Following are EURASHE news items related to the event:

Please, download the full rationale for the conference here.

The challenges emerging in most areas of society and life, but especially those brought by a digitalisation of production and services have got into the core attention of discussions on the future role and development of higher education. The new qualifications (Jobs 4.0), flexible patterns of work, but also requirements for learning and enhanced use of technologies in learning are new aspects to complement the existing expectations towards a more open and flexible higher education, its contribution to innovation and society development and responsiveness to various stakeholders’ expectations.

Strengthening professionally oriented higher education (PHE) is an important part of such development. The sector has a specific mission of closer engagement with the world of work, respective regional communities and providing a pathway to relevant competencies for a diverse population of students with different backgrounds, age and learning needs and expectations. Professional higher education plays – and should play even more – an eminent role in various areas from professional and personal development of students and other learners within life-long learning, applied research activities to regional development and engagement with business partners, in particular SMEs. While focusing on these agendas PHE should also address another crucial role of higher education – education and development of people for active citizenship and democracy, their personal development and balancing it with professional aspects.

The 28 EURASHE annual conference in Tallinn (Estonia) will be a two-day conference hosted by the Estonian Rectors’ Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences (RKRN) with the support of the Ministry of Education and Research. The first day of the conference will focus more on the HE educational policies and academic issues, the role of PHE within diversified higher education systems across Europe, specific mission and features of universities of applied sciences and their service to the society and how are these reflected in concrete academic provisions, curricular, teaching and learning arrangements, research and development activities and engagement of partners, in particular students and the world of work representatives., the sector’s attractiveness and perception of the world of work. The second day will focus on the relevant policies and expectations from and partnerships with the businesses and other partners from the world of work, various models and approaches to their effective engagement within mutually beneficial strategic partnerships and the specific arrangements for collaboration with SMEs and regional authorities.

The Annual Conference will be held prior to the Bologna process Ministerial conference in Paris and will feed into the further discussion on developments of European higher education after 2020. The conference key tracks are envisaged as guiding lines for potential contributions on innovative and inspiring approaches throughout the conference. The mission, role and concept of universities of applied sciences, impact and accountability, promotion within society
– Strategic partnerships with the world of work and other stakeholders, partners’ expectations and approaches to their effective engagement
– Innovative teaching and learning within PHE; addressing the new digital challenges, work based learning, recognition, relevant staff qualifications and development and engagement of stakeholders
– Role of universities of applied sciences in applied R&I, collaboration and enhanced capacity for research and innovation through partnerships and students’ engagement in research
– Contribution to regional development in partnership with the world of work (SMEs), regional authorities and other stakeholders, the unique role and potential of universities of applied sciences

Download the Conference’s leaflet here

Download the programme here

 

Wednesday 18 April 2018
14.00	CSA, EURASHE workshop on strategy and policy
16.00	Coffee
16.30	EURASHE General Assembly
19.30	Pre-conference networking reception – Tallinn University of Applied Sciences (in Estonian: Tallinna Tehnikakõrgkool)

All events on the 18th of April will take place at TTK UAS (Tallinna Tehnikakõrgkool), address: Pärnu mnt 62, Tallinn, http://www.tktk.ee/en/

How to get there from the airport:

• Tram No 4, stop Kosmos.
• Taxi (costs around 10-15 euros)

 

 

 

