WORKSHOP LEADER
Sherryl D. Weems, Ed.D.
Associate Vice Provost, Continuing and Professional Studies
Executive Director, Educational Opportunity Center
University at Buffalo
The workshop series International Dialogue on Education Berlin is a joint initiative of the British Council Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service, the German-American Fulbright Commission, the Australian Group of Eight and the Canadian Bureau for International Education in Berlin.
Through the contributions of international participants the series aims to enrich the debate on science, research and higher education policy in Germany, to place German perspectives in a global context and to learn from positive examples from other countries.
Workshop 4 - USA
Building a Renewed Community of Practice in the Academy: "Embracing the Challenge"
Life-style changes and the growing influence of a knowledge economy have challenged the mission of public systems of higher education in America. Additionally, the emerging student demographic, which represents a fast growing and highly aggressive constituent community inclusive of adults, educators and, employers has heightened the intensity of the challenge. This shift has expanded the expectation of the role of the academy from educational providers, to deliverers of professional workforce training and lifelong learning that focuses on - satisfying the human need for fundamental sustenance and competiveness, building the knowledge economy, advancing economic development and promoting global competency.
To embrace this challenge, the response must reflect: fully integrated partnerships between the university, business and the community; comprehensive educational and job training services that extend throughout a lifetime; teaching and teaching core paradigm shifts; customized, responsive curriculum; employment preparation and job placement assistance for the entry level, incumbent and transitional workforce; services to employers; and resource leveraging.
Such a system requires the ability to enable and promote integrated life-long learning; achieve balances between university mission and market demands; and, identify prerequisites that facilitate the sustenance of continuing and lifelong learning in the academy. This presentation will explore enacted strategies inspired by these observations.
