Expectations from modern education and universities: need for lifelong learning and academic education

The change in society (demography, life expectancy, cultural norms and values, mobility), economy and technology is taking place with increasing speed. This results in a variety of new requirements for education and for the training of workers. Universities and higher schools have a special duty to respond adequately and to develop suitable training and further education concepts. Due to increasing mobility, globalization and internationalization, flows of goods and services have increased enormously. Cultural exchange and international contacts additionally require - in addition to the above mentioned changed framework conditions - a broadly-educated population as well as opportunities for continuing education and training, including at an academic level. The developments mentioned require international, intercultural and interdisciplinary cooperation in order to be able to solve current and future issues and problems (for example, energy supply, environmental protection) together. Universities and higher schools must provide adequate solutions to these issues in the form of subject-specific, cultural, linguistic and interdisciplinary educational offers as well as research projects.