Tallinn Creative Hub

Thursday 19 April 2018, HE policy and academic issues
8.30	Registrations and coffee
9.30	Welcome speech by Mailis Reps, the Minister of Education and Research of Estonia Welcome speech by Stéphane Lauwick, President of EURASHE
10.00	Keynote speech by Dirk van Damme ‘Mega-trends shaping the future of higher education and transforming its purpose’
10.30	Keynote speech by Ellen Hazelkorn ‘Challenges, Opportunities and Risks for Universities of Applied Sciences in the Changing Higher Education Landscape’
11.00	Introduction to afternoon sessions
11.20	Coffee break
11.40	Breakout session	Breakout session	Good practices	Good practices
	Alicia-Leonor Sauli-Miklavčič Integrating Policy to Strengthen and Increase the Relevance of PHE	Liza Kozlowska Digital Native and Digital Education: dream or disaster?	Reet Urban Learning in the work-place practical training	Jaanus Jakimenko Students’ Expectations about e-Learning in Estonian Aviation Academy
			Anne Roosipõld The new challenge to Estonian University of Applied Sciences. How to support the workplace supervisors in the process of assessing students?	Marek Frankowicz TEACHEX – Teaching Excellence in Israel: What have we learned
12:45	Lunch break
14:00	Breakout session	Breakout session	Good practices	UAS Leadership Forum (by invitation only)
	Raimund Hudak How to boost the Strategic Triangle – between HVET/PHE institutions, employers	Marek Frankowicz and Anthony Camilleri Capacity building of professional higher education institutions: key characteristics of PHE, self-evaluation methodology and benchmarking tools (outcomes of HAPHE and BuildPHE projects)	Maris Krastins Partnerships to ensure Risk Management in practice
			Jelizaveta Janno Students’ Logistics Seminar
			Annika Eskman Student-based Research, Development and Innovation Activities in the Finnish University of Applied Sciences – Delivering Solutions to the Future of Work
15.30	Coffee break
16.00	Breakout session	Breakout session	Good practices
	Victor Arias Rodríguez Deployment of Regional Innovation Policies and Strategies counting on the collaboration of VET centres (European Level 5) and SMEs in the Basque Country	Mandy Schulze Developing postgraduate master programs for professionals at Universities of Applied sciences	Ivan D’hondt TransfoCollect at RITCS|School of Arts: from idea to practice and vice versa creating a greenhouse for talents
			Paula Tavares and Catarina Silva Regional transformation through design
17:10	Wrap-up session moderated by Lars Lynge Nielsen, former President of EURASHE Participants: -Ellen Hazelkorn, Partner and international education policy consultant with BH Associates -Themistokleia Kaniklidou, Assistant Professor in Translation Studies at Hellenic American University -Karlo Kolesar, Student representative, EURASHE Committee of Strategic Advice -Jeannette Weisschuh, Senior leader at Hewlett Packard Enterprise
18.00	End of day 1
19:30	Conference dinner – Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour

 

Friday 20 April 2018, Partnerships with businesses
8.30	Registrations and coffee
9.30	Keynote speech by Todd Davey Building ‘UAS of the future: University-Business Cooperation’s role in developing knowledge societies’
10.10	Keynote speech by Ulf-Daniel Ehlers ‘The digital turn for future higher education’
10.40	Introduction to sessions
10.50	Coffee break
11.20	Breakout session	Breakout session	Good practices	Good practices
	Hannes Raffaseder Evaluating third mission for innovation – how to measure the inside-out and outside-in effects of collaboration	Herman Van de Mosselaer Areas and actions for a productive collaboration between PHE, employers and students	Jelizaveta Janno and Helen Kiis Cross-border cooperation for SMES	David Taylor Our Students doing the Business
			Annick Dhooge and Mr Christophe Benoit Partners in education through ‘routes to success’: an integrated approach to education, research and involvement of the professional field	Anthony Camilleri Micro-credentials
12.30	Lunch break
13.30	Alar Kolk President of European Innovation Academy ‘HEI, Change to Entrepreneurial One: Save Europe & Your School!’
14.00	Panel discussion & Key observations moderated by Neeme Raud, Journalist, News Anchor and International Correspondent Participants: -Todd Davey, Director at the University-Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) -Annika Eskman, Member of the Board at University of Applied Sciences Students in Finland – SAMOK -Ulla Preeden, Rector of Tartu Health Care College in Estonia
14.40	Conclusions and farewell
15.00	Study visits TTK UAS Tallinn Health Care College Ülemiste Smart City

17.00 End of day 2

 

Saturday 21 April 2018

10 AM

Social programme 10 AM – gathering at the Viru Gate (Viru väravad, https://www.visitestonia.com/en/viru-gate). The guide will wait there and holds the sign with EURASHE logo. 10:10 AM – walking tour starts on the streets of the Old Town. You will visit the Pharmacy (Raeapteek, http://raeapteek.ee/en/) and taste the pharmacy vine (klarett) there. 12-12:30 – the tour ends at Viru Gate or the place that suits for participants. Price: 20 eur/person

 

The call for contributions is now open.

Download the full Call for contribution Submit your proposal Word version of submission form

Call for contributions – Deadline 15 January 2018

Introduction

EURASHE is the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education that offer professionally orientated programmes and are engaged in applied research within the Bologna cycles. EURASHE represents universities of applied sciences and university colleges, national and sectorial associations of higher education institutions, and other individual institutions, such as universities. EURASHE will organise together with the the Estonian Rectors’ Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences (RCUAS) and with the support of the Ministry of Education and Research the 28th EURASHE Annual Conference in Tallinn (Estonia) on 19-20 April 2018.

The conference will address the topics of the role of professional higher education (PHE), its potential to contribute to further social and economic development, to reflection of challenges brought by social and technological developments through strategic partnerships with businesses, other institutions, regional stakeholders and to become a key connecting point within the society as regards learning, development and innovation.
You can find the full conference rationale here.

