Facilitators
- Channa van der Brug (Stifterverband)
- Thomas Jørgensen (EUA)
Problem statement
The Higher Education Interoperability Framework (HEIF) provides an overarching and well-articulated vision for interoperability. However, a strategic approach is essential to build political will and drive implementation to embed higher education interoperability in EU projects, programmes and policy frameworks (such as the Union of Skills).
Such a strategic approach should be based on a common, well-articulated vision of the future, a ‘preferred future’ identified through a collaborative process involving practitioners and the main stakeholders. As a second step, this vision should be checked against the political reality, including the distribution of competences between the EU and its member states.
This is necessary to build consensus on the future shape of European higher education and to address the policy issues and systemic challenges related to interoperability. Given that interoperability challenges cannot be solved by sectoral organisations and higher education institutions alone, it is important to maintain a dialogue with the EU Member States and the European Higher Education Area. Clarifying what level of commitment is needed from whom and exploring the different forms a future ecosystem could take is therefore part of the challenge which this task force addresses, as well as the necessary governance for the future.
Use Cases
transversal
Results
The main deliverable is a Strategic Approach document developed by key stakeholder organisations. This aims to articulate a preferred future 10 years from now, outlining short and long term objectives and recommendations for interoperability in higher education, in line with EU policies.
Crucially, it will address the power structures and governance needed to build consensus on the future shape of European higher education. Its roadmap will serve as a basis for subsequent work, such as informing further stakeholder engagement and identifying additional use cases or education sectors to be addressed by the HEIF.
