Standard Policy Brief Template Under the UNESCO World Higher Educa7on Conference (WHEC2022) Sec7on for Higher Educa7on Division for Educa7on 2030

Transcription

1 Standard Policy Brief Template Under the UNESCO World Higher Educa7on Conference (WHEC2022) Sec7on for Higher Educa7on Division for Educa7on 2030 Type: One organisa7on Alliance THE CONTRIBUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO LIFELONG LEARNING Author(s): UNESCO Ins7tute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) Abstract The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 enjoins countries to promote lifelong learning opportuni7es for all (UN DESA, 2022). It thereby establishes lifelong learning (LLL) as central to a sustainable future. Transforming higher educa7on ins7tu7ons (HEIs) into lifelong learning ins7tu7ons is key to realizing this goal. HEIs are in a unique posi7on to promote sustainable socie7es through their exper7se in knowledge produc7on, skills development and academic exchange. By expanding access to new popula7ons of students, HEIs can promote LLL throughout the wider society. This policy brief provides insights on principal areas of ac7on for policymakers and other key stakeholders. It highlights the importance of enabling policy environments at the na7onal and ins7tu7onal level, looks at ins7tu7onal structures and mechanisms, and evaluates different ways of widening access and increasing par7cipa7on to foster the transforma7on of HEIs into lifelong learning ins7tu7ons. UNESCO Ins7tute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), Germany 1

2 2

3 Content Abstract...1 Content...3 Introduc7on...4 Ac7on area 1: Develop policy environments that support the promo7on of lifelong learning in higher educa7on....5 Recommenda7on 1.1: Governments should create comprehensive na7onal policies and frameworks to establish LLL as a core mission of HEIs....5 Recommenda7on 1.2: HEIs should develop ins7tu7on-wide approaches to LLL that adhere to all three missions of higher educa7on....6 Ac7on area 2: Establish ins7tu7onal structures and mechanisms that support LLL....6 Recommenda7on 2.1: Extend funding schemes to include LLL opportuni7es in HEIs....6 Recommenda7on 2.2: Implement quality assurance procedures to ensure greater recogni7on and effec7veness of LLL...7 Ac7on area 3: Widen access and par7cipa7on to society at large....7 Recommenda7on 3.1: Diversify curricula and decolonise knowledge to make learning relevant to non-tradi7onal students....7 Recommenda7on 3.2: Adapt learning formats to address diverse learning needs and include degree- and non-degree programmes as well as different delivery modali7es....7 Recommenda7on 3.3: Expand flexible learning pathways, including the RVA of prior learning, across HEIs....8 Recommenda7on 3.4: Develop further the poten7al and inclusivity of technology-enhanced learning to benefit non-tradi7onal learners....8 Recommenda7on 4.4: HEIs should expand their engagement with local communi7es....9 Concluding remarks...9 References

4 [Note: The following narragve, including footnotes, should not exceed 4,000 words this does not include references and any annexes] IntroducGon Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development represents a considerable advancement in establishing lifelong learning (LLL) as an overarching vision, conceptual framework and organizing principle across educa7on systems. LLL is rooted in the integra7on of learning and living, and comprises learning ac7vi7es for people of all ages, in all life-wide contexts and through a variety of modali7es that, together, meet a range of learning needs and demands. The call to ensure inclusive and equitable quality educa7on and promote LLL opportuni7es for all (UN, 2022) is based on the premise that individuals need to con7nuously update and expand their skills and competences throughout their lives in formal, non-formal and informal sefngs. Higher educa7on ins7tu7ons (HEIs) including universi7es, colleges, polytechnics and technical and voca7onal educa7on and training (TVET) ins7tu7ons are essen7al actors in the promo7on of LLL because of their unique capaci7es to develop people s skills and foster knowledge, as well as their poten7al to mobilise educa7onal resources and provide learning opportuni7es for all (Osborne, Rimmer and Houston, 2015; Orazbayeva, 2017; Šmídová et al., 2017). This implies a fundamental shil in the concept of higher educa7on, from a stage in learning directed at young adults advancing from secondary educa7on to one that addresses the needs of diverse learners who are entering or re-entering a learning environment at different ages and stages of their personal and professional lives (Slowey and Schuetze, 2012; Cendon, 2018). In recent decades, the dominant trend in the higher educa7on sector