Conference 28.02.2020
International DASCHE project conference in Warsaw on 28 February 2020 has concluded
International DASCHE project conference “Social competences – the new dimension of the traditional mission of higher education” took place in Warsaw, 28 February 2020.
“Social competences – the new dimension of the traditional mission of higher education”
Warsaw, 28 February 2020
SGH/Warsaw School of Economics Main Hall, Aleje Niepodległości 162, Warsaw
Fulfilling the third mission of the University – serving society – should focus on both current and future challenges, in particular those related to the Industrial Revolution 4.0. To meet these challenges, universities should effectively exploit their research and education potential and comply with the Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs.
Rapidly changing working conditions and social structures require individuals who actively shape their role in society. Higher education institutions are responsible for preparing their graduates not only for the labour market but also (and perhaps first of all) for being enlightened and active members of society. Higher education students and graduates play an essential role in developing and maintaining culture, humanity and democracy – developing social cohesion, preventing exclusion and extremism.
The DASCHE project supports the idea of strengthening the social dimension of university activity and providing students with the competences necessary for active engagement, at the same time as enabling them to be successful in the rapidly changing labour market and surroundings in which they live now and in the coming decades. The DASCHE project studied how higher education institutions in Europe are developing such competences — we call them, broadly, social competences. Our research shows that social competences are critical for all higher education institutions and for their stakeholders, although there is no unified definition for what those social competences entail – there is necessary room for debates about social competences, room for reflection.
- Are the European and national societies ready to face today’s and future challenges? Demographical? Climate? Automatization? Political?
- How can we prepare our students for the unpredictable future?
- What should be offered in a teaching and learning process? Are knowledge and skills sufficient? What else is particularly important?
- What is the responsibility of higher education for it? What is the value of higher education? Especially in long-term perspective.
During the final DASCHE conference, we wanted to provide a platform for discussion on these issues.
We also wished to create a showcase for your projects and ideas devoted to social competence teaching and learning not only in context of labour market and professional-related skills, but also on critical engagement, social consciousness and empowerment facing the challenges of nowadays.