UNIVERSITY-WIDE SKILLS FRAMEWORK

Abstract

actions to make a difference in their careers and overall society. Hasselt University wants to meet these new challenges from its civic engagement. In order to tackle the challenges and to ensure that the students receive this new mindset during their education, they have decided to include these topics in the educational policy plan of the institution for the next period.

The topics are: civic, sustainable, diverse and inclusive, educational innovation. With these topics we want to distinguish ourselves from other educational institutions. (Note: in Belgium students have free entrance to higher education. They are free to choose between different universities for their education. Therefore, it is necessary to make a difference in the content and the approach of curricula).

Creation: The following process was followed to design a supported, bottom-up education policy plan: 1. Topics were defined based on the input of divers stakeholders 2. A leading group was composed for each topic, consisting of colleagues from central department of education as well as from the various faculties 3. For each topic, operational targets were introduced and presented to the educational council. Final approval lies with the board of directors. 4. The approach of implementation to curriculum design takes the peculiarities of each programme into account. The entire process is a collaboration between faculties and central departments.

Skills framework: In order to prepare students for these new challenges, a university wide skills framework is developed. This skills framework consists of 21st century skills and sustainability competences, which we want all our students to achieve, to make them “future-proof”. This skills framework is therefore closely linked to the new educational plan (see above). The aim of integrating the skills framework into the curriculum is precisely to make young people flexible and resilient in the complex world of tomorrow and make the skills meaningful in their own discipline. Implementation and support: In order to translate these central topics into education, various thematic professionalization sessions are organized. In this way, a common language is created in the institution, but also good practices from colleagues can be shared to inspire others.