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  • ABOUT US

    MISSION

    The mission of World University Consortium is to evolve and promote development of accessible, affordable, quality higher education worldwide based on a human-centered approach that shifts the emphasis from specialized expertise to contextualized knowledge within a trans-disciplinary conceptual framework reflecting the complexity and integration of the real world, from teaching mastery of a field of knowledge to learning that enhances the capacity of students to think and discover knowledge for themselves, from theoretical mastery to acquisition of knowledge, skills and values relevant to each individual’s personal development and career – an educational system better suited to develop the full potentials of social personality and individuality for productive engagement, social welfare and psychological well-being.

     

    OBJECTIVES

    The Consortium will strive to -

    • Identify global best practices and develop effective global models and strategies to improve accessibility, affordability, quality, innovation and relevance in higher education appropriate to the needs of the 21st century.
    • Develop innovative, open learning systems and more effective models that extend the reach of quality higher education to people of all age groups globally.
    • Explore new models of online and hybrid delivery systems designed to facilitate learning through teacher-student and student-student interaction.
    • Enhance the learning process through research, development and application of advanced instruments for measurement and evaluation of educational processes.
    • Promote person-centered approaches that emphasize self-guided learning, critical and original thinking, inspirational forms of instruction, learning to learn, trans-disciplinary contextualized perspectives, learning by teaching and sharing with others, edutainment and experiential learning.
    • Develop transcultural and culture-specific methods and content reflecting universal human values.
    • Create a worldwide forum where all the stakeholders can meet, interact and create new networks, partnerships and projects.

    ACTIVITIES

    In fulfillment of its mission and objectives, the Consortium may undertake some or all of the following activities:

    • Develop an Internet portal on global higher education to provide information and examples of latest developments and best practices in the field of higher education with emphasis on online and hybrid learning models.
    • Conduct international conferences to promote new ideas and innovative practices to improve learning in the field of higher education.
    • Establish an online World Virtual University (WVU) system in collaboration with partnering organizations to offer new forms of learning, new types of courses, and new methods for interaction, assessment and certification.
    • Develop innovative contextualized foundation courses in various subjects that overcome the limitations of fragmented, specialized disciplines prevalent today and, possibly, to also develop a new trans-disciplinary field to study global challenges and opportunities from new perspectives.
    • Develop innovative types of courses intended to fill in gaps in the present curriculum and address pressing social needs, such as leadership, human security, multilateralism, global rule of law, ecology, new economy, intercultural communication and diplomacy, sociology of knowledge, community health and psychology, person-centered relations and interpersonal communications, processes of social change and individuals as agents of social change.
    • Provide a platform for WAAS Fellows and other individuals and organizations to develop and offer courses providing new perspectives on global issues.
    • Create a clearing house where all the stakeholders can post or find all materials and information on education and the protection and promotion of human capital.
    • Conduct research on alternative approaches to develop active learning, original thinking, universal values, creativity and individuation in the students.
    • Develop, test and promote multi-lingual learning platforms.
    • Develop criteria for evaluating online courses and establish an effective evaluation service for online courses.
    • Develop and apply research tools and methods in the field of higher education.
    • Provide a platform for retired teachers and other retirees to offer their knowledge and expertise to students through formal courses, counseling and mentoring.
    • Develop courses specifically designed to impart the knowledge and skills needed to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment and full-employment.
    • Provide a platform for experts and experienced professionals in every field to share their knowledge, skills and experience as mentors to students who are yet to enter the workforce.
    • Develop inventories and measures of work-related competencies.
    • Promote learning communities for acquisition and exchange of vocational knowledge, skills and competencies and for testing, certification and marketing of knowledge and vocational skills.