The conference key tracks are envisaged as guiding lines for potential contributions on innovative and inspiring approaches throughout the conference:
The mission, role and concept of universities of applied sciences, impact and accountability, promotion within society
– Strategic partnerships with the world of work and other stakeholders, partners’ expectations and approaches to their effective engagement
– Innovative teaching and learning within PHE; addressing the new digital challenges, work based learning, recognition, relevant staff qualifications and development and engagement of stakeholders
– Role of universities of applied sciences in applied R&I, collaboration and enhanced capacity for research and innovation through partnerships and students’ engagement in research
– Contribution to regional development in partnership with the world of work (SMEs), regional authorities and other stakeholders, the unique role and potential of universities of applied sciences

Participants
EURASHE expects the 28th Annual Conference to attract expert participants from both European professional higher education institutions, but also from relevant European stakeholders. This year’s Annual Conference is also especially aimed to attract representatives of the European businesses and the world of work. To serve this purpose, we have reserved the second day to address this cooperation. EURASHE invites universities of applied sciences’ leaders, the entire community of professional higher education, European businesses and public institutions and European students’ representatives to join the Annual Conference to share their experience and learn about trends, models and inspiring practices.

Call for contributions
We invite contributions from practitioners from higher education institutions and relevant stakeholders from the field, including companies, students, national authorities, quality assurance agencies, etc. EURASHE’s annual conference is an excellent opportunity to present current practice or research and test new ideas, elicit feedback from colleagues and stakeholders, and engage with all participants. All contributions are expected to seek to stimulate a discussion with the participants, thus enhancing peer-learning.
The deadline to submit a contribution is Monday 15 January 2018, 12.00 pm (noon) CET Brussels-time. All submissions received after this time will not be considered. EURASHE’s annual conference is policy makers and practitioners’ conference, contributions that are not based on scientific papers are preferred.

EURASHE welcomes two types of contributions:
1. Breakout sessions: Each interactive parallel breakout session would be attended by about 30 participants and will last 90-75 minutes. The breakout sessions should be organised in an interactive way as workshops to encourage discussions between the participants. The structure can e.g. include an overview, followed by group discussions. The organising committee expects to accept about 8 proposals for this year’s conference.
2. Good practice examples: 2-3 brief examples of good practice will be presented together within blocks parallel to breakout sessions. The Programme committee expects to accept about 12 proposals.

Benefits
Presenting at EURASHE’s annual conference allows to reach a wide audience of European experts.
In addition, selected contributions will be offered:
1. Breakout sessions: one full fee-waiver/session
2. Good practice examples: a reduction of a participation fee by 150 € for one person.
Only one fee-waiver/reduced fee will be provided per contribution. Additional compensations cannot be
offered.

Download the full Call for contribution

Should you have any questions related to the call for contributions, please contact eurashe@eurashe.eu

Following are the speakers and other non-presenting authors of the event:

Following are the members of the programme committee of the event:

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!

Registration fee

Participant	Full Conference	One-day (without dinner)
Regular participants (non-members of EURASHE)	EUR 399	EUR 229
Members of EURASHE	EUR 299	EUR 163
Participants from Estonia	EUR 199	EUR 139
12.5% reduction on the fee for every additional participant from the same organisation (registration at the same time, payed by one invoice)

The registration fee includes attendance at the conference, all materials (documentation and welcome package), coffee breaks, the pre-conference reception on Wednesday 18 April, the lunch on Thursday 19 April, the Gala Dinner on Thursday 19 April, the catering and study visits on Friday 20 April for participants. The fee does not cover travel and accommodation expenses nor the additional social programme on Saturday 21 April. It is also possible for one day participants to join the conference dinner for an additional fee (55€)
The reduced participation fees do not apply to the social programme and dinner.

Reduced fees are cumulative: e.g. a member of EURASHE selected for a good practice presentation will benefit from a EUR 150 reduction on the reduced members’ registration fee. Reduced fees do not apply to the social programme.

The social programme fees are set as follows:
– Conference receptions and dinner for participants: in the registration fee
– Conference receptions and dinner for a companion (spouse/partner only): EUR 55
– Saturday social programme: EUR 40

There is a possibility to pay your fee in cash on the spot. Should you wish to do so, please contact EURASHE Secretariat before the conference. An administrative fee of EUR 25 may be charged in addition to your registration fee.

Cancellation

Cancellations must be sent in writing to eurashe(a)eurashe.eu. Substitutes may be accepted at any time, provided that the secretariat is informed of the change.
– Prior to 1 March 2018 will be reimbursed fully, minus a EUR 25 handling fee.
– Between 2 March and 30 March 2018 will be reimbursed in the amount of 50%, minus a EUR 25 handling fee.
– Between 31 March and 10 April will be reimbursed in the amount of 30%, minus a EUR 25 handling fee.
– After 10 April, or registered participants who do not attend the conference will be liable to pay the entire registration fee.

Confirmation

The registration will be confirmed by an email. However, please note that your registration will be completed and considered final only when your payment has been received.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the secretariat at eurashe(a)eurashe.eu.

Following are the practicalities of the event:

Open Annual Conference map in Google Maps

PRACTICALITIES

Traveling to Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is located in Northern Europe in the north-eastern part of the Baltic Sea region.

Tallinn can be reached

• by air – the city’s international airport is just 4 km from the city centre. This means that transport to most destinations takes surprisingly little time.
• by sea – ships from Helsinki (Finland) bring travellers to Tallinn’s passenger port each day. There is an overnight ferry link with Stockholm (Sweden) and a weekly cruise ship connection to St Petersburg (Russia).
• by bus – 2 international bus lines offer connections to Tallinn from several other European cities. Regular routes connecting Tallinn with Riga (Latvia), Vilnius (Lithuania) and St Petersburg (Russia) operate several times a day.

For more information, please see the Visit Tallinn webpage.

Conference location

The 28th Annual Conference will be hosted by the RKRN in the Tallinn Creative Hub (Kultuurikatel), Põhja pst 27a, Tallinn 10415. The Creative Hub is a multi-functional and universal event center in the heart of Tallinn. The passenger port and the city center are only a few hundred meters away. The distance to the airport is just 6,5 km.

Virtual tour: http://kultuurikatel.ee/virtuaaltuur/

Accommodation

Following is a selection of hotels near the conference venue.

• Nordic Hotel Forum 4* (Viru väljak 3, 10111 Tallinn)

A modern superior four-star business and conference hotel in the heart of Tallinn, 10 min walk away from the conference location. Booking instructions for special rates, please click here, via email: forum@nordichotels.eu, password EURASHE or by phone: +372 622 2999, password EURASHE.
Standard Class double room for single/double use – 104 EUR/per night, Business Class double room for single/double use – 124 EUR/per night.
Rates include buffet breakfast, use of hotel’s Leisure Centre and VAT. Bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival. Special rates are available until 2 Apr, 2018.

• Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel 4* (Sadama 11a, 10111 Tallinn)

5 min walk away from the conference location. Bookings can be made in written form via email: hotelbooking@tallink.ee by using the password EURASHE28. Standard single room 85 EUR/per night, Standard twin room 85 EUR/per night (period 17-21 Apr, 2018). Rates include buffet breakfast and VAT. Special rates are available until 1 March, 2018.

• Tallink Express Hotel 3* (Sadama 9, 10111 Tallinn)

5 min walk away from the conference location. Bookings can be made in written form via email: hotelbooking@tallink.ee by using the password EURASHE28. Standard single room 65 EUR/per night, Standard twin room 65 EUR/per night (period 17-21 Apr, 2018). Rates include buffet breakfast and VAT. Special rates are available until 1 March, 2018.

• Original Sokos Hotel Viru (Viru väljak 4, 10111 Tallinn)

13 min walk away from the conference location. Booking instructions for special rates via Internet link: https://www.sokoshotels.fi by using the reservation code BEURASHE28. Standard single room 94 EUR/per night, Standard twin room 99 EUR/per night (period 17-21 Apr, 2018). Rates include buffet breakfast, access to Cafe Amigo nightclub and VAT. Special rates are available until 7 March, 2018.

• Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel(Toompuiestee 27/Paldiski mnt 4, 10149 Tallinn)

20 min walk away from the conference location. Participants can book accommodation using the link: https://goo.gl/BCQjfQ and promotional code AC2018 to benefit from reduced rates. Superior class room for one person 70 EUR/per night, for two persons 80 EUR/per night. Rates include buffet breakfast, use of Sauna and Water center and VAT. Special rates are available until 18 March, 2018.

 

Conference Gala Dinner

19 Apr, 2018 at 7:30 PM

Seaplane Harbour (Lennusadam), Vesilennuki 6, 10415 Tallinn, website: http://meremuuseum.ee/lennusadam/en/

The Conference Dinner is located approximately 15 min walk away from the conference location.

 

Social programme

21 Apr, 2018

Old Town walking tour and visit the Tallinn’s oldest business Raeapteek Pharmacy, http://raeapteek.ee/en/

More on Tallinn on Visit Tallinn website here.

Presentation video of the Estonian education system