NUI, Galway is to hold an international conference on the future of university education. 'Critical Thinking: The Galway Symposium on the Future of Universities' aims to raise fundamental questions regarding the challenges and opportunities faced by universities and other providers of higher education in Ireland and beyond.

At this two-day event, a range of distinguished experts will deliver presentations on issues including higher education management and policy, globalisation, linking teaching and research and fostering civic engagement.

Dr Kelly Coate, Lecturer in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and conference convener at NUI, Galway, said the symposium would bring together key commentators on higher education in order to pose a fundamental question: What is the purpose of universities in the 21st Century?

"How is this purpose changing, and what are the drivers of change? Does the university as such have a distinctive role to play in society? We want to spark debates and raise some provocative questions, and we have chosen a diverse range of high-profile plenary speakers who will give contrasting perspectives."

The symposium will be opened by Michael Kelly, Chairman, of the Higher Education Authority Ireland, and Dr James Browne, President, NUI, Galway. In addition, there will be keynotes from Professor Mary Evans, Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics, and author of the book Killing Thinking: The Death of the Universities and Michael Shattock, author of the OECD Review of Higher Education in Ireland and the book Managing Successful Universities.

Dr Coate said some of the speakers would be quite critical of recent trends in higher education, whereas others would be advocating that certain changes are necessary. "Given that some of the speakers are at the forefront of implementing these changes, we think this will be a very good opportunity to hear what they have to say and put questions to them. Participants will also get the chance to discuss some of the key issues in higher education today through workshop sessions facilitated by experts in the field."

The symposium takes place on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 June. For further information or to book a place at this symposium, visit www.conference.ie.

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