has been its widespread massifica7on, with curricula becoming increasingly market driven and designed to serve a larger share of the popula7on (Altbach, Reisberg and Rumbley, 2009). Between 2000 and 2018, the global gross enrolment rate in higher educa7on rose from 19 per cent to 38 per cent (UIS, 2020). Nevertheless, while an increasing share of the popula7on is par7cipa7ng in higher educa7on, it is primarily tradi7onal students, i.e., post-secondary students under 25 years old who wish to study full-7me and who do not have major addi7onal work or family responsibili7es (Marginson, 2016). As higher educa7on has expanded, it has also become more compe77ve. Students today compete for admission while ins7tu7ons compete for status, rank and funding against a backdrop of an increasingly involved private sector (Altbach, Reisberg and Rumbley, 2009). Moreover, as new university models emerge, such as mass online ter7ary educa7on, the differen7a7on of higher educa7on - different social groups experiencing contras7ng educa7onal experiences in terms of recogni7on and quality - has also intensified. These dynamics demonstrate that, while higher educa7on has become more widely accessible, major inequali7es persist regarding gender, age, socio-economic background and ethnicity. Developments in the higher educa7on sector are deeply impacted and shaped by the social and economic trends of the twenty-first century, such as technological progress, climate change, demographic shils, globalisa7on and the transforming world of work (Chiţiba, 2012). Responding to these challenges and paving the way for a more sustainable future requires innova7ve and holis7c policy-making that transcends disciplines and sectors. For higher educa7on, this means expanding curricula so that learners skills and knowledge prepares them for a rapidly changing world. Olen referred to as a third mission in addi7on to the standard objec7ves of teaching and research, HEIs contribu7on to the economic, social and cultural life of the communi7es they serve is increasingly valued (Fongwa, Marais and Atkinson, 2014). Ins7tu7ons around the world are responding to this third mandate by expanding access to learning and promo7ng the concept of LLL as a core principle for sustainable development. Embedding LLL in higher 4

5 educa7on and vice versa naturally has implica7ons for na7onal policies, ins7tu7onal commitments in the form of strategies and mission statements, funding and organiza7onal structures, curricula and pedagogies, flexible learning pathways and community engagement. While the higher educa7on sector has significant assets that lend themselves to the promo7on of LLL, this poten7al is far from being realised. This is partly due to a lack of awareness within HEIs about the role LLL can play in equipping them to beper address current and future challenges. Many HEIs con7nue to priori7se academic excellence in teaching and research, remaining in the so called ivory tower, with less apen7on being paid to widening access and providing LLL opportuni7es for all (Brennan and Magnes, 2019). In addi7on, there is no unified and standardised approach to LLL promo7on across ins7tu7ons which leads to a diversity in LLL offerings that obscures the progress made in this area (De Viron and Davies, 2015). Since LLL can be offered by a variety of formal and non-formal educa7on ins7tu7ons in a wide range of learning modali7es and purposes, the specific role of universi7es olen remains unclear (Milic, 2013; Ratana-Ubol and Richards, 2016; Johannesen, Øyan and Magnus, 2018). Fostering a coherent and widely accepted understanding of LLL within higher educa7on, aligned with the vision of the SDGs, requires fundamental policy change. Ul7mately, it implies a substan7al transforma7on of HEIs into LLL ins7tu7ons. It also calls for HEIs taking on a more prominent role within learning environments and ecosystems 1, spanning across disciplines and sectors that include formal, non-formal and informal learning and are open to people of all ages and backgrounds. The following three main ac7on areas and associated policy recommenda7ons highlight some of the priori7es HEIs should focus on if they are to transform into LLL ins7tu7ons. AcGon area 1: Develop policy environments that support the promogon of lifelong learning in higher educagon. Turning HEIs into LLL ins7tu7ons requires favourable policy environments that support and incen7vise the adop7on of LLL. Na7onal and ins7tu7onal policies, strategies and frameworks are instrumental for promo7ng LLL in HEIs. Comprehensive higher educa7on policies recognise the priori7es of HEIs while firmly establishing LLL as a mission. Crea7ng such policy environments depends on the poli7cal will of various stakeholders and the na7onal ministries in charge of higher