Re-elected EAN chairman for fourth term

Professor Roger Ellul-Micallef, former Rector of the University of Malta, has been elected for an unprecedented fourth term as chairman of the European Access Network (EAN) at its annual general meeting, recently hosted by the Artistotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

EAN was launched in 1991 with EU support. It is the only independent, non-profit European organisation - but with an active international membership - which promotes equity and access to higher education and training for disadvantaged and under-represented groups.

Under-representation may be the result of a number of reasons, the most important being gender, ethnicity, nationality, disability, age, socio-economic status, geographical location, or earlier educational disadvantage.

The term 'access' extends beyond the simple notion of entry or admission to higher education but, equally important, includes the successful retention of and the completion of academic studies by these disadvantaged students, thereby leading to their stable and worthwhile employment. Underpinning the network is the clear recognition of the value of citizenship and equality of opportunity.

This year's annual conference had as this main theme "The social role of universities: reaching out to the community". In his message to the conference, Professor Ellul-Micallef said, among other things:

"Throughout the 19th and almost half of the 20th century the history of higher education in Europe is characterised by attempts at either closing down or restraining activities of universities. It is only well after the second world war that attempts were made to change institutions of higher education from elite educational centres, where privilege was perceived to be the order of the day, into mass educational universities and colleges.

"The last decades of the 20th century have shown a steadily increasing participation rate of 18 to 24-year-olds in university education. This was often spurred by politicians, who still seek a further increase in numbers. University attendance appears to be fast becoming a characteristic life-cycle experience just as formal primary education became obligatory in the 19th century and secondary schooling in the first decades of the 20th century. Participation rates in organised adult education programmes have also burgeoned.

"The roles of universities in this century extend well beyond the traditional creation and dissemination of knowledge to encompass those of entrepreneurship and innovation that are expected to yield more extensive social and economic benefits. Universities will continue to contribute significantly in developing and sustaining regional and national development resulting in marked social consequences. They will do this by effectively educating students to be knowledgeable, caring, creative, constructive members of a democratic society.

"It is now widely accepted that the economic property of a nation depends on a labour market consisting of as many individuals as possible possessing higher level capabilities. Universities are sometimes accused of not sufficiently fulfilling their social role, of not providing solutions or even an understanding of the great issues of society. Perhaps it is time that our universities are encouraged even more to institute an internal debate as to how make better use of their collective potential to the advantage of our society.

"We are living in a world that is continuously being threatened by poverty, war, terrorism, climate calamities, drugs and social conflict. The widening gulf between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots', a globalised economy and rapid technological changes all contribute to an unpredictable future.

"Undoubtedly education will continue to be a critical determinant of the future success not just of individuals but also of nations. The way ahead needs to be based simultaneously upon collaboration and competitiveness.

"Unfortunately, in all countries, there are still marked differences in access to higher education. Under-representation of lower socio-economic and of minority groups as well as of students with disabilities are still present, albeit to a different extent, in many countries. The social composition of higher education continues to reflect the advantages which accrue to people from higher socio-economic groups.

"The representation of disadvantaged students has lagged behind and should be a cause of public concern. An economically competitive country is one that maximises the education and training of all its human resources. This obviously means increasing the rate of participation in higher education across the whole social spectrum, particularly by disadvantaged students. The creation of a Europe of Knowledge will ultimately depend on this."

Following the meeting in Thessaloniki. Professor Ellul-Micallef proceeded to New York where he was the guest of Dr Arnold L. Mitchem, president of the US Council for Opportunity in Education, at its annual conference. Like EAN, the Council for Opportunity in Education strives to improve access to higher-quality education for low-income or disabled students and was this year celebrating its 25th anniversary.

At the conference, Professor Ellul-Micallef chaired the meeting on "Widening participation in higher education here and abroad".