an interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach”
6-7 December 2018, San Servolo
Since 2013, the Coimbra Group has organised high-level policy seminars on research to address current issues in European research policy of key importance to member universities and to the European research community. The high-level policy seminars have been organised in collaboration with the Venice International University based on the Isola di San Servolo, Venice.
The high-level policy seminars are intended as a forum for informal dialogue between university rectors, stakeholders and key decision makers in European research policy.
The theme chosen by the Executive Board of the Coimbra Group for 2018 was “Defining and measuring impact of research: an inter-disciplinary and inter-sectoral approach”. The rationale is based on the increasing importance of research impact assessment currently observed in national, European and international research programmes, and expected to increase further in the future, in particular within the ninth European Research and Innovation Framework Programme, Horizon Europe, and associated Open Science policies. At the high-level seminar, we aimed at gathering Coimbra Group rectors and experts from the field to reflect on the current state of research impact definitions and associated indicators, considering the different disciplines, sectors and viewpoints of involved funding bodies. A specific focus was on one of the recent developments in research policy, i.e. the introduction of a mission-oriented approach and its impact on Research and Innovation practices in general. The seminar was composed of four main sessions: the first aimed at providing information on the latest developments in FP9 and mission-oriented research, while the second and third sessions focused on inter-disciplinary and inter-sectoral definitions and assessments of research impact. The last session introduced case studies on how to develop a research impact culture at universities.
Among the invited key note speakers and discussants were key stakeholders in European research policy, representatives from European institutions, leading researchers and policy officers from member universities, rectors from member universities as well as representatives from other European university networks. As at earlier high-level policy seminar, the 2018 event was attended by Rectors and Vice Rectors for Research at our member universities from all over Europe together with their senior research support officers. It was intended to offer senior representatives at our member universities a forum for discussion of issues arising from the design and implementation of the Horizon Europe.
Presentations
Opening addresses
The Honorary President of the Coimbra Group, Rector Ricardo Rivero Ortega
Representative of the Venice International University, Ambassador Umberto Vattani
Venice International University
The Chair of the Executive Board of the Coimbra Group, Prof. Ludovic Thilly
Session 1: Status of FP9, Horizon Europe
Session 2: How to define research impact
Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President of the European Research Council
Prof. Anders Flodström, Education Director of EIT Digital
Session 3: How to define and measure research impact – funders’ views
Jean-Claude Burgelman, Head of Unit B2 “Open Science”, DG Research & Innovation, European Commission
Chonnettia Jones, Director of Insight and Analysis, Wellcome Trust
Session 4: How to develop a research impact culture?
First Coimbra Group High-Level Workshop on “Lifelong Learning and Employability”
24 January 2018
The Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU, Brussels
The Coimbra Group, the network of historical comprehensive research-intensive European universities (www.coimbra-group.eu), is committed to serving European society and to addressing its grand challenges. At the forefront of these are the unemployment reduction and the continuous upskilling of the workforce. As a result, Lifelong Learning and Employability are top priorities for the European Union institutions as well as for European universities. This is reflected in recent studies, which state:
“Persistent lack of employment opportunities, especially among the young and low-skilled, may lead to serious long-term consequences. […]. More generally, improving and maintaining high-level skills and workforce competences is essential to ensure that Europe remains competitive and innovative against increasing global competition, fast-changing labour market needs and demographic challenges. […]. The low-skilled are now clearly at the top of the European policy agenda: the New skills agenda for Europe includes a specific action (Upskilling pathways: new opportunities for adults) aimed at supporting Member States in ensuring that every European acquires a minimum level of skills necessary to realise talent and potential fully.” [Cedefop (2017). Investing in skills pays off: the economic and social cost of low skilled adults in the EU. Luxembourg: Publications Office. Cedefop research paper No 60. http://dx.doi.org/10.2801/23250]
“With global competition increasing, demographic change unfolding and rapid technological change intensifying, skill mismatch has come to the forefront of Europe’s policy debate. […]. Shortages in some sectors may occur simultaneously with over-education in others. When skill mismatch takes time to resolve it imposes real costs on individuals, enterprises and societies.” [Cedefop (2010). The skill matching challenge. Analysing skill mismatch and policy implications. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2010. ISBN 978-92-896-0485-7]
“Europe’s universities need urgent renewal, to stimulate entrepreneurship and tear down disciplinary borders. […]. The post-2020 EU R&I programme should reinforce support for skills and competence development in EU-funded projects.” [European Commission – Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (2017). LAB – FAB – APP — Investing in the European future we want. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. PDF ISBN 978-92-79-70068-2 doi:10.2777/30011 KI-01-17-665-EN-N]
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In the context of preparations for the next European Programmes for higher education and for research and innovation (the post-Erasmus+ and the post-Horizon 2020 programmes), the Coimbra Group wishes to bring significant contributions to this modernisation agenda. A first step towards that is the organisation of this workshop in cooperation with MEP Mrs Elisabeth Morin-Chartier (Parliament’s Bureau, Quaestor, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs).
