From earth to heaven: formats to allow adult learners to combine working, living and learning

Abstract

In a world of increasing complexity and rapid technological development, the interplay between Europe’s goals of economic growth and social well-being, on the one hand, and academic expertise, on the other, is essential. It is an area where continuing education, innovation and research should come together to address the global challenges of our time. Adult learners, such as engineers working at companies or governmental agencies, have already gained a wealth of practical experience that can be built upon and used as a foundation to learn more to contribute to the innovation capacity of the organisation at which they work. A relevant educational programme at a university is an opportunity for further development and a way to gain important new insights. For the university, the flow of academic expertise gained from research is accelerated into practical application. With these continuing educational programmes they are satisfying their knowledge valorisation goals and are ensuring access to resources and real-life cases. The main benefits for companies are a head start on fellow companies, motivated and sustainable deployable employees (World Economic Forum, 2017) and a structural link with a research community.