EURASHE organised its 25th Annual Conference titled ‘Professional Higher Education more Relevant than Ever – Challenges for the Future‘ in Lisbon (Portugal) on 16-17 April 2015. It is co-organised by EURASHE, the Portuguese Polytechnics Coordinating Council (CCISP) and with Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL). Underneath are further information on:
(Photograph: CC by-sa by Rustam Aliyev)

Day 0 – Wednesday 15 April 2015
14.00 – Pre-Conference Masterclasses
A: How to implement internal quality assurance in your institution? by Lucien Bollaert, Member of the Executive Board of the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) (Netherlands/Belgium-Flanders)
B: How to monitor the level of cooperation between higher education institutions and the world of work? by Samo Pavlin, EMCOSU coordinator, researcher and assistant professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), Thorsten Kliewe, CEO at University Industry Innovation Network (Netherlands)
C: How to implement work-based learning in your higher education institution’s programmes? by Bram Roosens, Researcher and Lector at University College Leuven-Limburg (Belgium-Flanders), Lies Wijnants, Expert on Assessment and Work-Based Learning at University College Leuven-Limburg (Belgium-Flanders)
18.00 – EURASHE 2015 General Assembly
More on the General Assembly is available here.
Day 1 – Thursday 16 April 2015
09.00 – Registrations
10.00 – Opening ceremony
Andreas G. Orphanides, President of EURASHE, President of EQAR (Cyprus)
Joaquim Mourato, President of the Portuguese Polytechnics Coordinating Council (CCISP) (Portugal)
José Ferreira Gomes, Secretary of State for Higher Education of Portugal (Portugal)
10.45 – Video message
European Commissioners on Professional Higher Education / EURASHE, by Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (Hungary), and Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation (Portugal)
11.15 – Keynote speeches
Challenges for PHE in the globalising world, by Denise Amyot, Chair of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) (Canada)
The future of the EHEA after Yerevan Ministerial Conference, by Adam Tyson, Head of Unit for Higher Education and Erasmus, European Commission (Belgium)
12.00 – Lunch break
13.30 – Parallel working sessions on GOVERNANCE
Institutional management, by Frank Ziegele, Director of the CHE Centre for Higher Education, Gütersloh (Germany)
Quality management: Paradigm Shifts in HE & QA – From Teaching to Learning in Relation to Mission & Vision, by Lucien Bollaert, Member of the Executive Board of the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) (Netherlands/Belgium-Flanders)
Regional cooperation: Higher Education Institutions’ Regional Cooperation – Lessons from International Experience for Governance and Action, by Jaana Puukka, International expert in higher education, innovation and knowledge-based development (Finland)
International cooperation: Science Without Borders: Lessons Learned From Brazil Europe Large-Scale Mobility Experiences, by Joaquim Ramos de Carvalho, Vice-rector of the University of Coimbra (Portugal)
14.45 – Coffee break
15.15 – Parallel working sessions on EDUCATION
Institutional management: Building Successful Student Partnerships, by Eve Lewis, Head of student participation in quality Scotland (SPARQS) (United Kingdom)
Quality management: The Role of Education in Quality Management – Grasping the Nettle, by Carol Hall, Director for Undergraduate Education and Graduate Nursing Programme at the School of Health Sciences of The University of Nottingham (United Kingdom)
Regional cooperation, by Jim Murray, Director of Academic Affairs of Institutes of Technology Ireland (IOTI) (Ireland)
International cooperation: LEMONOC project, by Leen Hellinckx, International Officer at UC Leuven-Limburg (Belgium)
16.45 – Panel reflections on EURASHE’s policy to the Ministerial Conference
19.30 – Welcome reception
Day 2 – Friday 17 April 2015
09.30 – Keynote speech
Apprenticeship scheme at higher education level, by Tom Banham, Head of Academy Talent Acquisition at Nestle UK (United Kingdom)
10.45 – Parallel working sessions on EMPLOYABILITY
Institutional management: Building Strategic Partnerships, by Raimund Hudak, Professor at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University Mosbach (DHBW), CEO of Synesis GmbH (Germany)
Quality management: Managing quality in employability initiatives, maximising student opportunities and minimising the burden on employers, by Mike Grey, EC Futures Team Leader, Faculty of Engineering and Computing, Coventry University (United Kingdom)
Regional cooperation, Margarida Gomes da Silva, Head of Industry and training association (ATEC) and of Setubal Peninsula Industry association (Vogal of AISET) at Volkswagen Autoeuropa (Portugal)
