UNICA – 4EU+ Alliance webinar: “Lifelong Learning Revisited: Can Universities and Alliances Become New Hubs for Reskilling and Upskilling?” | 3 June

On 3 June 2025, UNICA and the European University Alliance 4EU+ organised the third installment of their Joint Education Webinar Series, this time focusing on skills development. Under the title “Lifelong Learning Revisited: Can Universities and Alliances Become New Hubs for Reskilling and Upskilling?“, this webinar showcased successful strategies, case studies, and best practices from universities, university alliances and their business partners that have developed effective lifelong learning initiatives.

(Re)watch the webinar:

Through concrete examples, speakers shared insights into collaboration with industry, digital learning innovations, micro-credentials, and cross-institutional cooperation, highlighting how universities can remain competitive in the lifelong learning landscape.

Takeaways

  • Universities are being called upon to rethink their role and relevance in light of rapidly changing societal needs;
  • Universities must adapt their teaching and learning methodologies to remain impactful;
  • One of the areas where universities can best achieve transformative impact on boosting lifelong learning is the professional development of adult educators and adult learning professionals;
  • European Universities Alliances have huge potential to promote upskilling and reskilling: by providing links between different ecosystems in Europe, they can facilitate interinstitutional/ cross border cooperation;
  • The sector needs to reflect on and respond to the emerging diversity in student profiles, which differ significantly from the traditional one we had before: older learners, working professionals seeking to upskill or reskill, part-time and distance learners, etc.
  • Microcredentials are not just a tool, but an engine of transformation – it represents a major turn on the profile of learners;
  • Microcredentials are a strategic opportunity to make educational offer more responsive, flexible, and relevant.

About the topic

As highlighted in the European Commission’s Union of Skills initiative, universities are expected to play a key role in upskilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning. Universities and European Universities alliances are now stepping up to offer more flexible, high-quality programmes for working professionals and adult learners, moving beyond the traditional approach where employers primarily drove workforce training.

The “Union of Skills” initiative reinforces the need to rethinking curriculum design, teaching methods, and engagement strategies to serve a broader and more diverse community of learners.

It also challenges universities to strengthen their ties with industry, policymakers, and society at large, ensuring that the knowledge and skills they impart remain relevant, forward-looking, and inclusive.

Speakers & Moderators

  • Éva Farkas, Researcher, Scholar, International Expert in Adult Learning & Education, University of Szeged (speaker)
  • Jaroslav Pěnička, MC Specialist of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, Charles Universitry | 4EU+ Alliance (speaker)
  • Christian Tangkjær, Head of Continuous and Lifelong learning, University of Copenhagen, 4EU+ Alliance (speaker)
  • Romiță Iucu, President of the Board of Trustees of the University of Bucharest | Coordinator of the UNICA EduLAB Working Group | Co-Chair of FOR-EU Subgroup on European Degrees at CIVIS (moderator)
  • Laura Colò, Project Manager at 4EU+ Alliance

Target groups

  • University representatives (academic leaders, programme directors, heads of continuing education departments)
  • Lifelong learning and training providers
  • Policymakers and educational stakeholders
  • Members of university alliances and networks
  • Students and PhD candidates
  • Professionals and adult learners 
  • Researchers in higher education policy and innovation

Recordings of previous webinars:


UNICA – 4EU+ Alliance webinar: “Lifelong Learning Revisited: Can Universities and Alliances Become New Hubs for Reskilling and Upskilling?” | 3 June

3 June 2025

Online

UNICA & 4EU+

Contact

UNICA:

    • Maëlle Constantin, Project & Policy Officer: maelle.constantin@unica-network.eu

4EU+ alliance: