Transcript Maria-Helena Nazaré

Global Challenges, Cities and
Universities.
25th Magna Carta Universitatum Conference.
Bologna, Italy. 19, 20 September, 2013.
Maria Helena Nazaré
Former Rector Universidade de Aveiro,
Portugal. EUA President
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Global Challenges: Climate Change (sea level rise,
extreme weather..), Depletion of Natural Resources (water,
fossil
fuel..),
Migrations,
Unbalanced
Demographics,
enlarging disparity in social and economic opportunities
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Cities: Coastal cities. Sea level, Human concentration,
migrants.
•
Universities as part of the solution. Contributing to the
public understanding of Science and informing
public policies. Examples from a University in a coastal
City.
Sea level rise -- Coastal cities
Heat waves and
Drought.
Luxury hotel side by side with
life in the Favelas
Assets
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Educate
citizens, train knowledge workers and
researchers
Diverse missions in basic and collaborative research
Interdisciplinary research skills and expertise
Embeddedness in cities and regions as components of
social and economic development
Focal points for dialogue and knowledge exchange with
society
International cooperation building upon institutional
historical and cultural links – strengths and capacities
Education
Broaden participation in higher education to build a
competitive workforce. Internationalize at undergraduate and
pos graduate level. Welcome migrants.
Plan the offer: at regional and national level but also across
border.
Continuing and Life Long. Integrate minorities and help
build intergenerational bridges.
New modes of delivery. Flexible learning pathways.
Entrepreneurship. Quality Assurance.
Research. Collaboration and
Competition
Multi and Inter disciplinary. Change Structures. Abolish
barriers among disciplines. Behavioral sciences are
important.
Pool resources, (joint brains, joint funds, go across
borders, joint business and hire the best).
Open Access to Data and Science!
Use league Tables in a smart way! To drive policies. Not to
be lead by them!
Playing the global game locally
The region where the university is located should
feel the benefice of it’s action, economically,
socially and culturally. Is not incompatible with
scoring high on the rankings and league tables.
 Not a single model of university.
mission and clear vision are
sustainability. Leadership matters.
Segmented
pillars for
A University in a coastal
City.
(Informing Public Policy)
The City.
Ria de Aveiro. (45 Km long, 11Km wide)
Coastal Erosion
Guidelines rebuilding primary coastal
dunes, revitalization of the urban
waterfront in the coastal lagoon.
Traditional activities: Fishing ….
Quality of water.
Wetlands.
Conservation strategies of the natural habitat.
Industrial environment
Qulity of the air. Membership of the technical committees in suport of
normative action relative to air quality and control of atmospheric
polutants.
Salt Marshes; Flor do Sal
Valorisation of resources.
Healthy Flamingos
All Universities share the responsability to contribute to the process of
dealing with the XXI Societal Challenges:
 Contribute to the public understanding of Science and inform public
policies
 Educate sustainability-aware citizens and train ethically-bound
professionals
 The region where the university is located should feel the benefice
of that action, economically, socially and culturally. Is not incompatible
with scoring high on the rankings and league tables.
 Not a single model of university. Segmented mission and clear
vision are pillars for sustainability. Leadership matters.
References:
Climate Change: Impacts, vulnerabilities band adaptation in
developing countries. United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change.
Climate Change costs. Allianz Knowledge.
http://knowledge.allianz.com/climate/agenda/?716/global-warmingclimate-change-costs
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/05/climate-changeagriculture/
http://unfcc.int/resource/docs/publications/impacts.pdf