Dates:                          5^th, 6^th, 12^th & 13^th November 2024, each day 11:00-12:30 CET

Format:                       online (Zoom)

Conference fee:         free conference

Registration:              under the following Link
                                      (possible until 4^th November 2024, 12:00 CET)

5^th November 2024

Flexible learning pathways are an important prerequisite for individual lifelong learning and equal opportunities. Removing barriers to educational pathways through recognition of prior learning (RPL) not only promotes social participation, but also counteracts the increasing shortage of skilled workers and helps people to respond to the changing demands of the labour market by acquiring skills throughout their lives.

At the first day of the European RPL Network conference, we will discuss the principles of RPL in higher education and why it is useful for institutions, learners and society. The session is aimed at all those involved in the recognition of competences and issues of lifelong learning in higher education or those who want to learn about RPL. The session provides information on RPL in higher education, organisational aspects and quality assurance, as well as the assessment of learning acquired outside of formal education settings.

• Anna Gover, Director, ENQA
• Wolfgang Müskens, Researcher, University of Oldenburg
• Patrick Werquin, Associate Professor and International independent consultant, French Tertiary Education and Research Institute (CNAM), Paris
  

Moderation: Ann-Christine Birke, Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK)

6^th November 2024

As a tool to foster flexible learning paths and lifelong learning, recognition of prior learning (RPL) has been on the agenda of European higher education for many years. This online event will be an opportunity for participants to learn more about European-level policies with an impact on how RPL is implemented at the national and institutional level. The event will also invite participants to reflect on which factors contribute to its successful uptake by policy-makers, higher education leadership and learners.  This event will be of interest to policy makers, higher education leadership and management, as well as any other higher education professionals who would like to learn more about policy approaches to RPL.

• David Crosier, Higher Education System and Policy Analyst, Eurydice 
• Nora Angelova, Executive Committee Member, European Students’ Union (ESU) 
• Dag Hovhaugen, Executive Director, Division for Recognition and Admission, Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills 
• Annika Meike Maschwitz, Member of the University Executive Board, Vice-Rector for Studies, Teaching and Internationalisation, Bremen City University of Applied Sciences

Moderation: Helene Peterbauer, European University Association (EUA)

12th November 2024

In addition to a clear vision for RPL as an overall concept, a culture of trust needs to be established to implement RPL. The recognition and validation of knowledge, skills and competences is uncharted territory for many higher education institutions and requires a paradigm shift towards the recognition of recognition, towards an RPL-friendly culture. How this culture can be promoted and how universities succeed in integrating RPL into the life of the university will be presented on the 3^rd day of the conference using examples of good practice from three partner countries of the European network. 

• Susanna Boldrino, RPL Network Austria & European RPL Network 
• Anna Magnea Hreinsdóttir, School of Ed., University of Iceland 
• Ciara Staunton, Academic Operations Manager, ACE at University College Cork, Ireland 

Moderation: Agnes Witzani, Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria)

13^th November 2024

When it comes to RPL ‘there is plenty of information and theory available but, for many, the difficulty lies in interpreting the information for practical application in the daily work of the HEI’ (Recognition of Prior Learning in Practice in Report, 2021). The report suggests that one way forward is to ‘form networks for exchanging experience and to establish mutual trust and confidence’. While RPL approaches are justifiably varied in different contexts, people who work with RPL face many common challenges, for example, embeddedness, quality assurance, consistency and data collection/reporting. The role of networks and community building is therefore not a ‘nice to have’ but an essential building block for the effective practice of RPL. These types of collaborative fora enable the sharing of experiences, strategies, and best practices, foster peer-learning and enhance the overall quality and reach of RPL processes. 

The session, European Collaboration for RPL: Sharing Good Practice within and across Borders, will explore how such networks can drive the expansion of RPL by offering practical solutions and support across a range of contexts. By bringing together practitioners, network members and co-ordinators, this session aims to highlight successful examples of collaboration and peer-learning and to discuss how networks support the scalability and sustainability of RPL practices.

• Karina Curley & Siobhan Magee, Cochairs, Recognition of Prior Learning Practitioners’ Network, Ireland
• Cecilia George, Senior Credential Evaluator, Swedish Council for Higher Education
• Veronika Lanzenberger, Member of Austrian RPL Network, Specialist in the field of higher education (focus on recognition/validation), EURIDICE project management support, University of Innsbruck

Moderation: Marin Johnson, Member of the Irish RPL in Higher Education Project Steering Group & Dean of Education, Chevron College

^{The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.}