Call for Papers - Deadline for Proposals 1 May 2009

Maastricht University is very pleased to host the Second International Conference on the European Labour Market for Academic Graduates:

‘Will Higher Education be ready for the European Labour Market?

Participation, Mobility, Competencies & Employability after the Bologna Process’

from October 22 to October 24, 2009.

The conference will focus on the expected effects of the implementation of the Bologna process, as well as the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs, on an emerging European labour market for higher education alumni in Europe.

The European countries taking part in the Bologna process are working hard to attain a system of European Higher Education, that is more compatible and comparable, more competitive and more attractive for Europeans and for students and scholars from other continents. Their priorities are the introduction of the three-cycle system (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate), quality assurance and recognition of qualifications and periods of study. The conference aims to address these issues, that affect higher education institutions, employers and international organizations in Europe.

We invite proposals on the themes of the conference from researchers, policy advisors, educationalists, recruiters as well as others with experience and interest in employing higher education alumni.

Proposals may take the form of conference papers, posters or workshops. The organizers of a workshop or a colloquium would be responsible for recruiting the speakers.

While priority is given to research-based contributions, other contributions are welcome too.

The conference themes are:

a) Higher education and the international labour market

Suggested topics: requirements for the Knowledge Society; developments in the participation in higher education; international student mobility; validation of international experience by employers; international mobility of knowledge workers and brain drain; labour market inflow of graduates and employment growth; significant roles of the higher educated in social and technical innovation, organizational learning, knowledge management and networking in firms; career perspectives and recruitment of higher educated by multinational companies and by small and medium sized businesses; self employment.

b) Design of bachelor and master studies, and PhD tracks

Suggested topics: designing new curricula; international student mobility for obtaining competencies; activating learning methods; continuing education; key skills; organizing and creating learning opportunities in firms; broad or specialized programmes?.

c) Institutional subjects

Suggested topics: quality standards; accreditation; benchmarking; transparency; institutional research: identification, reputation & ranking for providers and employers.

The official language of the conference is English. All proposals will be reviewed by the Conference Scientific Committee. Selected papers from the conference will later be published in the proceedings. 

Please note that full draft papers, which are preferred, as well as abstracts and other proposals can be submitted. Other proposals must be as clear as possible about the topic dealt with, the set up of the session and the persons involved, incl. their affiliation. Submitted papers has to be provided with a short abstract.     

The deadline for the sending of proposals for contributions is 1 May 2009. Decisions on their acceptance are taken before 1 June.

Proposals can only be submitted through the on-line proposal form

Questions can be addressed at the conference organizers at elm2009@fd.unimaas.nl
or contact Mr. Kim Willems at +31 (0) 43 388 5983

We look forward to seeing you in Maastricht,