Re-forming higher education: the international way
12th Annual EAIE Conference:
Leipzig, Germany,
30 November to 2 December 2000.
'Re-forming higher education: the international way' was certainly an excellent and valid motto for the conference in Leipzig. It was a great success as more than 1500 participants attended with an increased number of non-Europeans added to the mix.
The plenary Dr Volker Bigl, who is Rector of the University of Leipzig, officially opened the conference. Wedigo de Vivanco, the 2001 EAIE President, addressed the Opening Plenary by saying, 'we will all have to do our share in making the European system of higher education more compatible, transparent, and mobile. We should make the best possible use of the commitment that the politicians are at last developing.' The Mayor of Leipzig, Wolfgang Tiefensee, also had a hand in warmly welcoming participants to the beautiful city of Leipzig.
Prof Dr Hans Joachim Meyer's in his keynote speech said, 'Globalisation will cause European universities to prove their status and their value in global competition.' He also emphasised that internationality does not mean uniformity and is not identical with Americanism. European universities need a clear distinction of undergraduate and graduate degrees, a good mixture of common European strategy, and individual marketing to gain students from abroad.
The Bologna declaration was an important step to improve and change higher education the international way. This declaration, signed by a large number of European countries, aims to make the different educational systems more compatible, thus stimulating the mobility of international students. Many sessions discussed the impact and implications of the Bologna declaration. ACE discussed the obstacles for credential evaluation, as there are difficulties with implementation of international legislation as universities are autonomous. A full IRM workshop featured an analysis of problems and issues commonly found in the administration of student mobility programmes and the on-going critique and evaluation in the development of good practice.
SAFSA held a very popular session on the 'attention and support for exchange students'. SWING offered the European Career Orientation session, which presented a useful preparatory module for international placements and jobs. Students can check what they have to do and how far they are in their preparation. Another very important and new issue was life-long learning and the idea for a new Special Interest Group was created during this conference provisionally called LILO. This year also saw a new track on 'National education systems'; offering detailed information on different educational systems in countries such as Russia, China, Japan, Turkey and Austria.
The conference was very well received and everyone enjoyed themselves right up until Friday 1 December, when it was time for the spectacular EAIE Dance. This dance was held in the fascinating subterranean cellars of the Moritzbastei! A range of music to suit all tastes was provided, along with a delicious buffet. See you next year in Tampere!