SPHERE Annual Conference 2024

The theme of the 2024 virtual conference was coherent with the Overarching Theme of SPHERE activities in 2024: “Higher education engagement with society and the economy”. This encompassed events that tackled the following sub-themes:

• Institutional approaches and strategies for greening

• Universities in local ecosystems

• University-Industry partnerships (educational/teaching focus)

• Inclusion in internationalization

• European University Alliances and their international projection  

Offered over two days via the Zoom platform, the annual conference revisited highlights from the different SPHERE activities in 2024, establishing linkages between the sub-themes and inspired take-aways for the HERE as they continue to design and implement reforms and national and institutional level. 

Objectives of the Conference

• Provide a space for reflection and assessment related to the SPHERE 2024 activities, notably in relation to the policy topics identified and the types of events and activities organised. 

• Provide a specific focus on the topic of higher education and the third mission, presenting and discussing the preliminary results of a study that SPHERE has been requested to produce by the European Commission. 

• Offer an information and practice sharing space for current reform priorities linked to the HERE Team annual work plans, as well as a space for promoting relevant EU projects connected to these reforms.

• Forecast the 2025 SPHERE work plan and overarching theme and assess the interests and needs of the HERE. 

The conference concluded with a foresight session, aimed at assessing the HERE’s interests and needs going forward. 

In terms of the modalities of cooperation, many HERE suggested:

• More opportunities for practice exchange and team building with EU experts. The TAM remain a highly valued feature of SPHERE but further opportunities to engage with EU experts are welcomed.
• A possible job shadowing function (HERE staff exchanges as a complementary element to the current SPHERE contract

The HERE were also asked about their interests in thematic foci for 2025. They cited:

• Internationalization at home: Practical strategies
• Micro-credentials: Policy frameworks and institutional strategies
• National strategy development for HE
• Universities 4.9: Digitalization and AI
• Universities in conflict and crisis situations
• SDGs and competency development
• Sustainable financing
• Quality assurance responding to teaching and learning innovation

Download the agenda below.