Two important European projects coordinated by eucen, MESHE and SAMUELE, were presented during the eucen Conference held in Cagliari on 03 June, providing participants with valuable insights into current developments in university lifelong learning across Europe.
Carme Royo presented the latest findings from the MESHE project, focusing on the experiences of learners engaging with micro-credentials. Drawing on the first results from the project’s questionnaire and learner focus groups, the presentation highlighted the structural, psychological, informational, access and cultural barriers that many learners face when considering enrolment in micro-credential programmes. The findings also revealed ongoing uncertainty among learners regarding the nature and purpose of micro-credentials, as well as questions about their value, recognition and relevance in the labour market, particularly from the perspective of employers.
The SAMUELE project was presented by Lyndsey El Amoud, who shared the evidence gathered through the project’s extensive data collection and analysis activities. The presentation explored the key findings that informed the project’s position paper on the governance of university lifelong learning (ULLL). Particular attention was given to the gap between policy expectations and institutional realities, highlighting the challenges universities face in embedding lifelong learning strategically within their governance structures while responding to evolving societal, economic and policy demands.
Together, the two presentations stimulated valuable discussion among conference participants and reinforced the importance of evidence-based approaches to strengthening lifelong learning opportunities and policies across Europe.
You can download the presentations here:
