February 2018 Research, Science and Knowledge

Read the articles selected in February 2018

Taking simplification of EU Funding to the next level

EU funding represents up to one-fifth of universities’ income structures and intersects diverse income streams at a regional and national level, linked with different sets of rules. Simplification improves the access to the European programmes and enhances the trust of citizens in the institutions.

See attached

OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics

Source: http://www.oecd.org

This study delivers a framework of definitions and methodologies that underlie the statistics and indicators developed in the time by the OECD and used as international standards for the collection of educational data and the comparison of education systems on the base of performances, practices, and resources.

“Grand challenges” reshape universities’ research agendas

by Rachael Pells

Source: Times Higher Education, 17 February

Twenty major higher education institutions in the US and Canada are leading grand challenge programmes, a strategy to make their research more attractive for popular support and public investments, promoting a synergy between science and industry while expanding knowledge with a fresh approach.

Knowledge diplomacy or knowledge divide?

By Jane Knight

Source: University World News, 16 February

International higher education plays today a key role in diplomatic relations, which can contribute as much to strengthening relations between countries in addressing global issues, as to a knowledge divide between peoples. In turn, international relations can enhance international higher education and research.

The public mostly trusts science. So why are scientists worried?

By Cat Jackson

Source: Science, 18 February

Surveys deny the emphasized decline of trust to science in the American society, only good for emphasizing the defensive rhetoric used sometimes in the scientific communication. Scientists have to share with simplicity not only their findings but also what they’ve learned and made their science valid.

Italian elections leave science out in the cold

By Alison Abbot

Source: Nature, 20 February

Italy’s already low R&D spending is in decline, and the gap between north and south in scientific achievement and investment is widening, feeding regionalist and populist sentiments. In the debates of the current electoral campaign, it seems that this disinterest will just continue irrespective of the vote outcome.

University leaders push for Europe-wide excellence initiative

By Ellie Bothwell

Fonte: Times Higher Education, 15 February

A new European excellence initiative will implement competitiveness in our universities through new funding at national and European level. The purpose of this new framework is to spread good practice in research assessment to spot strengthens and weaknesses of the national systems.

Energy transition and the future of energy research, innovation and education: an Action Agenda for European Universities.

Fonte: http://www.eua.be, December 2017

Energy is the fundament of economic growth. The availability of low-carbon infrastructures for all is the greatest challenge of sustainable development. Universities expertise is able to deliver cross-disciplinary approaches to find solutions that integrate a wide spectrum of technologies, systems, economies, and markets.

See attached

What about passion in education? The concept of passion, why it is important and how teachers can promote it

By Zuleica Ruiz-Alfonso, Lidia Santana Vega & Elina Vilar Beltran

Source: European Scientific Journal, January 2018

The factor of passion in educational contexts is a field of research as much recent as evident in its importance, from a psychological-motivational perspective, as an investment of time and energy in an activity and factor of scholastic productivity and can be transmitted by teachers through appropriate strategies.

See attached

Academic resilience

By Tommaso Agasisti, Francesco Avvisati, Francesca Borgonovi &Sergio Longobardi

Source: http://www.oecd.org/

This report analyzes the school characteristics that more contribute to strengthening the capacity of students to succeed in school despite their disadvantaged socio-economical background, together with the individual correlates and broader protective factors that help them to develop resilience.

“Sharp drop” expected in global student mobility growth

By Brendan O’Malley

Source: University World News, 9 February

Global student mobility is likely to slow in the next decade with the increased supply of domestic higher education in emerging and advancing economies, which will lead to a growth in local tertiary enrolments.

Mid-term evaluation of the Erasmus +programme (2014-2020)

Source: the European Commission

Erasmus+ turns out to be one of the most positive and visible successes of the EU, having instilled the perception that learning mobility brings benefits to individuals and that learning fosters a sense of belonging to Europe. The positive impact and the improved accessibility of the programme reverberate on youth policies.

See attached

Erasmus+ mid-term review: Eua’s recommendations for the 2020 programme

Source: http://www.eua.be

Erasmus + has boosted integration and innovation, and its importance for society and the economy in Europe requires to continue to improve the simplification and attractiveness through more user-friendly tools and procedures and more efficient funding.

See attached

AI is the future but universities must retain the values of the past

by Alice Gast

Source: Times Higher Education, 1 February

The role of AI in the future of learning is undeniable, but the proper task of education is to ensure the continuity of their core values in order that learning remains a deeply human activity and relation. The balance of continuity and change is the best approach to the production of knowledge.

Italian court pushes back on the race towards English

By Rosemary Salomone

Source: University World News, 3 February

A decision of Italy’s high administrative court raises a number of questions about the internationalization of university courses taught solely in English, which has given momentum to a backlash in Northern Europe. After the ruling, the Italian language is a fundamental element of cultural identity, essential to teaching and learning.

Indicators of successful transitions: Teenage attitudes and experiences related to the world of work

By Anthony Mann, Elnaz T. Kashefpakdel & Jordan Rehill

Source: http://www.oecd.org/

This report analyzes a set of indicators, such as the academic ability and the social background of the pupils, that are considered predicting their professional future, and can, therefore, be used to identify the most vulnerable categories requiring more care by the teachers.

See attached

Teaching for Global Competence in a Rapidly Changing World

By the Center for Global Education

Source: http://www.oecd.org, 22 January

In today’s classrooms is our future and the realization of the SDGs. This publication analyzes the implications of global competence for education and emphasizes the crucial role played by teachers in making the world a better place.

Learning and Teaching in Europe’s Universities: An EUA position paper

Source: http://www.eua.be, 29 January

Recognizing Learning and Teaching as a core mission and responsibility of higher education requires sufficient funding to promote innovation in the pedagogical work. Each university should have a clear profile, defined by institutional autonomy and context-sensitive programmes.

See attached

Lowering entry grades for poorest pupils “sets them up to fail”

By Rachael Pells

Source: Times Higher Education, 29 January

Lowering entry requirements in the most selective universities to facilitate the access of the most disadvantaged pupils risks to increase the dropout rates. Instead, it is rather the university dropout the measure for the democratization of the elite.

Bac le rattrapage

By Catherine Mallaval & Marie Piquemal

Source: Libération, 24 January

The new reform of the secondary diploma in France presents a new model of high school, with a distinction between compulsory and elective subjects, at risk of deepened social gaps, and a final exam based on a remarkable continuous control of students and geared toward their following orientation.

See attached

Socially isolated individuals are more prone to have newly diagnosed and prevalent type 2 diabetes mellitus – the Maastricht study-

By Stephanie Brinkhues etc.

Source: BMC Public Health, 19 December 2017

This study highlights the role of social networks and their single characteristics in the development of type 2 diabetes. Socially isolated or living alone individuals with the lack of emotional and practical support should be considered as high-risk groups in health care.

See attached

Info

Pubblicato il : 05/03/2018
Modificato il : 04/04/2019

February 2018 Research, Science and Knowledge

Info

Condividi

Allegati