    REGISTERED OFFICE

    World University Consortium has its Registered Office at

    4225 Solano Avenue, Suite 631,
    Napa, CA 94558,
    USA.




     

  • EVENTS

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    6th International Conference on Future Education - Education for Human Security - March 7-9, 2023, Online Meeting

    It is widely recognized that reform in the educational system is urgently needed to address the pressing challenges confronting humanity. Reform needs to encompass changes in pedagogy, knowledge-content and delivery systems. The 2021 UNESCO report ‘Reimagining our Futures Together‘ calls for a new social contract for education that is holistic and student-centred, emphasizes transdisciplinary learning, and is organized around the principles of cooperation and collaboration. The work of the United Nations on human security stresses the need for an integrated, human-centered, conception of knowledge relevant and applicable to promote peace, human rights, human security and sustainable development for all. There is also an urgent need to develop accessible, affordable, world-class delivery systems capable of making this knowledge available to all who seek it. Click here for more information

    RECENT EVENTS & CONFERENCES

    Date Place Event Description
    Dec 6-8, 2021 Online Meeting 5th International Conference of Future Education
    Nov 11-13, 2019 Belgrade 4th International Conference of Future Education
    May 16-19, 2019 Podgorica APPROACHING 20?? YEAR
    Nov 22-24, 2018 IUC, Dubrovnik Global Governance: Challenges & Opportunities
    Nov 12-14, 2018 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Third International Conference on Future Education
    Nov 7-9, 2018 St. Augustine, FL Roundtable on the Future of Democracy: Challenges & Opportunities
    Nov 5-6, 2018 Washington, DC Roundtable on Governance & Law: Challenges & Opportunities
    May 2-4, 2018 Paris, France XV International Colloquium
    Nov 16-18, 2017 Rome, Italy Conference on Future Education
    Nov 6-9, 2017 IUC, Dubrovnik Mind, Thinking & Creativity
    Sep 11-15, 2017 Lüneburg, Germany Future of the University, Intrepid-Cost Workshop
    May 10-12, 2017 Capetown, South Africa XIV International Colloquium
    Apr 6-8, 2017 Trento, Italy Anticipation, Agency and Complexity
    Sep 22-23, 2016 Seoul, Korea New Paradigm and Planetary Engagement
    May 19-20, 2016 Podgorica, Montenegro Technology + Society =? Future
    May 11-13, 2016 Lisbon, Portugal XIII International Colloquium
    Oct 14, 2015 Davos, Switzerland Transformative Future Education
    May 20-22,2015 Gainesville, FL, USA Visions of Sustainable Development
    May 13-15, 2015 Orange County, CA, USA Global Game Changers
    Apr 29-30, 2015 Baku, Azerbaijan Need for New Paradigm
    Apr 25, 2015 Kiev, Ukraine Need for the New World Paradigm
    November 5-7, 2014 Almaty, Kazakhstan New Paradigm in Human Development
    October 13-14, 2014 Oxford, United Kingdom Oxford Summit of Leaders
    June 26-27, 2014 Moscow, Russia Prospects for Ecological Education for Sustainable Development
    June 12-13, 2014 Florence, Italy Future of Education
    June 11-14, 2014 Yokohama, Japan Creating The Future of Higher Education-IAUP
    April 7-9, 2014 Alexandria, Egypt BioVision-Library of Alexandria
    February 12-14, 2014 Alexandria, Egypt Meeting of Charter Members-Library of Alexandria
    October 2-3, 2013 UC Berkeley, CA, USA Forum on Global Higher Education

    RECENT WEBINARS

    Mind, Thinking & Creativity - March 9, 2016

    WAAS and WUC conducted a webinar on March 9, 2016 in preparation for the upcoming course on Mind, Thinking and Creativity at IUC Dubrovnik on April 12-15. Click here for more information

    Future of Education - June 26, 2015

    The webinar examined critical issues in higher education today and identified core strategies that can be adopted to close the gap between humanity’s past experience and its future needs. Click here for more information

    Essence of Leadership - February 16, 2015

    The webinar explored key characteristics common to effective leaders in business, politics, civil society, science, arts, professions and education and methods by which these characteristics can be consciously developed by individuals. Click here for more information

  • COURSES

    UPCOMING COURSES

    Global Governance: Challenges & Opportunities - Recent Course

    The world we live in presents challenges and opportunities beyond the capacity of even the strongest, most developed nation or group of nations to effectively address without working in concert with the rest of humanity

