VETNET

Minutes of the VETNET Board Meeting, May 12^th; 2011 Institut Technik und Bildung, University of Bremen

From 14:40 until 17 hrs at the University of Bremen; ITB; Institut Technik und Bildung, Am Fallturm 1, Bremen

Present in Bremen:

Graham Attwell, Wales/ Bremen; Ludger Deitmer, Bremen, Michael Gessler, Bremen, Christof Naegele, Bern and Marg Malloch, London.

Connected via Flash Meeting:

Sabine Manning, Berlin; M’Hamed Dif, Strassbourg; Fernando Marhuenda, Valencia; Phillip Grollman, Bonn; Liliana Voicu, Bukarest; Marja-Leena Stenström; Jyväskyla; (Marja -Leena had to leave the meeting early due to technical problems.)

Apologies:

Martin Mulder, Vibe Aarkrog, Pekka Kämäräinen, Magdolna Benke, Jörg Markowitsch, Vidmantas Tutlys, Lorenz Lassnigg

The VETNET programme for ECER Berlin

Michael, the VETNET programme chair of this year, presented a draft version of the VETNET programme for ECER Berlin 2011. All papers were double blind reviewed by ca. 30 reviewers from around Europe; 110 papers were received and 95 were accepted for the conference.

There are five symposia this year. They will take place on the last day of the conference. Two research workshops are programmed. The programme of 2011 is dominated by paper sessions. The VETNET assembly in Berlin provides an opportunity to discuss this.

The  shorter review grid was seen more convenient than the longer version of the grid. The shorter grid is recommended for the future.

It was noted that the aspect of e-learning in VET is not strongly present this year and it may be considered how this research area (see the descriptor) can be strengthened for next conference.

All participants found that Michael Gessler developed a rather comprehensive and good programme which provides breadth and depth.

VETNET opening session

The Opening Session with title: “Future of VET - Crisis, Changes, Continuity?” will take place on  Tuesday the 13^th of September. This session is  scheduled for the time slot from 13.15 to 14.45.

The options for arranging the Opening Symposium were discussed by the participants. The emphasis was that the session should strongly stimulate discussion and interaction between participants.

The format: Four speakers from different European VET cultures (Denmark,  Lithuania, Germany; Spain) will  present very short opening statements (each person gets 5 minutes) on ‘the Future of VET’ in the context of the global changes and developments. Then the participants are invited to discuss the topic in small groups. The conclusions of the groups will be reported back to plenary session and the debate will be concluded by the panel of the invited speakers.

The Board believes that such a dialogue-oriented session can raise ideas for future research and development agendas in VET. Also in the proceedings this can be documented.

The one and a half hours time keeping of this session has to be kept strict. The session is to be chaired by Marg Malloch.

Proceedings

Papers are to be submitted on line by August 22^nd.  These can be considered for inclusion in a publication, a book project. Ludger Deitmer and Michael Gessler will prepare this book project and will keep the board informed.

Meetings within the Berlin Conference:

The Board Meeting which includes the election of the Link Convenor (the coordinator of VETNET) is to be held on Thursday 15^th September at 12.00 to 13.00. 

The Vetnet Assembly is to be held on Friday 16^th September, 13.30 – 14.30. The term of office of the Link Convenor is three years.

The VETNET dinner is on Wednesday evening, at the 14^th September, at 8.00 pm (20.00 hrs.) at the Restaurant Hubbel in the centre of Berlin. This session will be a joint event with quality assurance network. More details will be circulated. Michael and Ludger had a chance to test the Restaurant and found it good value for money.

Amendment of the Regulations of VETNET and  election of a new Convenor in September

A proposal by Graham Attwell on amending the regulation of VETNET was discussed. The proposal says that there should be an executive committee established. This new management model would assist in the building of a sustainable executive group for the VETNET Board.

The discussion resulted into a recommendation that VETNET shall establish an Executive Committee. The next assembly will have to decide on this proposal for amending the VETNET regulation by introducing an executive committee to the board.

The Executive Committee should consist by the running Convenor (in this case, to be elected at Berlin Board meeting), the outgoing Convenor (in this case the current link convenor; Ludger Deitmer), the Deputy Convenor (in this case, to be elected at Berlin Board meeting) and the Programme Chair from the country the ECER conference is situated next (in this case for next Spanish conference is nominated: Fernando Marhuenda, University of Valencia). The New Convenor and Deputy Convenor are elected for a time period of two years.

After some discussion the majority of the participants of this Board meeting accepted such a proposal.

The ECER conference in 2012 will be organised in Toledo, Spain.

Marg Malloch, London 

Ludger Deitmer, Bremen