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It has become an accepted fact, if not a truism, that we are undergoing a period of change anddisruption that poses numerous challenges to higher education, as well as for society at large.Building agility for unknown challenges that may emerge is thus a key issue for higher educationlearning and teaching. How can we prepare our students, teachers and institutions for the pathahead? Participants in this future-gazing edition of the European Learning & Teaching Forum willjointly discuss strategies to develop future-readiness in and through learning and teaching. Keyquestions include how higher education can safeguard its relevance through capacity foradaptation and how graduates can be equipped with responsive and adaptable mindsets.
Through a mix of plenary and parallel sessions, the Forum provides a platform for discussion andexchange of practice on how universities enhance learning and teaching. The Forum also presentsthe work of the 2024 Learning & Teaching Thematic Peer Groups. It aims to gather highereducation professionals working at different levels on matters of learning and teaching to exchangeand discuss institutional practice and policy developments. The Forum is an ideal event for vicerectorsfor academic affairs, deans, heads of learning and teaching centres, and managementinvolved in learning and teaching. It also welcomes students, policy makers and other stakeholdersin higher education.
University College Cork (UCC) is delighted to host the European University Association’s 2025 European Learning & Teaching Forum.
UCC connects and empowers people to create knowledge that shapes a sustainable and inclusive world, and core to our purpose is the delivery of a relevant, dynamic and inclusive learning experience for all students. Through our Connected Curriculum and Graduate Attributes Programme we engage students in a distinctive education, where the curriculum is visibly linked to research, employability, civic engagement, the Sustainable Development Goals, other disciplines and the broader global context.
The theme of this year’s Learning & Teaching Forum ‘2030 and beyond: towards responsive and adaptable higher education’ resonates with UCC’s vision and priorities. Since our foundation in 1845, UCC has responded to many periods of challenge and change, and our strategic plan sets out our commitment to secure the future for our people and our planet. In UCC and across Europe we are navigating a challenging environment shaped by social, economic, political and ecological change, technological developments and demographic shifts, as well as an evolving higher education landscape. The pace of change is unprecedented and complex, demanding an agile and forward-thinking approach as we develop and respond to these challenges.
It is incumbent on universities to educate, to research and to lead. We must nurture critical thinking and educate citizens and leaders to tackle the significant societal challenges that we face, and to create a sustainable future. As our Vice President for Learning and Teaching, Professor Paul McSweeney, reflects "At UCC, we are continuously evolving our approaches to ensure that our students not only gain knowledge but develop the critical, adaptive skills required for a rapidly changing world. We recognise that flexibility, inclusivity, and sustainability are essential components in shaping the future of higher education".
As we work to create responsible, resilient and adaptable higher education environments, we are presented with many challenges, but also significant opportunities to enhance our flexibility and sustainability. This empowers us to deliver inclusive and dynamic learning and teaching, research, innovation and cultural growth. The gathering of colleagues from across Europe in UCC offers a remarkable opportunity to exchange knowledge and insights, learning both from and with one other.
We look forward to welcoming you all to Cork in February 2025.
Professor John O’Halloran, MRIA, President, University College Cork
University College Cork (UCC) is an award-winning institution with a history of independent thinking stretching back over 170 years and is proud to be ranked in the top 1.1% of universities in the world. UCC is a leading research-intensive university with over 3,500 staff supporting students from over 110 countries worldwide. UCC is ranked 9th globally in the UI Green Metric World University Ranking of sustainable universities and was the first higher education institution in the world to achieve ISO 50001 certification for energy management.
This beautiful university emerged at the height of the Great Irish Famine (An Gorta Mór), opening its gates to just 115 students in 1849. The student population now numbers over 24,000. UCC is a treasure trove of history and culture telling the story of the development of Cork from the 19th Century Industrial Revolution, through the Famine and beyond. The campus is an example of gothic and hiberno-romanesque architecture, situated on a beautiful 50-acre site with a rich arboretum of 2,500 trees including California redwoods and a Wollemia nobilis, one of the rarest trees in the world. It has Ireland’s largest collection of ogham stones, the only observatory on any Irish university campus, and is also home to the Honan Chapel, which houses famous stained-glass windows by acclaimed artist Harry Clarke.
Ireland’s second city, proudly referred to by Corkonians as ‘the Real Capital’, Cork is a forward-thinking, fast-growing, and friendly city and an important business and cultural hub, making it a great place to live and work. Home to 225,000 people, Cork is a cosmopolitan city set against a backdrop of stunning coastline, countryside and picturesque coastal towns. Located in the second largest natural harbour in the world, Cork is the heartland of Ireland’s energy, food, pharmaceutical and ICT industries. Seven out of ten of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies and Ireland’s top four food companies are located in the province. UCC graduates make a critical contribution to the local talent pipeline that is at the heart of innovation and competitiveness for the region. Cork is the fastest growing city in the country and has been ranked as one of Europe’s top 25 cities of the future.