educa7on; the broader poli7cal, economic and administra7ve environment; and the deployment of resources. If not well designed, these policies can limit ins7tu7onal autonomy and act as a barrier because they do not allow for individual adapta7on (Foster and McLendon, 2012). RecommendaGon 1.1: Governments should create comprehensive nagonal policies and frameworks to establish LLL as a core mission of HEIs. Policies at the na7onal level show poli7cal will and support for implemen7ng LLL in higher educa7on. This is also in the interest of na7onal governments, which need to respond to the fundamental transforma7ons in demography (ageing), labour markets (digitalisa7on) and socie7es (emergence of learning and knowledge socie7es) that require new skill sets in the decades to come. In order to respond to the skill demands for the futures of work, con7nuing educa7on and LLL should be considered a strategic priority and core mission of (publicly funded) HEIs, eleva7ng them to a mandatory field of ac7on for higher educa7on to ensure the con7nuous par7cipa7on of individuals in social and economic life. This central mission is reflected in regional frameworks such as the European Universi7es Charter on Lifelong Learning (EUA, 2008), which calls for the introduc7on of LLL policies for HEIs at the na7onal level. In effect, na7onal policy frameworks encourage individual HEIs to develop ins7tu7onal 1 The Organisa7on for Economic Co-opera7on and Development (OECD) defines a learning ecosystem as a system that comprises diverse providers, resources and learners opera7ng as an organic unit in interac7on with its environment and with other ecosystems. A learning environment, meanwhile, represents organised learning for given groups of learners around a single pedagogical core and shared learning leadership (Source: OECD, 2017, p. 9). 5

6 strategies based on their specific profile and in line with na7onal regula7ons. Through their impact on ins7tu7onal strategies, funding and quality assurance, properly formulated policies and legisla7on at the na7onal level increase support for the development of LLL opportuni7es in HEIs (Mar7n and Godonoga, 2020). RecommendaGon 1.2: HEIs should develop insgtugon-wide approaches to LLL that adhere to all three missions of higher educagon. At the ins7tu7onal level, LLL policies should adhere to all three missions of higher educa7on namely, teaching, research and wider societal engagement to facilitate whole-ins7tu7on approaches to LLL that are supported by the strong commitment of HEI leadership. HEIs typically offer a variety of ac7vi7es that could already be classified as LLL. Any ins7tu7onal strategy must therefore be overarching enough to encompass this diversity and yet define sound ins7tu7onal principles to ra7onalise LLL throughout the ins7tu7on. One approach to this might be to adopt a strategy that, for instance, uses the revenues from fee-based programmes, like an MBA, to fund LLL programmes for less-privileged groups or free lecture series that are open to the public. Striking the right balance between flexibility and rules-based professionalisa7on of LLL in HEIs requires engaging all stakeholders and respec7ng the interests of professors, learners, academic leadership and the staff responsible for LLL opportuni7es. Implemen7ng LLL programmes depends on commiped individuals, yet academic staff are occupied with their own research, students and degree programmes. Moreover, the incen7ve structures of the academic world which primarily reward high-impact publica7ons do not encourage the kind of engagement needed to carry out an LLL programme for diverse sets of learners. Commiped ins7tu7ons can counteract this by comprehensively implemen7ng LLL throughout their different departments. AcGon area 2: Establish insgtugonal structures and mechanisms that support LLL. The implementa7on of LLL in HEIs requires not only an enabling environment but also policy opera7onalisa7on, which manifests itself in structures and mechanisms. The laper make the implementa7on process possible because they offer concrete opportuni7es for learning provision within individual ins7tu7ons. Part of this may include the crea7on of dedicated LLL units that take the opera7onal lead for implementa7on. LLL units allow for ins7tu7on-wide implementa7on and are thus able to establish shared understanding, engagement by different stakeholders and the development of specific exper7se. RecommendaGon 2.1: Extend funding schemes to include LLL opportuniges in HEIs. Adequate funding is essen7al for ensuring comprehensive and properly implemented LLL at the ins7tu7onal level. HEIs, whether public or private, typically rely on a variety and olen mul7ple funding resources to pay for their ac7vi7es. These resources include self-funding by the HEIs