News

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programmes – How and Why?

The Norwegian national agency for the Erasmus+ programme arranged on 16 January 2024 a webinar, which targeted future applicants to the action Erasmus Mundus, notably EM Joint Masters and EM Design Measures. For these two Erasmus+ activities, Odd Bjørn Ure intervened at the webinar by looking at them from the perspective of a project evaluator. […]

Introduction on Alliances for Innovation and Centres of Vocational Excellence

A Training and Cooperation Activity under Erasmus+ was held in Bergen on 23 October-25 October 2023. Odd Bjørn Ure gave an introducion on this Transnational Nordic contact seminar, which had a cross-sectoral focus on Alliances for Innovation and Centres of Vocational Excellence. These are two actions under the Erasmus+ programme. The seminar was a joint […]

SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT UNDER AUTOMATION – active adaptation at the local level

Odd Bjørn Ure, Tom Skauge: SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT UNDER AUTOMATION – active adaptation at the local level. International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, Vol 6 No 3 (2019). The authors describe how patterns of employment and qualifications are modified by the ongoing industrial transformation, called Industry 4.0. This is done by analysing […]

THE EU INTRODUCTION OF LEARNING OUTCOMES: Norms and Standards versus Transparency and Comparability of Qualifications?

Odd Bjørn Ure (2022): The EU Introduction of Learning Outcomes: Norms and Standards versus Transparency and Comparability of Qualifications?, International Journal of Public Administration The article contributes to a debate about theoretical perspectives able to capture central characteristics of the education policies of the European Union, in this case the introduction of Learning Outcomes. The […]

LEARNING OUTCOMES AS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT AND EXAMPLE OF BOUNDARY CROSSING BETWEEN SOCIETAL SECTORS

Ure, Odd Björn: Learning Outcomes as a Social Construct and Example of Boundary Crossing Between Societal Sectors. Paper presented at the 4th Crossing Boundaries Conference in Vocational Education and Training. Published in: C. Nägele, B.E. Stalder, & M. Weich (Eds.), Pathways in Vocational Education and Training and Lifelong Learning. Proceedings of the 4th Crossing Boundaries […]

Validation of non-formal and informal learning in Norway – new country report

Ure, O. B. (2019). European inventory on validation of non-formal and informal learning. 2018 update: Norway. Every second year, European Commission services take stock of how various countries put into action the European Council Recommendation on validation of non-formal and informal learning, which dates back to 2012. The 2018 update to the European Inventory on […]

(2) JOINT EFFORTS BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES AND ENTERPRISES IN EUROPE (ctd.)

2021-2027: FUTURE COOPERATION BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES AND ENTERPRISES New opportunities for cooperation between academia and business are now being discussed for the years 2021-2027, in other words the second period of the Erasmus+ programme. Following a proposal from the European Commission, the Parliament issued in March 2019 a resolution on the continuation of Erasmus+ in which […]

(1) JOINT EFFORTS BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES AND ENTERPRISES: tackling societal challenges and strengthening the economy and labour markets in Europe

2014-20: COOPERATION BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION AND LABOUR MARKETS IN ERASMUS+ The EU programme Erasmus+ offers an opportunity for higher education institutions and enterprises to develop joint training in the form of Knowledge Alliances. I have on several occasions been among the external experts assessing proposals to set up such alliances. Other partnerships are formed in […]

PARENTAL LEAVE AS AN INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Have a look at this blog in the Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE). The topic is Soft skills, struggles and broader perspectives – parental leave as an informal learning experience. Consultur. Studies & Analyses was invited to comment on statements of three learners with experiences from parental leaves. https://ec.europa.eu/epale/en/blog/soft-skills-struggles-and-broader-perspectives-parental-leave-informal-learning-experience

NETWORKS, ALLIANCES OR PUNCTUAL CO-OPERATION

Education meets Business or the other Way Round Since the adoption of the Erasmus+ programme in 2014, the European Union finances Knowledge Alliances between universities and enterprises. Looking back on the projects approved after the annual application rounds, one question is whether the Knowledge Alliances stand out from previous EU support to co-operation between business […]

Knowledge Alliances – Deadline for the 2016 Round

Ahead of the February 26th deadline for submitting proposals to set up Knowledge Alliances between universities and enterprises, it is time to look at what kind of partnerships between business and academia that the European Union is co-financing. http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/actions/key-action-2-cooperation-for-innovation-and-exchange-good-practices/knowledge-alliances/knowledge-alliances-sector-skills-alliances-2016_en Partnerships between business and academia Let us recall that Knowledge Alliances have to count at least […]

Governance for Learning Outcomes in European Policy-Making:
Qualification Frameworks Pushed through the Open Method of policy Coordination

The article was recently published in the International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training. The author, Odd Bjørn Ure, discusses the following questions: 1. How can theories on knowledge production inform analyses of governance of Learning Outcomes and qualification frameworks at a national and European level? 2. The de facto inclusion of the […]

Lekseleselamper vil ikke tennes i alle hjem med skolebarn

Høsten 2015 blir gradvis mørkere og mørkere, men lekseleselamper vil ikke tennes i alle hjem som huser skolebarn. For det pågår en foreldreaksjonen i Rogaland: “Nå forteller vi skolen at vi fra skolestart høsten 2016 er en Leksefri Familie”. http://www.leksefrifamilie.net/ Lekser kan være så mangt, inkludert meningsløse, – men å avskaffe dem, og med ubehjelpelig […]