Approximately 100 participants from over 20 countries converged on the Club de la Fondation Universitaire in Brussels on 21 January for ACA’s signature start-of-the-year event, What’s new in Brussels? Recent developments in European Policies and Programmes. The sell-out crowd was treated to eight highly informative presentations focused mostly, but not exclusively, on the higher education initiatives emanating from various European Union agencies and organisations.

Topics of the day included two of the EU’s new “flagship initiatives”, Youth on the Move and Innovation Union. Developments within the Erasmus programme were another subject of discussion. This was examined not only from the perspective of the European Commission itself but also from the point of view of the European Students’ Union, as well as a CHEPS-led study on increasing participation in the popular student mobility programme. Participants were also provided insights into current considerations and future orientations (real and potential) of Erasmus Mundus and the researcher-oriented Marie Curie Actions. The results of a recent Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation pilot project to assess internationalisation within specific academic programmes – which will soon be tested out at a broader European level – rounded out the day’s agenda. The ACA Secretariat is enormously grateful to the outstanding roster of speakers who shared their time and expertise with the assembled crowd, and to the participants whose questions and comments added depth and substance to the proceedings.

ACA’s European Policy Seminar series presents its second instalment of 2011 on 18 March with Brazil, Russia, India, China. Key points on the European higher education compass? The event promises to deliver yet another engaging day of information and analysis for European higher education stakeholders keen to learn more about these four fascinating countries. Registrations are advancing apace, so interested participants are encouraged to act quickly to reserve their place in Brussels for this enlightening event.

ACA events 2011