International cooperation: International mobility and cooperation: A promising strategy to further opportunities for employability, by Robert Wagenaar, Director of the International Tuning Academy of the University of Groningen (Netherlands)
12.00 – Lunch break
13.30 – Parallel working sessions on RESEARCH
Institutional management: Bridging companies & University college towards co-creation & co-innovation, by Evi Knuts, Policy Advisor on Research and Development, SME Management at Hogeschool PXL (Belgium)
Quality management: QM in Research ‘HR Excellence in Research ‘ & ‘Profiling Research Units’, by Peter Eigenmann, Head of the International Relations Office at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) (Switzerland)
Regional cooperation: Healthy Ageing in the Northern Netherlands: applied research and regional collaboration, by Joost Degenaar, Director Healthy Ageing at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Director of the Centre of Expertise Healthy Ageing (Netherlands)
International cooperation: Research and Innovation in a Global World, by Carlos Ramos, Vice-President of the Polytechnic of Porto (IPP) (Portugal) and International Cooperation in Research: a Case Study, by José Santos, Research and technological development manager at the Research Support Office IPB (Portugal)
14.45 – Coffee break & Networking session
15.30 – Panel reflections on challenges for the future
16.00 – Closing ceremony
Announcement of EURASHE’s 26th Annual Conference
Closing remarks
19.30 – Gala dinner
Day 3 – Saturday 18 April 2015
09.30 – Social Programme
More information on the Social Programme is provided under Practicalities here.
The theme of the 25th Annual Conference of EURASHE, which will be held this year in Lisbon (Portugal), is ‘Professional Higher Education more Relevant than Ever – Challenges for the Future’. In the run-up to the next Ministerial Conference of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), taking place in Yerevan (Armenia) in May 2015, the choice of this topic shows relevance of a sector of Higher Education, which is considered as one of the key players in influencing and developing the society of present and future.
While living in different contexts, institutions of Professional Higher Education (PHE) are facing challenges of the same calibre. They are open organisations, adjusted to the developments of society, and this not only in a reactive way, but also as trendsetters and key players in innovation in critical fields of institutional strategy: governance, education, research and development, employability of their graduates. As key players in finding new solutions to actual problems, their relation with stakeholders is a strategic one and is considered as a co-creatorship.
PHE institutions are clearly profiled institutions. The ambition of being highly relevant in the mentioned critical fields of institutional strategy means strong and smart institutional management, a strive for quality and openness to the global society.
The 25th Conference will deepen the debate on institutional management, quality and international cooperation through various forms: presentations, workshops, panels, networking sessions, demonstration of good practices, as well as pre-conference masterclasses. Sessions are structured in 4 tracks: institutional management, quality management, regional cooperation and international cooperation, with each of them having a specific focus in different parallel sessions throughout two days: governance, education, employability and research.
The conference is addressed to different target groups: institutional management, head of programmes, teaching staff, researchers, quality assurance managers and agencies, business, public agents and more. All EURASHE members and participants are invited to involve their global partners in the conference.
‘Du choc des idées jaillit la lumière’: the multi-level discussions and the interdisciplinarity of the conference networking will certainly make this conference an inspiring event to all participants. The 25th edition of the EURASHE Annual Conference wants to be a benchmark for all actors involved in making PHE a key factor for the future of our society.
These masterclasses are envisaged for practitioners, institutional managers and staff of higher education institutions.
They are taking place simultaneously on Wednesday, 15 April 2015, from 14.00 to 17.00 at the Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL) at Av. D. João II, Lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, Lisboa, Portugal. The attendants registered for one of the Pre-Conference Masterclasses should arrive to the venue approximately 20 minutes before the beginning to register, receive their materials and join the dedicated meeting room. Coffee will be provided in each of rooms during the masterclasses.
