Harnessing Professional Higher Education for Competitiveness and Cohesion

ongoing

Harnessing Professional Higher Education for Competitiveness and Cohesion (PHE4C2) aims to inspire, motivate, and mobilise the higher education sector to increase the competitiveness of the European economy, including through the diversity of its societies and territories. By supporting and contributing to the Union of Skills, EURASHE will work with members and partners on the labour market relevance of curricula, including entrepreneurial competences and sector specific skills. In the field of research and innovation, EURASHE will disseminate good practices of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) working with industry to apply new technologies across the economy, which according to the Competitive Compass is required to reduce the productivity gap. EURASHE believes that talent is everywhere, but opportunities are not. Building a competitive Europe will take place through and not despite core EU values, including the equality of opportunity for all groups in society and in all cities and regions. This is why the thematic focus on competitiveness will be championed through a renewed push for social and territorial cohesion. PHE4C2 builds on more than three decades of experience and growth of EURASHE, the European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education. As a consultative member of the Bologna Follow Group (European Higher Education Area – EHEA), and a stakeholder in the European Education and Research Areas, EURASHE acts as an interface between more than 600 HEIs and the European Institutions. Through the presence of members in more than 25 EHEA countries, PHE4C2 will also help to advance reforms at national level, which is necessary for the success of EU priorities. PHE4C2 will be implemented with all the tools at hand in EURASHE, including its governance bodies, its Communities of Practice, Connect Platform, communication channels and events. An ambitious action plan is presented with indicators and targets that are achievable and impactful.