As tech campuses increasingly populate the academic landscape and current economic realities demand job-ready graduates, are our universities moving away from the principles of a traditional liberal arts education, or are they adapting to the needs of the 21st century? Are these concepts mutually exclusive? The role of higher education in society, the employability of college graduates, and the commercialization of university research are just a few of the issues being discussed on a global level, particularly in North America and Germany.
Join Prof. Dieter Lenzen (President, University of Hamburg), Prof. Beate Schücking (President, University of Leipzig) and Dr. Nancy L. Zimpher (Chancellor, State University of New York) as they address the rapidly changing relationship between a traditional university education and the university degree as preparation for a career. Prof. Jeffrey M. Peck (Dean, Weissmann School of Arts and Sciences, Vice Provost for Global Strategies, Baruch College, City University of New York) will moderate the discussion, which is being organized with the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), the political and public voice of Germany’s higher education institutions.
A broad humanistic education has been the prerequisite of the success of the German university system since the early 19th century. Yet today, German university education is known to be topic-focused from the beginning. Prof. Dieter Lenzen, who is also HRK’s Vice President, will discuss how European universities need to provide a humanistic education through science. His talk will include how the Bologna Process, the study reform to create a common European higher education area, has transformed the discussion Germany about education and professional training.
Whereas higher education in Germany is more professionally-oriented, the liberal arts approach is uniquely American. With a strong emphasis on critical and ethical thinking as well as verbal and written communication skills, liberal arts programs are facing increased pressures. Dr. Nancy L. Zimpher, who serves as Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), will talk about how SUNY bridges the gap between education and employability.
Focusing on gender, life-long learning, and the internationalization of universities, Prof. Beate Schücking, will conclude the presentations. She is the first female president in Leipzig University’s history.
The discussion will take place on Wednesday, September 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the German House New York (871 United Nations Plaza, First Avenue, btw. 48th & 49th Streets). To RSVP by September 3, click here.
Follow @gcri_ny and the hashtag #highered for live tweets.
Unable to attend? A video recording will be available on www.germaninnovation.org shortly after the event.