     

    READ MORE

    Future of Democracy: Challenges & Opportunities - Recent Course

    Democracy is under siege. Traditional bastions of liberal democracy are faltering. Young democracies are reverting to their authoritarian pasts. Populism, corporatization of the media, fake news, retreat from globalism, oligarchy, corruption and other perils are undermining fairness, effectiveness and truthfulness. Just when it appeared that the world was converging on a universal set of values and standards for governance at the national and international level, fundamental questions are being raised regarding the viability and sustainability of democratic institutions. Recent events raise fundamental questions regarding the institutions of governance and also about the underlying social, psychological, cultural and evolutionary processes that determine how these institutions function.

    Is democracy in its current form really the most viable and effective system of governance? Are human beings sufficiently rational and selfless to govern themselves justly and effectively? Is the future of democracy at the national level compatible with the persistence of non-democratic institutions at the international level? By what process has the distribution of social power shifted from army, monarchy, aristocracy to democracy and how is that process likely to evolve further in future? To what extent are the institutional problems confronting democracy today reflections of underlying social, psychological and cultural factors and processes? What proven and potential safeguards and remedies are available to address the failures and insufficiencies of contemporary democracies? Is democracy the best possible system or merely a stage in the evolution of governance toward something more stable, an effective and equitable system?

     

    READ MORE

    Mind, Thinking & Creativity - Recent Course

    Mind is humanity's highest developed instrument for seeking knowledge. It is the master tool that we use to comprehend the present, remember the past, and anticipate and plan for the future. From the act of striking two flints together to create fire to combining strings of 1s and 0s to design the code for supercomputers, mind has enabled humanity to create remarkable technologies and organized global institutions. The mind is the unifying foundation on which humanity’s entire social evolution is based. To understand this vital instrument better, the World Academy of Art & Science and World University Consortium have launched a ground-breaking project to explore Mind, Thinking and Creativity. A greater understanding of the nature of mind, its ways of knowing, the limits to thinking and rationality, mind's untapped potential, the workings of creativity and genius are essential for addressing the challenges confronting humanity today.

    In April 2016 WAAS and WUC, along with partnering organizations IACP, IUC, DHUC, and MSS organized a four-day roundtable on Mind, Thinking and Creativity 2016 at Dubrovnik, Croatia for to explore fundamental questions. The meeting was attended by experts from different fields of natural and social science, including medicine, neuroscience, engineering, psychology, sociology, economics, law, and philosophy. Video recordings, presentations and papers for the roundtable are available here. The enthusiastic interest generated by the Dubrovnik meeting spurred efforts of WAAS and the World University Consortium to commence work on a on-line course on this subject which is now underway. A report on last year's meeting including videos and presentations was included in the Academy's July 2016 newsletter.

    Roundtable 2 -- November 2017 at Dubrovnik

    The second roundtable on Mind, Thinking & Creativity is being conducted by the World University Consortium, the World Academy of Art & Science, the Mother's Service Society, Person-Centered Approach Institute, Dag Hammarskjöld University College of International Relations and Diplomacy and the Inter-University Centre from November 6-8, 2017 at Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

     

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    Human-Centered Economics - Recent Course

    A Post-Graduate Certificate Course in Human-Centered Economics will be conducted by the World Academy of Art & Science, the World University Consortium, The Mother's Service Society, Person-Centered Approach Institute, Dag Hammarskjöld University College of International Relations and Diplomacy and Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia from Feb 1-Feb 3,2017 at Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

    The multidimensional challenges confronting humanity today are human-made and can be changed by a change in thought and action. Contemporary economic thought is built on a mind-frame that originated prior to the Industrial Revolution when scarcity of goods in a world of abundant resources was the primary concern, economic growth was considered synonymous with human welfare, and impact of humanity on the environment was completely ignored. Without challenging obvious flaws in existing theory, it will be not be possible to significantly alter current policies and practices.

    The overall aim of the course is to (a) demonstrate why mainstream neo-classical economic theory is inappropriate for dealing with the global challenges of the c.21st, and (b) explore alternative approaches for achieving ecologically sustainable, human-centered development and welfare for all.

