The European Students’ UnionREPRESENTING STUDENTS SINCE 1982

Fernando M Galán Palomares (Vice-Chairperson)

Creativity, learning and academic freedom

Creativity and academic freedom’ role in learning

25th Anniversary Magna Charta UniversitatumBologna, 19th September 2013

Outline

1.Background2.Creativity and academic freedom’ role in learning

3.Conclusions

Background1

The European Students’ Union

•The European Students' Union (ESU) is an umbrella organisation of 47 National Unions of Students from 39 different countries. Through its members, ESU represents over 20 million students in Europe.

•The aim of ESU is to represent and promote the educational, social, economic and cultural interests of students at the European level towards all relevant bodies.

The beginning….

The European Students’ UnionREPRESENTING STUDENTS SINCE 1982

Role of students

"World Declaration on Higher Education in the Twenty-first Century: Vision and Action", by the World Conference on Higher Education of UNESCO, recognizes students as one of the main stakeholders in higher education. (1998)

Within the Bologna Process: the Prague Communiqué’01 recognizes that students are full members of the academic community and constructive partners as subjects, active and competent in the establishment and construction of the EHEA.

Is it part of the European “values” and specifics?

Role of students

Each university must -with due allowance for particular circumstances– ensure that its students' freedoms are safeguarded and that they enjoy conditions in which they can acquire the culture and training which it is their purpose to possess.

Magna Charta Universitatum(Bologna, 1988)

Creativity and academic freedom’ role in learning2

Role of Higher EducationWe recognise the important influence higher education institutions (HEIs) exert on developing our societies, based on their traditions as centres of learning, research, creativity and knowledge transfer as well as their key role in defining and transmitting the values on which our societies are built.

Our aim is to ensure that our HEIs have the necessary resources to continue to fulfil their full range of purposes: - students for life as active citizens in a democratic society;- preparing students for their future careers and enabling their personal development; - creating and maintaining a broad, advanced knowledge base; and stimulating research and innovation.

London Communiqué 2007

Role of Higher Education

A good quality higher education system is characterized by removing all obstacles to access, and facilitating progress and completion; implementing student-centred approach of learning and fairly assessing students, braced by adequate student support services; ensuring links between learning, teaching and research activities; individual social and civic training for responsible and active citizens; mobility opportunities; academic freedom;

and where students are consider as full members of the academic community and competent constructive partners

The European Students’ Union – Policy Paper

Access to Higher Education

Student-Centred Learning (I)

Learning and teaching and student assessment methodologies should be aligned and support achievement of the intended learning outcomes, while taking into consideration student needs

Student-Centred Learning (II)

Curricula of study programmes should allow certain level of flexibility, with regards to students’ their academic interests and strengths, as such students should also be an integral part in shaping the curricula.

Students should have the option to take up courses from other fields of study. Multi and inter disciplinary approach should be also used in the curricula design.

Students should be involved in the process of designing the study programmes and defining its learning outcomes.

The European Students’ Union – Policy Paper

Student-Centred Learning (III)

Student participation in research is critical in ensuring a research-based education, and is a cornerstone in inspiring lifelong learning.

Recognition and protection of intellectual creation and contribution from the students.

Today many students in Europe lack access to a wide selection of research journals

All this is inhibiting the quality of studies and academic integrity.

The European Students’ Union – Policy Paper

But wait… (once again)

What is all this for?What is all this about?

Does the context matter?

Youth unemployment (I)

Youth unemployment (II)

Funding Higher Education (I)

Funding Higher Education (II)

Conclusions3

Widening access to higher education, given opportunities to those coming from challenging backgrounds.

Implementing Student-centred learning approach, with adequate student support. Student participation in HEI’s governance as part of her/his education and for the benefit of the HEI and the academic community

Enabling access to information and research outcomes, as well as ensuring freedom of speech of students and promoting critical thinking among them.

Creativity and academic freedom (I)

Creativity and academic freedom (II)

Promoting participation of students in research activities.

Ensuring impact of research in the teaching and learning process.

Protecting of intellectual production from the students.

Adequate funding for students and Higher Education Institutions, as higher education should be consider a public good, which develops societies, and thus a public responsibility.

Academic freedom of teachers and students as a key factor for quality education

Grazie! / Thank you!

The European Students’ UnionREPRESENTING STUDENTS SINCE 1982

fernando.galan@esu-online.org

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