Coimbra Group Universities have a long tradition of innovation and are committed to engage in intensive dialogue with European institutions in support of ambitious Higher Education and Research policies. This High-Level Workshop aims at bringing Rectors from the Coimbra Group Universities together with European Higher Education Experts and Policymakers to discuss how comprehensive, research-intensive universities can contribute constructively to the Higher Education modernisation agenda on Lifelong Learning and Employability.
For further information and registration please contact Catarina Moleiro at the Coimbra Group Office (moleiro@coimbra-group.eu).
Presentations
Ludovic Thilly, Professor, University of Poitiers, Chair of the Coimbra Group Executive Board
Cesare Onestini, Director of ETF, European Training Foundation
Eika Berit, Pro-Rector, Aarhus University
Nathalie Martin-Papineau, Vice-Rector, University of Poitiers
Ilaria Poggiolini, Vice-Rector, University of Pavia
Wijnand Aalderink, Director, Career Services and Corporate Relations, University of Groningen
24 January 2018
The Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU, Brussels
The Coimbra Group, the network of historical comprehensive research-intensive European universities (www.coimbra-group.eu), is committed to serving European society and to addressing its grand challenges. At the forefront of these are the unemployment reduction and the continuous upskilling of the workforce. As a result, Lifelong Learning and Employability are top priorities for the European Union institutions as well as for European universities. This is reflected in recent studies, which state:
“Persistent lack of employment opportunities, especially among the young and low-skilled, may lead to serious long-term consequences. […]. More generally, improving and maintaining high-level skills and workforce competences is essential to ensure that Europe remains competitive and innovative against increasing global competition, fast-changing labour market needs and demographic challenges. […]. The low-skilled are now clearly at the top of the European policy agenda: the New skills agenda for Europe includes a specific action (Upskilling pathways: new opportunities for adults) aimed at supporting Member States in ensuring that every European acquires a minimum level of skills necessary to realise talent and potential fully.” [Cedefop (2017). Investing in skills pays off: the economic and social cost of low skilled adults in the EU. Luxembourg: Publications Office. Cedefop research paper No 60. http://dx.doi.org/10.2801/23250]
“With global competition increasing, demographic change unfolding and rapid technological change intensifying, skill mismatch has come to the forefront of Europe’s policy debate. […]. Shortages in some sectors may occur simultaneously with over-education in others. When skill mismatch takes time to resolve it imposes real costs on individuals, enterprises and societies.” [Cedefop (2010). The skill matching challenge. Analysing skill mismatch and policy implications. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2010. ISBN 978-92-896-0485-7]
“Europe’s universities need urgent renewal, to stimulate entrepreneurship and tear down disciplinary borders. […]. The post-2020 EU R&I programme should reinforce support for skills and competence development in EU-funded projects.” [European Commission – Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (2017). LAB – FAB – APP — Investing in the European future we want. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. PDF ISBN 978-92-79-70068-2 doi:10.2777/30011 KI-01-17-665-EN-N]
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In the context of preparations for the next European Programmes for higher education and for research and innovation (the post-Erasmus+ and the post-Horizon 2020 programmes), the Coimbra Group wishes to bring significant contributions to this modernisation agenda. A first step towards that is the organisation of this workshop in cooperation with MEP Mrs Elisabeth Morin-Chartier (Parliament’s Bureau, Quaestor, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs).