    This course will present the findings of a five year research program of the World Academy of Art & Science and the on-going work of the New Economic Theory working group. It will harness the best available ideas and practices on human-centred, sustainable economy to create informative, authoritative and compelling educational and communication tools with the power to challenge and alter university level education in Economics, public policy, business decisions, media coverage and general public opinion regarding how the world economy should and can work for the betterment of all humanity.

     

    READ MORE

    Social Power - Recent Course

    A Post-Graduate Certificate Course in Social Power will be conducted by the World Academy of Art & Science, the World University Consortium, The Mother's Service Society, Person-Centered Approach Institute, Dag Hammarskjöld University College of International Relations and Diplomacy and Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia from Oct 31-Nov 2, 2016 at Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

    Humanity lives in a time of unprecedented capacity for accomplishment in every field of social life. Never before have we possessed power of this magnitude for good or for evil. Never before has power been so widely distributed within society. Democracy, law, human rights, science, technology, education and many other forms of social organization have generated immense power. Society governs the possession and exercise of this power through formal structures and institutions, such as law and human rights, as well as through both legitimate and extra-legal informal mechanisms including status, wealth, popularity, political influence and corruption. The distribution of power in its various forms powerfully impacts on the functioning of the economy, political system, educational, scientific, religious and and other social institutions, and on the overall productivity, strength, integrity, harmony and welfare of society. This transdisciplinary course will explore the sources, expressions, determinants and consequences of the creation, distribution and exercise of social power in its various expressions in politics, economy, society and culture and its consequences for the evolution of society as a whole.

     

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    Mind, Thinking & Creativity - Recent Course

    Mind is humanity’s highest developed instrument for seeking knowledge. It is an instrument with remarkable capabilities and characteristic limitations. It is ironic that we invest so little time in education and scientific endeavor trying to understand the nature of mental knowledge and the character of the mental processes by which we arrive at it. The objective of this course is to arrive at an understanding of the inherent limits to rationality and mental ways of knowing, as well as the extraordinary creative and intuitive processes by which mind transcends those limitations and tends toward genius.

    Thinking is the activity by which mind associates, organizes, coordinates and integrates information, thoughts and ideas. Creative thinking is the process by which mind extends the boundaries of existing thought and knowledge to connect, reconcile and unify previously unconnected or contradictory perspectives. This course will explore the characteristics of mental knowledge and thought processes, types of thinking, the character of rational thought, the mental and social construction of knowledge, deep thinking, creativity and genius. Rather than focus on abstract philosophical concepts, it will apply this knowledge to understand both the sources of humanity’s prolific mental creativity, the characteristic problems it confronts due to irresolvable conflicts and contradictions between mental perspectives, and their resolution in different fields of natural and social science, public policy, collective and individual behavior.

     

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    Future Education - Recent Course

    A Post-Graduate Certificate Course in Future Education was conducted by the World Academy of Art & Science, the World University Consortium, The Mother's Service Society, Person-Centered Approach Institute, Dag Hammarskjöld University College of International Relations and Diplomacy and Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia from September 21-23, 2015 at Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

    Education is our best hope for a better future. Emergence of a new paradigm in education can radically abridge the time required for humanity to address critical issues related to economy, governance, ecology and life-style. Education is the best known instrument for ensuring universal human rights, promoting democracy, enhancing productivity and protecting the environment.There is urgent need to evolve a new paradigm in education appropriate to the needs of the 21st century. Closing the gap between social needs and educational capabilities is essential for addressing pressing challenges confronting humanity today. A review of education today makes evident that there is enormous scope for improving and developing the educational system. Whatever its current limitations in terms of inadequate coverage, quality and content, the means and potential exist for dramatically enhancing humanity’s individual and collective performance in virtually all spheres of our social existence by realistic, achievable improvements in education. We need a new paradigm in education capable of more fully and effectively developing the latent capacities of our youth.

