The University Network for Postgraduate Studies and Permanent Education (RUEPEP) has started the nineteenth meeting at the Jaume I University of Castellón in which they will debate on the role of universities in permanent training for professional development and will analyze the progress made in the royal decrees on the creation of universities and the organization of degrees.

The meeting was opened by the rector of the UJI, Eva Alcón, accompanied by the regional secretary for Universities and Research, Carmen Beviá; the rector of the University of Cantabria and president of the CRUE-Teaching Sector Commission, Ángel Pazos; the president of the University Network for Postgraduate Studies and Permanent Education (RUEPEP), Cristina Sanz, and the vice-rector for Studies and Teaching of the UJI, Isabel García.

In the first intervention, Cristina Sanz, president of RUEPEP, pointed out the importance of the meeting, especially "due to the avalanche of new regulations" that require analysis and reflection on how to face the future and explained that the program being developed from November 17 to 19, 2021, it has interesting presentations and discussion topics.

The rector of the University of Cantabria, Ángel Pazos, highlighted the work of the universities in the field of permanent training and postgraduate studies, although he recalled that “universities face various challenges, such as regulatory, but especially that of how to face social demands ». In the opinion of the president of the CRUE-Teaching Sectorial Commission, "universities must play an active role in responding to the needs of citizens and society in this educational field."

For the regional secretary for Universities and Research, Carmen Beviá, the transformation of the knowledge society implies new jobs, different from the current ones, which will require the requalification of adults. In this scenario, she has commented, "the role of universities, and of the administrations that support them, is crucial because a wide range of programs must be offered that adapt to new needs and also to work and family schedules" .

Finally, the rector of the UJI, Eva Alcón, has indicated that, despite the fact that Spanish universities have a solid, coherent and qualified offer of permanent training in all areas, “we are facing multiple new challenges, such as digitization , the circular economy and sustainable development, climate change, aging or gender equality, among others, which will require greater leadership from universities ”.

For this reason, she explained, “the exercise of this leadership will require a deep adaptation of the university itself and greater flexibility in the normative processes. Especially with the approval of Royal Decree 822/2021, which explicitly orders for the first time the offer of own teachings and permanent training that will undoubtedly strengthen the offer of own university degrees ".

The meeting had more than a hundred registrations from Spanish universities and centers that offer postgraduate and permanent training. During it, three conferences are given, two round tables and a good practices workshop are held.

More information: https://ruepep2021castellon.com/