To face today's challenges of demographic change and demand of
high-level skills, universities have to leave their ivory tower, comments Oscar Valiente, OECD consultant.
Barriers between vocational and academic studies needed to be
overcome.
"A very good example of this is the area of lifelong learning.
Lifelong learning does not fit well with a system based on barriers
and divisions. Learners need to move from one sector to another in
different moments of their life and tertiary education systems
don't always allow that," stated Valiente.
Greater collaboration of vocational and academic
institutions
Currently, the OECD/IMHE is working out a report called
"Collaboration between Vocational and University Education:
Building Partnerships for Regional Development". In it, the OECD
adresses a number of best practices that enhance collaboration
between universities and universities of applied sciences.
Valiente sees especially great potential in the prospect of
bringing together universities and businesses to give students the
skills required on the labor market."Vocational and the university
sectors can collaborate through updating and upgrading workers'
skills in firms, sharing business links for apprenticeships and
internships, establishing dual programmes with the business
sector."