Masterclasses
- A: How to implement internal quality assurance in your institution? by Lucien Bollaert, Member of the Executive Board of the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) (Netherlands/Belgium-Flanders)
- B: How to monitor the level of cooperation between higher education institutions and the world of work? by Samo Pavlin, Coordinator of the EMCOSU project, Researcher and Manager of a research team network at the Centre for Organisational and Human Resources Research at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), Thorsten Kliewe, CEO at University Industry Innovation Network (Netherlands)
- C: How to implement work-based learning in your higher education institution’s programmes? by Bram Roosens, Researcher and Lector at University College Leuven-Limburg (Belgium-Flanders), Lies Wijnants, Expert on Assessment and Work-Based Learning at University College Leuven-Limburg (Belgium-Flanders)
Registrations
Registrations are closed.
Trainers
Following are the trainers of the event:





Photographs
Following are the photographs of the event:
























European Commissioners on Professional Higher Education / EURASHE via YouTube
Traveling to Lisbon
Lisbon is well connected with major European cities through TAP Portugal airlines. TAP is the leading Portuguese airline that has connections to 88 destinations in 38 countries. Please take into account when looking at the arrival time of your flight that Portugal is situated in a time zone 1 hour shifted back to Central European Time (CET).
Visa requirements
The following countries are exempted from the requirement to obtain a visa: European Union (28) plus EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland). Holders of other passports should contact the nearest embassy or consulate to obtain a visa. Please contact us, and we will support you in the process.
Conference map
View EURASHE 25th Annual Conference in Google Maps here.
Conference location
The 25th Annual Conference will be hosted by Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL) at Av. D. João II, Lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, Lisboa, Portugal. It is show in yellow on the map above.
Conference registration
The registration will start at 9 am on Thursday 16 April at the Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL), Av. D. João II, Lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, Lisboa (map in yellow). You will collect your conference material there. Coffee will also be available for the duration of the registrations.
Suggested hotels
Following is a selection of hotels near the conference venue. They are shown in red on the map above.
- VIP Executive Art’s Hotel 4*, Av. D. João II, Lote 1.18, Lisboa, Portugal – www.viphotels.com – Please book rooms through www.booking.com
- Hotel Tryp Lisboa Oriente 4*, Av. D. João II, Lote 1.1602.B, Lisboa, Portugal – www.tryporiente.com – Please send an e-mail to Filipa Mendes filipa.mendes@meliaportugal.com and mention ‘EURASHE 25th Annual Conference’, Rates: Single 85.00 EUR / Double 95.00 EUR with buffet breakfast included
- Hotel ibis Lisboa Parque das Naçoes 3*, Rua Do Mar Vermelho, Lote 1.07.2.2, Lisboa, Portugal – www.ibis.com – Please book rooms through www.ibis.com
- Myriad by SANA Hotels 5*, Cais das Naus, Lote 2.21.01, Lisboa, Portugal – www.myriad.pt – Please send an e-mail to the reservations’ department rsv@myriad.pt and mention ‘EURASHE Annual Conference, 16th to 17th April 2015’, rates: Single occupancy Deluxe Room 190.00 EUR / Double occupancy Deluxe Room 220.00 EUR / Single occupancy Premium Room 240.00 EUR /Double occupancy Premium Room 270.00 EUR / Single occupancy Suite 490.00 EUR / Double occupancy Suite 520.00 EUR, these rates will be available until 16 March 2015, after this dates the hotel will accept reservations according to availability and best available rate
Social media
If you would like to tweet about the event or follow the discussions on Twitter, please use the hashtag #EURASHE25
Networking session
During the Coffee break & Networking Session on the second day of the Conference, venue will include an exhibition space. In case you would like to promote your project, programmes, institutions, feel free to bring with you some promotional material, that will be made available for conference participants. In this case, please inform the organisers at the registration and bring with you the material.
First 25 years of EURASHE!
