Helena Nazaré - European University Association

The Engaged University 

Shaping Inclusive and Responsive 

University Strategies 

31 August – 1 September 2011 

Southampton, United Kingdom 

A conference organised by: 

Hosted by: 

With the support of:


Southampton, UK, 31 August – 1 September 2011. 

Regional Engagement: University of Aveiro, Portugal 

The Engaged University: Diverse approaches to lifelong 

Maria Helena Nazaré 

Former Rector Universidade de Aveiro 

Portugal 

learning in the European Knowledge Society

Demographics (and other challenging) Issues 

• Workforce (re)qualification 

• Integration of immigrants 

Revisit University Mission ( Aveiro University ) 

•Think Globally and act Locally (???) 

• From Ivory Tower, trough Oil Well into Watch Tower 

to become a Light House; Universities CANNOT stay 

aloof of societal challenges?! 


Southampton, UK, 31 August – 1 September 2011.

World Population 2010 – 6,909 billion 

1.300 Mill. - 701 Mill. 

700 Mill. - 251 Mill. 

250 Mill. - 101 Mill. 

100 Mill. - 71 Mill. 

70 Mill. - 31 Mill. 

< = 30 Mill. 



2010 

+ 2.2 billion 



Europe’s population 

(- 42 million) 

2050

% AG 

2010 

2050 

0 -14 15 - 24 

25 - 59; 60+

Demographics: (It’s happening NOW!) 



Over the next decade the percentage of the population over the age of 60 

will grow to over 30% to 40% in the U.S., Europe, and parts of Asia. 

Ageing populations present workforce challenges (qualification) and 

need higher support from the public purse (health and pensions). 

Global disparities in wealth and economic opportunity are driving 

population migration, resulting in growing immigrant and minority 

populations that both diversify and challenge existing cultures, 

economies, and politics (education). 

The gap between the very rich and the very poor is widening. Better and 

stronger policies for improvement of social inclusion and cohesion are 

needed.



The Knowledge Economy: (Demographics are challenging KE) 

Depends upon the creation and application of new knowledge and 

hence upon educated people and their ideas. 

The strength, prosperity, and welfare of a nation in a global 

knowledge economy demand a highly educated citizenry enabled 

by the development of a strong system of tertiary education. 

Able to deal with 20 years old but as well as with the 

qualification and requalification of older generation of actives. 

It also requires world-class research institutions with the 

capacity to discover new knowledge and transfer it into the 

marketplace.

Further challenges 



In the EU 27, the 20- 

24 age group will 

decrease by 23.3% 

in 2050 

PT 

IR 

Spain 

UK 

FR 

BE 

NL 

DK 

NO SW 

GE 

IT 

CZ 

PL 

SK 

HU 

YU 

MK 

LT 

Lv 

FL 

BG 



RO 

BY 

UA 

MD 

20-24 cohort 

Figures range from -36% 

in Hungary to -60% in 

Bulgaria

Global Challenges === Threats to Democratic Societiy?! 

• Economic and finantial meltdown caused by the banking 

sector in 2008 is turning into a global economic crises. 

Could it have been otherwise? ( Ethics plus nformation turned 

into Knowledge) 

Fears about nuclear power may lead to a deep energy 

crises. 

Could it/Can it have been avoided ? (Geological information 

was/is available) 



Knowledge Society 

Demographics 

Change in the 

educational needs 

Values of Citizenship 





Challenges for Higher Education. Systems and Institutions. 

Are they too heavy? 

The need to dramatically broaden participation in higher 

education to build a competitive workforce. Tertiary and Pos 

Graduate. Continuing and Life Long. Integrate minorities and build 

inter geracional bridges. 

Build world-class research Universities. Competition for brains is 

getting tougher. Need to examine the rationale. Cream needs 

milk. 

Maintain parity of esteem among HE Institutions. Are there cases 

of same umbrella Institution? 

Increasing demands on an already stretched public purse due to 

health care, retirement, and security!

The idea of University needs Changing?! 

University must have a segmented mission and a clear vision 

Research. 

Education. 

Cooperation 

with society 



Became, not only producers and imparters of knowledge but drivers of 

innovation and a part of the fabric of a knowledge based inclusive society at 

regional level. Make the research results relevant for our next door neighbour! 

Respond to the shifting needs of labour market. Network to fight 

unemployment and retrain actives . Use the University tool box. 

Equity 

Innovation 

L L L

The hurdles: 

The struggle for excellence. A old fashioned idea 

of University. 

Rankings. Conflict of interests? 

Do Universities have the appropriate Instruments? 

Who pays for it? 

Ensuring Quality. 



Ideas to help the front runners: 

Plan but use flexibility. Leadership matters and Champions 

are needed 

Emphasis on the public service side of LLL. Involve the 

region. 

Not everybody can or should do it. Reward good 

performance. Parity of esteem – is it possible? 

Look into the University tool box. 



Where is Aveiro? Center 

of the world!

Center of the 

world? 

Perhaps Not! 