     

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    Essence of Effective Leadership - Recent Course

    A Post-Graduate Certificate Course in Essence of Effective Leadership was conducted by the World Academy of Art & Science, the World University Consortium, The Mother's Service Society, Person-Centered Approach Institute, Dag Hammarskjöld University College of International Relations and Diplomacy and Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia from March 31 to April 3, 2015 at Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

    This course explored the characteristics common to leaders in business, politics, civil society, science, arts, professions and education and examined methods by which these characteristics can be consciously developed by individuals. The presentations consist of theory, practical strategies, and a wide range of examples drawn from biography, history, management, and literature from movies illustrating the principles under discussion. Apart from the presentations, our faculty interacted with participants to bring home the theoretical significance and practical relevance of the material.

     

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    Individual Accomplishment, Growth & the Character of Life in Management, History, Literature, and Psychology - Recent Course

    The Individual is the catalyst of all social progress, the source of creativity, innovation, new ideas and new initiatives. The individual is the genetic source of human diversity. The entrepreneur, inventor, social reformer, revolutionary leader, original thinker and creative artist are a few of individuality's expressions. Yet how little we understand about the characteristics of true individuality, the ways in which it expresses, the means for developing it, and the means for realizing real individuality in one’s own life.

    History demonstrates that individuals have the power to change the world. This course explored the relationship between personality and accomplishment. It examined the role of Individuality and Values in personal achievement, growth of personality and social progress drawing on evidence from Management Science, History, Psychology and Literature. It explored the relationship between creative individuals and society searching for insights into the principles and process that govern successful human initiatives and their consequences in various fields of life.

    The course was intended for both students and practitioners in all fields interested in advancing theoretical understanding and practical approaches to promote the development of entrepreneurship, individuality, creativity, original thinking and other forms of social innovation. It explored the role of the individual in development of society, elucidated the characteristics of true individuals, the source of their amazing power for accomplishment and the process by which they act as catalysts of social innovation. While the presentation was academic, the objective was to impart original insights and practical knowledge for personal growth and individuation.

     

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    Toward a Trans-disciplinary Science of Society - Recent Course

    Today humanity is confronted by a plethora of serious challenges – political, economic, legal, social, cultural, psychological and ecological. These challenges are complex, interrelated, and global in reach. They are a reflection of the inadequacy of current institutions and policies and at a deeper level the inadequacy of current knowledge. They defy comprehension and resolution based on the prevailing principles of social science. The specialized knowledge developed by separate disciplines is inadequate to deal with the increasingly complex interdependencies of the real world. Knowledge needs to evolve to keep pace with the evolution of society.

    The evolution of a complex, highly integrated global society necessitates the development of a more comprehensive and integrated science of society. The division into various specialized fields has been a useful mental strategy for the development of the social sciences, leading to significant advances in all fields – knowledge which needs to be preserved and enhanced by future developments. Yet it is increasingly evident that a more comprehensive and integrated approach is now required. As society evolves, its different functions develop greater complexity. At the same time they become more closely and complexly interlinked and interdependent on one another. Economy today is highly dependent on the political system and laws governing the distribution and enforcement of power in society, legal concepts regarding ownership of property and human rights, public institutions responsible for the creation and management of money, rules for commerce between nations, public policies influencing income and wealth distribution, processes that determine collective decision-making, public investment in education and training, and social expectations regarding economy and the future, etc. A recent announcement by the White House of an ‘intention’ to examine measures to discourage shifting of US firms to tax havens overseas resulted in a 10% fall in market value for several large firms.

     

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  • THEMES

    THEMES

    GENERAL CONTENT GOALS ONLINE METHODS
    What is Education Quality Accessibility Online Education Interactivity
    Role of Education Creativity Affordability MOOCs Evaluation
    Life-long Learning Individuality Employability Open Ed Resource Accreditation
    Future of Education Leadership Relevance Multi-language Pioneering Initiatives
      Values Sustainability    
      Thinking      
  • NEWS
  • NEWSLETTERS

    NEWSLETTERS

  • JOURNAL

    CADMUS JOURNAL

    Education Section

  • RESOURCES

    PUBLICATIONS

    Find content for further reading on all the themes covered on this site.
    This section contains links to –