In light with the celebration of EURASHE’s 25th anniversary, an exhibition will be held in the conference venue, bringing participants closer to EURASHE’s history, former commitments, organisation’s leadership and past annual conference.
The attendants registered for the optional social programme will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour on Saturday 18 April.
Meeting point: VIP Executive Art’s Hotel, 4*, Av. D. João II, Lote 1.18, Lisboa, Portugal at 9.30 am. Additional meeting point will be organised in the centre of Lisbon, for the participants accommodated in the city centre. More information on this will be provided during the conference.
Programme: In the morning, we will organise city tour in the illuminated city of Lisbon including Parque Eduardo Sétimo, Marques Pombal, Av Liberdade, Restauradores Rossio, Praça Comércio. In the afternoon we will continue the programme on the other side of the river including Belém, wine tasting in the cellars of José Maria Fonsec, closing by pictoresque views on Arrábida Mountains. Lunch will be provided in the city of Setúbal. The expected return to Lisbon is at 18.00.
In case you are leaving on Saturday, it is possible to attend one part of the social programme, please contact us for further arrangements.
For more information on Lisbon in particular, visit the website of the Lisbon Tourist Board here, and for more information on Portugal in general, visit the website of the Portuguese Tourist Board here.
Transportation
Please note that the conference attendants will make their own arrangements for transportation (by taxi or public transport) from their place of arrival to their hotel and vice-versa.
To the conference venue: The conference venue (ESTeSL) is located within walking distance from the suggested conference hotels and very close to the metro station ‘Moscavide’ (red line).
To the welcome reception on 16 April: The welcome reception will start at 7:30 pm and will take place in one of the suggested hotels, VIP Executive Art’s hotel, located at Av. D. João II, Lote 1.18, Lisboa. It is located within walking distance from other suggested hotels and conference venue.
To the gala dinner on 17 April: The Gala dinner will start at 7:30 pm and will take place at Casa do Alentejo (Alentejo’s house) in downtown Lisbon. The transportation service to the Gala Dinner will be provided from the VIP Executive Art’s hotel, located at Av. D. João II, Lote 1.18, Lisboa at 7 pm.
Organisers



- 2015 25th Annual Conference: Flyer (0.1 MB)
- 2015 25th Annual Conference: Invitation (0.3 MB)
- 2015 25th Annual Conference: Portfolio (6.8 MB)
- 2015 25th Annual Conference: Programme (1.1 MB)
- 2015 25th Annual Conference: Rationale (0.3 MB)
- Apprenticeship scheme at higher education level (1.0 MB)
- Apprenticeship scheme at higher education level - supporting material (0.4 MB)
- Bridging companies & University college towards co-creation & co-innovation (2.5 MB)
- Building Strategic Partnerships (2.2 MB)
- Building Successful Student Partnerships (0.4 MB)
- Enterprise Engagement and Regional Development in Ireland: the research role of the Institutes of Technology (2.3 MB)
- EURASHE 25th Annual Conference, Lisbon (Portugal), 16-17 April 2015 (1.2 MB)
- Healthy Ageing in the Northern Netherlands: applied research and regional collaboration (0.6 MB)
- Higher Education Institutions' Regional Cooperation - Lessons from International Experience for Governance and Action (1.1 MB)
- International Cooperation in Research: a Case Study (3.5 MB)
- International mobility and cooperation: A promising strategy to further opportunities for employability (3.2 MB)
- LEMONOC project (0.8 MB)
- LEMONOC project - supporting material (0.5 MB)
- Managing quality in employability initiatives, maximising student opportunities and minimising the burden on employers (1.9 MB)
- Paradigm Shifts in HE & QA - From Teaching to Learning in Relation to Mission & Vision (1.2 MB)
- QM in Research ‘HR Excellence in Research ‘ & ‘Profiling Research Units’ (1.5 MB)
- Research and Innovation in a Global World (0.2 MB)
- Science Without Borders: Lessons Learned From Brazil Europe Large-Scale Mobility Experiences (0.5 MB)
- The Role of Education in Quality Management – Grasping the Nettle (2.1 MB)