Coimbra Group Universities have a long tradition of innovation and are committed to engage in intensive dialogue with European institutions in support of ambitious Higher Education and Research policies. This High-Level Workshop aims at bringing Rectors from the Coimbra Group Universities together with European Higher Education Experts and Policymakers to discuss how comprehensive, research-intensive universities can contribute constructively to the Higher Education modernisation agenda on Lifelong Learning and Employability.
For further information and registration please contact Catarina Moleiro at the Coimbra Group Office (moleiro@coimbra-group.eu).
Presentations
Ludovic Thilly, Professor, University of Poitiers, Chair of the Coimbra Group Executive Board
Cesare Onestini, Director of ETF, European Training Foundation
Eika Berit, Pro-Rector, Aarhus University
Nathalie Martin-Papineau, Vice-Rector, University of Poitiers
Ilaria Poggiolini, Vice-Rector, University of Pavia
Wijnand Aalderink, Director, Career Services and Corporate Relations, University of Groningen
2017 CG High-Level Seminar on Education Policy, Dublin:
“Internationalisation of the Curriculum”
13-14 November 2017, Trinity College Dublin
On 13-14 November 2017, the Coimbra Group held its second High-Level Seminar on Education Policy, which was kindly hosted by Trinity College Dublin.
Around 100 participants joined us in this successful event, including Rectors and Vice-Rectors of the 39 Coimbra Group universities and representatives of key stakeholders in higher education policy and in industry.
This seminar continued the annual tradition of Coimbra Group high-level policy seminars addressing issues of key concerns in, alternately, education and research policies. Within our alternating biannual structure the focus this year was on Education Policy and the chosen topic “Internationalisation of the Curriculum”.
We discussed how internationalisation strategies and policies at our universities are and can be reflected in the curriculum, campus life and wider activities of the universities. More specifically, we shared our experiences and ideas over a number of related aspects such as the embedding of internationalisation in the curriculum for all students, the role of co- and extra-curricular activities, student societies and student life, virtual mobility, managing diversity of learning styles and intellectual approaches, intercultural communication and English as a medium of instruction.
We are grateful to our keynote speakers:
Patricia Reilly (Deputy Head of Cabinet, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport), Conor O’Carroll (Chair, European Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility), Betty Leask (Emerita Professor of La Trobe University, Melbourne, former Pro Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning), Elspeth Jones (Emerita Professor of the Internationalisation of Higher Education at Leeds Metropolitan University, former International Dean and International Education Consultant), Fionnuala Meehan (Head of Google Ireland, Vice President of EMEA Google Marketing Solutions), Mary Clarke (Vice-Dean for International Citizenship, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), Helen Spencer-Oatey (Professor in the Centre for Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick);
As well as to Coimbra Group respondents:
Tony Fawcett (Dean and Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor Education, Durham University), Hiltraud Casper-Hehne (Vice-Rector International Universität Göttingen), Dana Samson (Vice-Rector International, Université catholique de Louvain), Anne-Marie Motard (Vice-Rector International, University of Montpellier), Dorothy Kelly (Vice-Rector International, University of Granada).
We would like to thank Trinity College Dublin for the warm hospitality and of course all the participants, who made this event such an enjoyable experience with quality discussions and inspiration for future activities.