themselves, dedicated public funding, tui7on fees, and other income-genera7ng ac7vi7es or dona7ons. Ins7tu7onal funding is olen 7ed to accredited programmes with measurable outputs (i.e., degrees). Rethinking funding to reflect the growing importance of more flexible forms of LLL provision, including non-accredited courses and the short-term courses characteris7c of LLL, would promote the professionalisa7on of LLL in higher educa7on (Jacob and Gokbel, 2018; Chapman; Deardon and Doan, 2020). At the individual level, non-tradi7onal students mostly rely on personal resources. Public or ins7tu7onal financial support in the form of scholarships or means-tested grants that is, financial support based on whether the individual has the resources to par7cipate in educa7on without financial aid are not the norm for LLL. While many adult learners have a job and thus financial resources, the lack of financial support mechanisms can be a barrier to par7cipa7on in learning for those with fixed expenses or family commitments. 6

7 RecommendaGon 2.2: Implement quality assurance procedures to ensure greater recognigon and effecgveness of LLL Since funding is olen 7ed to measurable outputs, a mechanism to define and monitor these outputs, including for non-formal LLL, is essen7al. Proper monitoring and evalua7on tools are also instrumental for ensuring and priori7sing high-quality, effec7ve and relevant learning opportuni7es (De Viron and Davies, 2015). LLL encompasses a variety of ac7vi7es, some which differ greatly from tradi7onal degree-based learning. These increasingly flexible models of formal educa7on systems can blur the boundaries between formal, non-formal and informal learning. To ensure that LLL programmes are meaningful and respond to the learning needs of a variety of learners, including disadvantaged groups, clear principles and quality assurance criteria must be defined. Their enforcement can include internal quality assurance procedures and organiza7onal structures as well as external quality assurance by recognised agencies (Bejan at al., 2015). Examples include the enhancement of academic programmes; monitoring the comple7on rate of study programmes, academic staff performance and adult learner assessments; and the evalua7on of adult learner structures. Overall, well-established quality assurance procedures contribute to the professionalisa7on of LLL, thus represen7ng a useful tool to promote the expansion of academic and financial resources for LLL in HEIs. AcGon area 3: Widen access and pargcipagon to society at large. HEIs are part of formal educa7on systems and thus play a par7cular func7on in society. This implies a responsibility, reflected in HEIs third mission, to engage with the wider public and respond to societal needs. LLL has vast poten7al to realise this goal through expanding access and increasing par7cipa7on in higher educa7on. At the same 7me, it challenges tradi7onal approaches of higher educa7on because LLL opportuni7es imply an increasing diversity of learners and learning needs that HEIs must adapt to. RecommendaGon 3.1: Diversify curricula and decolonise knowledge to make learning relevant to non-tradigonal students. To make educa7onal opportuni7es and content relevant for non-tradi7onal students in higher educa7on, HEIs should diversify curricula and decolonise knowledge (Formosa, 2014). This requires challenging Western/European epistemologies in favour of global epistemologies, and opening knowledge systems to include knowledges from Indigenous peoples, minori7es, and cultures from the Global South (Chan et al., 2020). Integra7ng a variety of learners and opening curricula requires an awareness of the structural features of formal educa7on systems. HEIs have historically served as (and maintained) monopolies of knowledge produc7on (Formosa, 2014). This calls into ques7on the extent to which HEIs can promote change, as they are part of society and reproduce its biases. Formal educa7on systems also reward the possession of certain social backgrounds, skills and knowledge, reinforcing dynamics of exclusion. Nevertheless, HEIs ins7tu7onal know-how puts them in a unique posi7on to bring together different social stakeholders and design new knowledge architectures. This entails an intersec7onal perspec7ve that is, an awareness of the different types of disadvantages that olen reinforce each other and the inclusion of par7cipatory, work-based and student-led learning methodologies (Formosa, 2014; Hor7güela Alcalá, Picos and López-Pastor, 2018). Ul7mately, LLL in HEIs should follow a concept of open science that is relevant to the socie7es it serves and creates space for underserved communi7es and knowledge systems. RecommendaGon 3.2: Adapt learning formats to address diverse learning needs and include degree- and non-degree programmes as well as different delivery modaliges. In addi7on to learning content, learning formats and modali7es should be adapted to cater to the needs of learners with varying backgrounds and prior experiences. LLL is pursued for a variety of reasons for the workplace, personal fulfilment and enjoyment, to stay ac7ve in older age and more. LLL is not just about upda7ng skills but also about upda7ng interests, 7