Cork's ancient motto is ‘A safe harbour for ships’ and it was around this huge maritime haven that Cork grew from a tiny 7th century settlement into the compact and vibrant city it is today. This merchant city is a bustling hive of culture. Its list of award-winning restaurants and the famous English Market have made it Ireland's food capital, lauded by critics worldwide, while Cork's flourishing craft beer scene compliments the city’s cozy, friendly pubs and toe-tapping traditional Irish music gigs.
The call for contributions for the 2025 European Learning & Teaching Forum is now closed. Authors of submitted proposals will be informed in December 2024 whether their submission has been accepted.
The Forum will be of interest to vice-rectors for academic affairs, deans, programme directors, academic staff and researchers focusing on learning and teaching. The Forum also welcomes the participation of students, policy makers and other stakeholders in higher education.
The early registration deadline is 13 January 2025. The final deadline for registration is 7 February 2025.
Registration fees
The registration fee includes attendance at the Forum, coffee breaks, lunches and the Forum dinner on Thursday, 27 February 2025. Participant fees do not cover travel, accommodation expenses.
EUA members can benefit from a group registration discount of 15%. A group must include:- 3 to 7 participants- A student registration (will be asked to provide the EUA Student Certificate form)To register as a group, select "EUA member" and proceed by filling in the information of your group members one by one. Registering a group and benefiting from the discount implies that one of the group members is a student. EUA reserves the right to contact you for verification and adapt the registration fee if needed
EUA aims to ensure the participation of all members who wish to attend EUA events. However, each event has a limited capacity, and to guarantee a fair balance amongst countries and institutions, EUA may have to restrict attendance. As a result, EUA reserves the right to refuse registrations if there are too many participants from one institution. Priority will be given to those who register early. EUA will not be able to accept additional registrations once the event is full, even if this occurs before the registration deadline.
Confirmation Please note that by filling in the registration form for an event you agree to full payment of the registration fees. Your registration will be confirmed by email. Please wait for your confirmation before making any further arrangements.
Payment Registrations will not be processed without payment. Payment has to be made upon confirmation and prior to the event by bank transfer or by credit card. The participant assumes full responsibility for paying all bank charges associated with the payment.
Cancellations
Substitutes will be accepted at any time provided that EUA is informed of the change. Cancellations or changes must be sent in writing to ltforum@eua.eu.
Liability
Neither EUA nor the University College Cork will be liable for any losses, accidents or damage to persons or objects, regardless of the cause. Participants attend the Forum and all related events at their own risk and responsibility.
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the EUA Events Team at ltforum@eua.eu.
Enquiries
1. Registrations, payments, invoices, visa applications and general coordination: ltforum@eua.eu2. Accommodation and local information: euaforum25@ucc.ie3. Programme: ltforum@eua.eu
ADDRESSES OF THE FORUM VENUE
The Forum will be take place at the University College Cork, main campusCollege Rd, University College, Cork, Ireland
Check this map for more details on buidlings and entrance to access UCC
RegistrationRegistration for the event will take place in Devere Hall, the Student Centre.Devere Hall, Student Centre, College Rd, University College, Cork, Ireland
Forum DinnerLocation: Kingsley Hotel (Deane Woodward Suite), Victoria Cross, Cork, T12 P680.The Kingsley Hotel is a 15-minute walk from UCC.
ACCOMMODATION
Please see below a list of recommended hotel with special discount code for participants
Kingsley Hotel, Carrigrohane Rd, Sunday's Well, Cork, T12 P680Phone: 00353 21 480 0500€195 per night, single occupancy B&B.Utilise code UCCEUA when booking. Book by calling the hotel or by entering the code in the promo code section of the website, up to 30 days prior to the event.
Imperial Hotel, 76 South Mall, Cork, T12 A2YTPhone: 00353 21 4274040€170 per night, single occupancy B&B.Utilise reservation code #856871 when booking by calling the hotel or via the website up to 60 days before the event.
Maldron Hotel South Mall, South Mall, Cork, T12 EE72Phone: 00353 21 203 7000€165 per night, single occupancy B&B.Utilise code EUAL250225 when booking. Book online via hotel website up to 25th January 2025 to avail of rate.
Clayton Hotel, Lapp’s Quay, Cork, T12 RD6EPhone: 00353 21 422 4900€179 per night, single occupancy B&B.Utilise code EUAF250225 when booking. Book online via hotel website up to 25th January 2025 to avail of rate.
River Lee Hotel, Western Rd, Cork, T12 X2AHPhone: 00353 21 425 2700€195 per night, single occupancy B&B.Utilise code EUAL250225. Book by contacting the Reservations Department directly by phone or by email cork@doylecollection.com, up to 29th December 2024.
GETTING AROUND AND GOOD TO KNOW
For more information on how to get to the venue and practicalities for the forum, please check this document.