Podcasts High-Level Seminar
Session 1:
Session 1:
Sessions 3-4:
Sessions 3-4:
Sessions 5-6:
Sessions 5-6:
Sessions 7-8:
Sessions 7-8:
Presentations High-Level Seminar
Ludovic Thilly – The Coimbra Group
Patrick Prendergast – Globalisation, Trinity Education Project and the Graduate Attributes
Conor O’Carroll – Internationalisation of the Curriculum and Human Resources Development
Betty Leask – Translating an institutional Challenge into an Opportunity for Innovation
Tony Fawcett – Response to Internationalisation of the Curriculum
Dana Samson – Response to Internationalisation of the curriculum: View from the Industry
Mary Clarke – Internationalisation at Home and Global Citizenship
Anne-Marie Motard – Response to Internationalisation at Home and Global Citizenship
Helen Spencer-Oatey – Internationalisation and the Development of “Global Graduates”
Dorothy Kelly – Response to Internationalisation and the Development of “Global Graduates”
2016 CG High-Level Seminar on Research Policy, San Servolo:
“New Opportunities for University Cooperation”
27-28 October 2016, San Servolo
On 27-28 October, the Coimbra Group held its third research policy seminar at the Venice International University on the island of San Servolo. The seminar was opened by President Yves Jean, the Honorary President of the Coimbra Group, and Rector Rosario Rizzuto on behalf of the University of Padova, one of the founders of the Venice International University.
The seminar brought together twenty-five Coimbra Group universities with representatives of European organisations such as the European Commission, the League of European Research Universities, the Guild of Research-Intensive Universities and UNICA.
The afternoon saw two inspiring presentations from Senior Adviser to the Commissioner, Prof. Maria da Graça Carvalho setting the scene with the three “O”s, open innovation, open science and open to the world, while Dr Wilhelm Krull underlined the importance of training people, of nurturing the innovation that comes from human creativity.
The panel discussion brought the speakers together with Rector Rizzuto, Vice-President Lokesh Joshi from Galway and Prof. Deketelaere from LERU.
The second day concentrated on the theme of research infrastructures, with an introductory presentation from David Bohmert, who represents the Swiss National Science Foundation on the ESFRI Board, the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, followed by Dr Jennifer Edmonds from Trinity College Dublin and Prof. Paul Bertrand from University of Louvain on DARIAH, Digital Research Infrastructures for the Arts and Humanities. Rector Žukauskas from Vilnius University presented the shared infrastructures at his university, and Prof. Serge Huberson looked at the international cooperation level and the questions of sustainability.
You will find the presentations below:
Coimbra Group conference “Impact of a Horizon 2020 proposal – industrial leadership and societal challenges”
3-4 December 2015, Aarhus University
Impact has become one of the key evaluation criteria in Horizon 2020 European research proposals. The European Commission is planning to apply more rigorous evaluations with respect to the impact of a proposal. This makes it crucial for Research Support Offices to help the researchers to understand and to explain the potential impact of proposals – two issues which many find difficult.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
The aim of the conference is two-fold:
- To shed light on and understand how impact of a research project is assessed
and how the Commission will proceed with the development of impact evaluation - To learn about experiences from users, evaluators and successful research
support offices
2015 CG High-Level Seminar on Education Policy, Iasi:
“A tradition of Innovation”
26-27 October 2015, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași
Seminar for Directors/Coordinators of Translation, Interpreting and Translation Studies Programmes
28 October 2015, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași
2014 CG High-Level Seminar on Research Policy, San Servolo:
“Horizons 2015: First Experiences, Emerging Expectations – Horizon 2020 from the perspective of European Research Universities”
30-31 October 2014, San Servolo
Summary of Findings Rector Elmer Sterken, Honorary President of CG Rectors’ Advisory Group
Message from the Italian Minister of Education and Research Stefania Giannini
Presentations
Keynote on Research and Innovation Provost Patrick Prendergast, Trinity College Dublin
Open Access and Open Data in Horizon 2020 Dr Wolfram Horstmann Georg-August University Göttingen
Conclusions Honorary President, Rector Elmer Sterken, University of Groningen (intranet)
Science 2.0: the view from LERU Dr Paul Ayris – University College London (intranet)
Cohesion and Regional Innovation Rector Volli Kalm – University of Tartu
Regional Innovation Prof. Anders Malmberg – Uppsala University (intranet)