8 knowledge and understanding throughout life (Osborne, 2003). Enabling a variety of learning experiences encourages learners, especially disadvantaged learners, to engage in higher educa7on but also to consider further educa7on, employment or cer7fica7on. Offering both comprehensive study programmes and short-term courses in areas beyond the tradi7onal fields of study is therefore necessary to strike an appropriate balance between these different goals (Carlsen et al., 2016). Short-term courses can provide learners with an opportunity to experience the world of higher educa7on without the long-term commitment that a higher educa7on degree entails. These courses may be formal or non-formal and should be supported by alterna7ve assessment approaches, such as the iden7fica7on of experiences, documenta7on of those experiences, a formal assessment and cer7fica7on of the results of the assessment (Looney and San7bañez, 2021). In addi7on, different modali7es, including the possibility to switch between full- and part-7me study, and to take breaks when needed, enable non-tradi7onal learners to par7cipate in higher educa7on while accommoda7ng family and work responsibili7es. RecommendaGon 3.3: Expand flexible learning pathways, including the RVA of prior learning, across HEIs. A prac7cal tool to widen access to higher educa7on and facilitate LLL are flexible learning pathways (FLP). FLP allow learners to enter and re-enter higher educa7on at various points of their lives. This enables individualised and learner-centred educa7on and acknowledges that learning occurs throughout life in a variety of contexts and for a variety of purposes. A key aspect of FLP is the recogni7on, valida7on and accredita7on (RVA) of prior learning, especially when supported by na7onal qualifica7on frameworks (NQF). Most HEIs require a secondary school cer7ficate to enter a degree programme, making admission procedures that do not account for the variety of learning that can equip individuals with the skills necessary to par7cipate in higher educa7on procedures a major obstacle to widening access (Vuorinen, 2012). In the absence of procedures that recognise various forms of learning, LLL remains undervalued. Approaches to counter this include open-access programmes and the RVA of alterna7ve forms of learning and facilita7ng the transferability of qualifica7ons across na7onal borders and ins7tu7ons (Carlsen et al. 2016). Open access programs are open to all learners, regardless of their background. RVA recognises alterna7ve forms of accredita7on, such as cer7ficates and badges, industry cer7fica7on by employers, or micro-creden7als. For con7nuing educa7on programmes, there are some7mes alterna7ve pathways to higher educa7on that are olen more flexible in terms of access but should be expanded to include regular study admissions. Aside from RVA, flexibility is enhanced through various arrangements that guide learners on flexible pathways, including support in naviga7ng the bureaucracy of higher educa7on systems or counselling to ease the transi7on back into the educa7on system. RecommendaGon 3.4: Develop further the potengal and inclusivity of technology-enhanced learning to benefit non-tradigonal learners. A main way of increasing the flexibility of higher educa7on pathways, programmes and provision is through technology-enhanced learning, because it offers a simple and costeffec7ve way of widening access and par7cipa7on to higher educa7on. Technology-enhanced learning recently accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic enables more flexibility between in-person, distance, online and blended learning formats (Kirkwood and Price, 2014). This mainly concerns online teaching and learning, but also more sophis7cated methodologies such as learning supported by mobile technology, social media and ar7ficial intelligence integrated into courses and plazorms as well as enhanced opportuni7es for adap7ve and self-led learning. The democra7zing influence of technology (i.e., increasingly easy access from anywhere at any 7me) gives students greater autonomy for their own learning, allowing them to decide what, when and with whom they learn. This is not without its challenges, however, par7cularly in 8