The Engaged OECD Conference University 

Southampton, Higher UK, Education 31 August in – Cities 1 September and Regions. 2011. 

The Context at National and Regional 

level 

Political and administrative: 5 + 2 regions, 18 districts. Little 

autonomy from central government. Ex: Education, Health 

and Justice. 

Demography: Total of 11 million residents. Region centre 

with 2.3 million of which 750 thousand are in the Aveiro 

district. 

Economy: The region centre represents 20% of the national 

GDP. Major sectors are tourism, ceramics, food, electronics & 

telecomunications, shoes, automobile parts and 

metalomechanics. SME’s mainly with a few multinationals 

and more than 98% of the firms having less than 10 workers. 

The Aveiro lagoon (Ria de Aveiro) is of great importance in 

the economy of the region. 

Higher Education: HE is binary system made of University 

(15 pub + 40 priv) and of Politechnic Education (20 pub + 61 

priv). In 2008-09 there were 373,002 students enrolled in HE 

(282,432 attending public institutions and 90,809 private 

ones). 1.6% of GDP was invested in HE (2009). 

PORTUGAL; AVEIRO

We can aford diversity within! 

The University of Aveiro (UA) founded in 

1973 is located between two of the most 

prestigious Portuguese universities, the 

eight hundred years old Coimbra 

University about 50 kilometres to the 

south of Aveiro and the University of Porto 

towards the North, at about 100 

kilometres. Hence, even with an 

expanding system as we had 37 years 

ago, the situation was not very promising. 

Now we are a well reputed university 

integrating university departments and 

polytechnic schools with excellent 

performance research wise and catering 

(2010/2011) for 14768 students. 

Açores 

Madeira 

Minho 

Porto 

Aveiro 

Coimbra 

Lisboa 

UTL 

UNL 

Aberta 

 

Évora 

Algarve 

UBI 

 

UTAD

University of Aveiro 

Total nº of registered students (2010/011): 14768 

University: 

Undergraduate (1 st Cycle): 4567 

integrated masters: 2431 

post-graduate (Msc, PhD) 3787 

Pol. Schools: 



Undergraduate (1 st cycle): 2424 

post-graduate (professional master): 304 

post. secondary: 1050 

Teaching Staff: 1000

What do we have in our tool box: 



• Matrix organisation and Strong centralised 

“tradition” 

• Bologna tools. (Not as much as we could!) 

• Diversity within. Pride in being as we are. 

• Cooperation with the region of long standing.

Strategic selection of scientific domains 

1970’s 

Telecommunications. 

Materials Science 

Teacher Training 

Environmental Sciences 

& Engineering. Regional 

Planning 

Biotechnology 

Biomedical Sciences 

Nanosciences 

Medicine (à la Imperial) 

Regional Impact 

CTT, PT… Telecom cluster 

Ceramics. Tiles, China and pottery 

Integration of migrants, LLL,… 

The Lagoon and the Coastal area. 

Tourism, sustainable devellopment, 

biodiversity…. 

Food 

etc

“Post-secondary Education” in Portugal 

Profession oriented programmes after completion of secondary 

education - Technological Specialisation Courses (CETs) 

Aim: promoting a training path that combines qualification and 

professional skills and competences with the possibility of 

proceeding to higher education 

Those successfully completing this type of training are awarded a 

level 4 vocational qualification certificate 

Delivered in partnership 



More Education to more people: 

Widening oportunities 

The Nacional Context: 

• older than 23 years (since 2006/2007) (local 

examination entry) 

• via Technological Specialisation Programmes – CETs, 

• Holders of a HE diploma. 



• Requalification programmes for nurses and primary 

school teachers. ( Short degree holders~2 years)

EDUCATION 

(Fighting unemployment; Retraining actives; integrating 

migrants) 

Leading the Change 

UA model incorporates University 

Departments and Polytechnic Schools (1st 

school in 1997). Strong support from the region. 

In 2003 the needs of the region in terms of 

qualification of the work force, were discussed. 

New legislation was passed and a programme 

aimed at post-secondary education was started 

under the leadership of the Rectorate; the 

programme is now run by the Polytechnic 

Schools. Strongly supported by the District and 

Municipalities. Difficult to get green light from 

the Senate. 

School of Design and Technology – ESAN. 

School of Technology and Management – 

ESTGA. School of Health – ESSA. Institute 

of Accountancy – ISCAA

CONCLUSIONS 

All Universities share the responsability to contribute in the 

process of dealing with the XXI century’s social challenges: 

The region where the university is located should feel the 

benefit of that action ( use the “Universty tool box” to do more 

for the bulk of the population). 

Contribute to the public understanding of science 

Educate sustainability aware citizens 

Informing public policies 

Glion Colloquium 2011 

Global Sustainability and the role of Universities. 

Leadership matters 

Not a single model of university. Segmented mission and 

clear vision

Light House

the University of Aveiro as a 

trigger for networking and a 

driving force for a learning region

Helena Nazaré - European University Association

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