     

    TOOLS

    Tools that cover every aspect of education are available, for the computer, tablet and the phone, to help teachers and students teach and learn more effectively. Some tasks that can be performed using tech tools are –

    • Course Tools
    • Event scheduling
    • Mind mapping
    • Digital story telling
    • Note taking
    • Document sharing
    • Discussion

    Click here for a list of all tools

     

    MOOC

    This section covers the Massive Open Online Courses and their variants, including information on -

    • The evolution of open courses
    • SPOCs and other variants of open courses
    • Collaboration between MOOC providers and colleges
    • Use of the MOOC in corporate training
    • Challenges and possible solutions
    • The possible future of MOOCs
    • Revenue models for MOOCs

    Click here for a list of MOOCs and SPOCs

     

    COURSE FINDERS

    Search engines and directories that guide students about

    • The best online courses
    • OER
    • Audio and video content
    • Courses in other languages
    • Ratings of professors and courses

    Click here for a list of Course Finders

     

BioVision Alexandria 2014 - New Life Sciences: The Next Decade

BioVision Alexandria 2014

BioVisionAlexandria 2014

Library of Alexandria

April 7-9, 2014

Following the meeting of the World University Consortium’s (WUC) charter members at Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria) in February, Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library, Director of WUC and WAAS Fellow, invited the World Academy and WUC to conduct three sessions at the 7th Biennial International BioVision Alexandria conference on April 7-9, 2014. A specific goal of BioVision Alexandria was to increase participation of developing countries and create significant roles for them in the global exchange of knowledge and best practices. The conference examined the latest and emerging scientific discoveries and inquired into ways they will shape our world and worldviews. The theme of BioVision 2014 was “New Life Sciences: The Next Decade.”

The conference gave prominent attention to the current revolution in online education and the leading-edge endeavor of WUC to promote accessible and affordable world-class higher education. A plenary session of the first day of the conference was co-organized by WUC and the Library and was entitled “The Coming Revolution in Higher Education.”

 


Azza El Kholy, Ismail Serageldin, Ljudmila Popovich, 
Alberto Zucconi & Garry Jacobs

 Monday,
 7 April 2014
 (Day 1)		  9:00–11:00  Registration (during all days of the Conference)
 11:00–13:00

Conference Opening Session 
 13:00–14:30 Networking break (Visit BioFair and Poster Session Area)
 14:30–15:30

The Role of Youth in Future Egypt 
 15:30–16:00 Networking break (Visit BioFair and Poster Session Area)
 16:00–17:30 Plenary Session 1: Systems and Synthetic Biology: The Way Forward Track 1: The German Science Centre Cairo – Excellent Opportunities for Students and Researchers from Egypt
 17:30–18:00 Networking break 
 18:00–19:30

Plenary Session 2: Sustainable Agriculture: New Models

 Track 2: H2020 and Erasmus Plus: The New EU Programmes for Research, Innovation and Higher Education
       
 Tuesday,
 8 April 2014
 (Day 2) 		8:30–9:00 Registration (during all days of the Conference)
9:00–10:30 Plenary Session 3: The Coming Revolution in Higher Education Panel A-1: Brain: What We Need to Know (Health) Panel C-1: Biotechnological Applications of Metagenomics (Environment)   Track 3: Digital Health for Better Care to All
10:30–11:00 Networking break 
11:00–12:30 Plenary Session 4: Emerging Pathogens: Preventing the Next Pandemic  Panel C-2: Green Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Towards a Sustainable Future of Egypt (Environment) Track 4: Future of Education: Opportunities and Challenges
12:30–14:00 Networking break 
14:00–15:30 Panel A-2: Genomics and Infectious Diseases: Routine Diagnostics of the Next Decade (Health) Panel B-1: Norman Borlaug and the Green Revolution: The Next Hundred Years (Food and Agriculture) Panel C-3: TriNex: Making the Water–Energy–Food Nexus the Next Research Frontier in Egypt (Environment) Track 5: Consciousness According to Science, Philosophy and Spirituality
15:30–16:00 Networking break 
16:00–17:30 Panel A-3: Phage Therapy: Old is New! (Health) Panel B-2: Norman Borlaug and the Green Revolution: the Next Hundred Years (Food and Agriculture) Panel C-4: Future of Sustainability I (Environment) Track 6: Communication, Innovation and Education: A Multiple Perspective (Roundtable)
17:30–18:00 Networking break 
18:00–19:30 Panel  A-4: Health Care and the Medical Revolution (Health) Panel C-5: Future of Sustainability II (Environment) Track 7: Help Desk
       