9 terms of access, infrastructure, connec7vity and digital skills. Distance learning has contributed to feelings of isola7on and a lack of belonging and may be challenging for non-tradi7onal learners in LLL programmes with liple prior experience in higher educa7on and family or work responsibili7es (Gourlay et al., 2021). This points to the crucial support mechanisms that technology-enhanced learning requires, both for learners and educators, who must adapt to changing pedagogical methods (Cendon, 2018). Moreover, it underscores the need for careful considera7on of the ra7onale and goals of using specific technologies and their purposeful and ethical use in higher educa7on. RecommendaGon 4.4: HEIs should expand their engagement with local communiges. Another aspect of widening access to HEIs relates to their engagement with local communi7es. HEIs are important players in regional and local development, fulfilling their social responsibility through knowledge transfer, par7cipatory research and student volunteering. As such, HEIs take on an ac7ve developmental role, following an understanding of educa7on as a public good and HEIs as accessible and par7cipatory ins7tu7ons of knowledge-produc7on and -sharing. Such engagement is naturally linked to the third mission of higher educa7on, but HEIs can also promote social, economic, and cultural benefits through their other core missions of teaching and knowledge produc7on. All three aspects cater to the needs of the wider community, par7cularly vulnerable groups, by increasing access to learning resources and services and conduc7ng community-engaged research with relevance to local economies and communi7es (Breznits and Feldman, 2012). HEIs can assume different roles during community engagement, including as stakeholders, strategic partners and advocates or service providers of teaching and learning. Meaningful community engagement is based on an equal and mutually beneficial rela7onship, wherein HEIs interact with local stakeholders in a manner that ac7vely engages with the laper s knowledge and exper7se (Ó Tuama, 2019). Collabora7ve partnerships, in which HEIs and communi7es work towards a common goal, turn communi7es into partners in the process knowledge produc7on. Promo7ng LLL opportuni7es for everyone, through engaged research, teaching and learning, student volunteering, evidence-based strategies and advocacy, among others, must be part of universi7es broader strategy of becoming engaged and socially responsible. The increasing engagement of universi7es in the growing learning city movement, including the Global Network of Learning Ci7es (GNLC), provide a convincing illustra7on of such a strategy (UIL, 2017). Concluding remarks By establishing an enabling environment and strategic guidelines for changes to take place, na7onal policies, strategies and frameworks are fundamental to transforming HEIs into LLL ins7tu7ons. Nevertheless, transforma7onal ac7ons must be undertaken by HEIs themselves, in all aspects of their opera7ons and across their three core missions. A star7ng point is to establish ins7tu7onal LLL policies and strategies. They must be comprehensive, relate to each department and unit of the ins7tu7on, and be backed up with strong commitment from senior leaders and support by staff at all levels. Following an ins7tu7onal strategy, changes and adapta7ons must be developed to implement suppor7ng mechanisms, organiza7onal structures and resources. At the organiza7onal level, a dedicated and transversal lifelong learning unit can func7on as a hub to coordinate the implementa7on of the ins7tu7onal LLL policies and strategies, facilitate shared understanding, and build up knowledge and exper7se, thereby promo7ng a whole-ins7tu7on approach to LLL. Funding is fundamental for this. Public funding, but also other innova7ve financing strategies, are required to secure the necessary resources to implement LLL programmes. In view of the diverse formats of LLL offerings, quality assurance is central to ensure that programmes are well designed and implemented with sufficient and adequate outcomes. In the long-term, quality assurance through monitoring and evalua7on contributes to the professionalisa7on of LLL and the expansion of academic and financial investment for LLLs in HEIs. 9

