The new year is just around the corner and with the arrival of 2011 comes a new slate of scintillating sessions sponsored by ACA. Our annual European Policy Seminar series opens on 21 January with the ever-popular What’s new in Brussels? Recent developments in European policies and programmes. As it does each year, this session will provide an excellent overview of what’s on the agenda of the European institutions involved in higher education issues and programming, as well as new trends and developments to watch across Europe more generally. The programme will feature representatives from several key Directorates General of the European Commission—such as Filip Van Depoele (DG Education and Culture) and Peter van der Hijden (DG Research)—as well as a number of other highly experienced individuals from various countries and institutional contexts. This always well-attended seminar offers fantastic networking opportunities and makes for a superb start to the new year.

In March, we’ll turn our attention to an exploration of developments in the so-called “BRIC countries” with Brazil, Russia, India, China. Key points on the European higher education compass? The goal of this session, to be held on 18 March 2011 is to provide participants with clear insight into trends in the higher education systems of these rapidly developing countries and what they aspire to in terms of higher education engagement with Europe. An assessment of real opportunities and challenges vis à vis the “BRICS” will also be on the agenda. More information on this seminar will soon be forthcoming. Stay tuned and please consider joining us for one or more of these outstanding events.

ACA Events 2011