Rector of the University of Rijeka, Prof. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, Ph.D., participated in the 4th European Education Summit: The Next Decade of European Education, held on Thursday, December 9, 2021, via an online platform.
After a challenging year, this year’s Summit focused on the future of education and training in the European Union, and participants from across the EU discussed ideas and best practices to search for answers to some of the burning questions:
- How can the education sector be improved to the benefit of all?
- How can education be made more inclusive and fair – from early childhood education and care to higher education and adult learning?
- How can the well-being of teachers and pupils be improved?
- How can smart investment lead to high-quality education and training?
- What can be done to progress the green and digital transformations of the sector?
The event was moderated by Chris Burns, broadcast and print journalist (Euronews, Bloomberg News, CNN, AP), and opening statements and speeches were delivered by distinguished speakers and highest-ranking representatives of the European Commission:
- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,
- Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, Promoting our European Way of Life,
- Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth,
- Simona Kustec, Minister for Education, Science, Youth and Sport, Slovenia,
- Sabine Verheyen, Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT).
Rector Prijić-Samaržija, as the only rector and representative of the European University YUFE, participated in the high-level panel focused on the European Strategy for Universities, which the Commission, under the umbrella of the European Education Area and the renewed European Research Area, is currently co-creating together with the broad higher education and research communities and EU Member States (foreseen for Commission adoption in January 2022).
The panelists discussed how to empower the higher education sector, especially after the unexpected effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to promote long-term structural transformations for inclusive and future-proof learning, teaching and research. The European Universities initiative and the new European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) pilot on Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education can play an instrumental role. The session also showcased Commission initiatives and best practices.