10 Strategic approaches to turning HEIs into LLL ins7tu7ons include widening access and increasing par7cipa7on for new categories of learners, including from the most disadvantaged strata of society. Such inclusive expansion requires new pedagogies, changes in learning modali7es and support services favouring the provision of flexible learning pathways. Structural adapta7ons are needed to enable entry and re-entry points into higher educa7on at all ages, and to strengthen links between formal and non-formal structures as well as between voca7onal and academic-oriented educa7on. In addi7on, mechanisms for the RVA of the knowledge, skills and competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning can cons7tute a strong instrument for flexible learning pathways. Technology-enhanced learning opportuni7es increasingly contribute to making learning more accessible and flexible, responding to the needs of a diversity of learners. Eventually, by addressing the learning needs of a large variety of ci7zens and promo7ng localised approaches, HEIs are becoming ac7ve agents of sustainable and equitable development. While the direc7ons outlined here are meant to be of general relevance, their actual implementa7on at the ins7tu7onal level must be tailored to specific na7onal contexts and to the unique characteris7cs of HEIs. This policy brief does not present a one-size-fits-all solu7on but is intended to encourage policymakers and HEIs leaders to act and ini7ate change to embrace the full poten7al of higher educa7on for LLL and, ul7mately, sustainable development. Acknowledgment: This policy brief is based on joint contribu6ons by Mo Wang, Programme Specialist at UIL and Nora Lorenz, Assistant Programme Specialist at UIL. References Altbach, P. G., Reisberg, L. and Rumbley, L. E Trends in global higher educa6on: Tracking an academic revolu6on. Paris, UNESCO. Bejan A. -S., Janatuinen, T., Jurvelin, J., Klöpping, S., M, H., Minke, B. and V, R Quality assurance and its impact from higher educa7on ins7tu7ons perspec7ves: Methodological approaches, experiences and expecta7ons. In: Quality in Higher Educa6on, 21(3), pp Brennan, J., and Magness, P Cracks in the ivory tower: The moral mess of higher educa6on. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Breznitz, S. M. and Feldman, M. P The engaged university. In: Journal of Technology Transfer, [e-journal] 37, pp Available through: /s [Accessed 28 March 2022]. 10

11 Carlsen, A., Holmberg, C., Neghina, C., and Owusu-Boampong, A Closing the gap: Opportuni6es for distance educa6on to benefit adult learners in higher educa6on. Hamburg, UIL. Cendon, E Lifelong learning at universi7es: Future perspec7ves for teaching and learning. In: Journal of New Approaches in Educa6onal Research, 7(2), pp Chan, L., Hall, B., Piron, F., Tandon, R. and Williams, L Open science beyond open access: For and with communi6es. A step towards the decoloniza6on of knowledge. Prepared for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO s IdeaLab, Opawa, July [PDF] Available at: hpp:// unescochair-cbrsr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/os_for_and_with_communi7es_en.pdf [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Chapman, B., Dearden, L., and Doan, D Global higher educa7on financing: The income con7ngent loans revolu7on. In: C. Callender, W. Locke and S. Marginson. eds. Changing Higher Educa6on for a Changing World, pp [PDF] London, Bloomsbury Academic. Available at: hpps://bit.ly/2x7rcpt [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Chiţiba, C. A Lifelong learning challenges and opportuni7es for tradi7onal universi7es. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, [online] Available at: hpps://doi.org/ / J.SBSPRO [Accessed 28 March 2022]. De Viron, F. and Davies, P From university lifelong learning to lifelong learning universi7es: Developing and implemen7ng effec7ve strategies. In: J. Yang, C. Schneller and S. Roche. The Role of Higher Educa6on in Promo6ng Lifelong Learning. [PDF] Hamburg, UIL. Available at: hpps://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ed pdf [Accessed 28 March 2022]. EUA (European University Associa7on) European universi6es charter on lifelong learning. [online] Brussels, EUA. Available at: hpps://eua.eu/resources/publica7ons/ 646:european-universi7es%E2%80%99-charter-on-lifelong-learning.html [Accessed 24 March 2022]. Fongwa, S., Marais, L., and Atkinson, D Universi7es and regional development: Lessons from the OECD Regional Assessment of the Free State, South Africa. Journal of Higher Educa6on in South Africa, [online] Available at: hpps:// _Universi7es_and_Regional_Development_Lessons_from_the_OECD_Regional_Ass essment_of_the_free_state_south_africa [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Formosa, M Four decades of Universi7es of the Third Age: Past, present, future. [ejournal] Ageing & Society, 34, pp Available through: /S X [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Foster, M. and McLendon, L Sinking or swimming: Findings from a survey of state adult educa7on tui7on and financing policies. [online] CLASP (Center for Law and Social Policy). Available at: hpps:// [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Gourlay, L., Campbell, K., Clark, L., Crisan, C., Katsapi, E., Riding, K. and Warwick, I., Engagement discourses and the student voice: Connectedness, ques7oning and inclusion in post-covid digital prac7ces. Journal of Interac6ve Media in Educa6on, [online] Available at: hpp://doi.org/ /jime.655 [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Hor7güela Alcalá, D., Picos, A. and López-Pastor, V. M The impact of forma7ve and shared or co-assessment on the acquisi7on of transversal competences in higher educa7on. Assessment & Evalua6on in Higher Educa6on, [e-journal]. Available through: / [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Jacob, W. J. and Gokbel, V Global higher educa7on learning outcomes and financial trends: Compara7ve and innova7ve approaches. Interna6onal Journal of Educa6onal 11

