Wednesday, 21 April 2021 | 2:30 pm UTC (3:30 pm CET)

As higher education across the world begins to think of life after COVID, we need to rethink what the purpose and philosophy of our universities are, or should be, because a return to the status quo ante is neither possible nor desirable. ’Business as usual’ will not be adequate to deal with the weaknesses shown up in our systems, nor will it really be able to rise to the challenges posed by a post-COVID world.
On the positive side, the response by universities to the pandemic has demonstrated the deep well of creativity, engagement, and solidarity that exists within them. We need to capture that emerging spirit and create the conditions for a new, more democratic, inclusive and networked university to emerge. Just like the pandemic, that project will necessarily be an international one; it will also need to involve all university stakeholders, not only managers but also all staff and, of course, the students.

 MC:
Joanna Ozarowska, Programme Manager, DCU in the Community.

 Introduction of Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris, by DCU President Prof Daire Keogh.
 Address by Minister Harris.
 Symposium facilitated by Prof Ronnie Munck.

 Participants:

• Daire Keogh, President, Dublin City University.
• Ligia Deca, Presidential Adviser to the President of Romania, Department of Education and Research.
• Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary-General, IAU.
• Sjur Bergan, Head of the Education Department, Council of Europe.

Registration details will be made available soon.