12 Development, [e-journal] 58, pp Available through: hpp://dx.doi.org/ / j.ijedudev [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Johannesen, H.S., Øyan, P. and Magnus, E.M Back into your arms Exploring models for integrated university-professional learning in a lifelong perspec7ve. Widening Par6cipa6on & Lifelong Learning, 20(2), pp Kirkwood, A. and Price, L Technology-enhanced learning and teaching in higher educa7on: What is enhanced and how do we know? A cri7cal literature review. Learning, Media and Technology, 39(1), pp Looney, J. and San7bañez, B Valida7on of non-formal and informal learning to support disadvantaged learners: Alterna7ve assessments. European Journal of Educa6on, 56(3), pp Marginson, S The worldwide trend to high par7cipa7on higher educa7on: Dynamics of social stra7fica7on in inclusive systems. Higher Educa6on, 72(4), pp Mar7n, M. and Godonoga, A SDG 4 Policies for flexible learning pathways in higher educa6on. Taking stock of good prac6ces interna6onally. IIEP UNESCO Working Papers. Paris, IIEP UNESCO. Milic, S The twenty-first century university and the concept of lifelong learning. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 53(1), pp OECD (Organisa7on for Economic Co-opera7on and Development) The OECD Handbook for Innova6ve Learning Environments. [PDF] Paris, OECD Publishing. Available at: hpps:// espas.secure.europarl.europa.eu/orbis/sites/default/files/generated/document/en/ e.pdf [Accessed 24 March 2022]. Orazbayeva, B The role of universi7es in promo7ng and providing lifelong learning DUK s strategic approach. UIIN (University Industry Innova6on Network). Available at: hpps:// blog.uiin.org/2017/07/the-role-of-universi7es-in-promo7ng-and-providing-lifelong-learningduks-strategic-approach/ [Accessed 16 April 2021]. Osborne, M University con7nuing educa7on Interna7onal understandings. In: M. Osborne and T. Edward. eds. Lifelong Learning in a Changing Con6nent: Con6nuing Educa6on in the Universi6es of Europe. Leicester, NIACE, pp Osborne, M., Rimmer, R., and Houston, M Adult access to higher educa7on: An interna7onal overview. The Role of Higher Educa6on in Promo6ng Lifelong Learning. Leicester, NIACE, pp Ó Tuama, S Community-engaged universi7es. Approaches and context. Adult Learning, [e-journal] 30(3), pp Available through: hpps://doi.org/ / [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Ratana-Ubol, A. and Richards, C The eight pillars of lifelong educa6on: Thailand University Ch. 1. Bangkok, Chulalongkorn University Press. Slowey, M. and Schuetze, H. G All change no change? Lifelong learners and higher educa7on revisited. Global Perspec6ves on Higher Educa6on and Lifelong Learners, [online] Available at: hpps:// _Higher_Educa7on_and_Lifelong_Learners_Interna7onal_Perspec7ves_on_Change [Accessed 28 March 2022]. Šmídová, M., Šmídová, O., Kyllingstad, N. and Karlsen, J Regional development: Lifelong learning as a priority in Norway and the Czech Republic? Higher Educa6on Policy, 30(4), pp

13 UIL (UNESCO Ins7tute for Lifelong Learning) Learning ci6es and the SDGs: A guide for ac6on. [PDF] Hamburg, UIL. Available at: hpps://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/ pf _eng [Accessed 15 March 2022]. UIS (UNESCO Ins7tute for Sta7s7cs) UIS releases more 7mely country-level data for SDG 4 on educa7on. UNESCO Ins6tute for Sta6s6cs [online] (last updated on 26 February 2020). Available at: hpp://uis.unesco.org/en/news/uis-releases-more-7melycountry-level-data-sdg-4-educa7on [Accessed 14 March 2022]. UNDESA (United Na7ons Department of Economic and Social Affairs) Goals. 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality educa6on and promote lifelong learning opportuni6es for all. [online] New York, United Na7ons. Available at: hpps://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal4 [Accessed 23 March 2022]. Vuorinen, R Pathways and flexible learning opportuni7es Implica7ons for lifelong career management skills and comprehensive guidance systems. In: M. Polak. ed. Developing Coopera6on between VET, Higher Educa6on and Adult Learning in Response to the Challenge of Lifelong Learning. Warsaw, Founda7on for the Development of the Educa7on system (FRSE), pp