Wednesday,
 9 April 2014
 (Day 3)		 8:30–9:00 Registration (during all days of the Conference)
9:00–10:30 Plenary Session 5: New Trends in Life Sciences
10:30–11:00 Networking break
11:00–12:30 CEO Panel
12:30–14:00 Networking break
14:00–15:00 Plenary Session 6: Reporting Session
15:00–16:00 Plenary Session 7: Closing Session

 

Ismail Serageldin explored the need and potential for reinventing the university to attune it to rapidly changing social needs by harnessing newly emerging technologies. He characterized tomorrow’s universities and identified seven key aspects of the future of knowledge as the pillars of the knowledge revolution: meta-web high knowledge connectivity and high social connectivity, image-based virtual reality research, mutually enhancing relationship between humans and machines, the science of complex systems, computation and research, convergence of fields such as bio/info/nano technology, and pluri-disciplinarity. Examining the manifold crucial functions served by universities in society, he stressed the tremendous potential benefits a well-designed global university program would offer when adapted to the diverse needs of different nations, regions, age groups.

 

Garry Jacobs, CEO of WUC, urged the need for a dramatic and immediate expansion of the global system of higher education to accommodate the tremendous influx of students in the next ten years. He characterized education as the most effective technology developed so far for promoting the conscious social transformations needed to address today’s global challenges. Online education is a potent pedagogical model for both enhancing the quality and improving the accessibility and affordability of higher education.

 

Alberto Zucconi, Secretary General of WUC, delineated the foundational tenets and organizational principles of the Consortium. WUC is an inclusive international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral community dedicated to the protection and promotion of human potential, human rights, synergistic collaboration, sustainable development and biodiversity. Working in collaboration with universities, research institutes, NGOs, corporations and governments, it will seek to develop and disseminate new types of transdisciplinary courses, new pedagogical methods and technologies, and new strategies worldwide.

Tracing back the evolution of WUC to the idea of an informal world university envisioned by WAAS’ founders and the resounding enthusiasm generated at the World Academy Forum at the University of California Berkeley in 2013, Ljudmila Popovich identified WUC as not just another institution but rather as a New Culture of Learning. WUC seeks to transform the very way in which educational institutions and universities function. She pointed to the organizational, policy-making, funding, technical, curriculum, pedagogical and consciousness changes required to make the great leap toward such globally transformative goal. She characterized the new learning culture as an inclusive cultural climate, a holistic system of care and support, and a social movement created and co-created for the intellectual development and greater well-being of all humanity.

The WUC plenary session was followed by an interactive workshop in which students and faculty raised questions and shared their insights and concerns regarding the state of higher education today and the critical need for change. Azza El Kholy, Head of the Academic Research Sector of the Library of Alexandria, stressed the need for greater emphasis on Humanities, not only in the programs across the disciplines but also in any discussion of the future of research, knowledge and social advances. She emphasized the capacity of the Humanities to paint a bigger picture, create a more holistic approach, and infuse humanistic values into all disciplines and intellectual discourse. Rita Wilson, student at the English Department of the University of Alexandria, offered an impassioned perspective on the challenges of her generation’s education in Egypt. Alberto Zucconi addressed the importance of education for the development of the whole personality capable of making choices beneficial to both the individual and society. Mila Popovich proposed the notion of quantum learning, according to which the slightest shifts in the deepest levels of consciousness have dramatic external effects and consequences.

A third session conducted by WAAS on “Consciousness according to Science, Philosophy, and Spirituality,” focused on the nature of human consciousness and the shift in consciousness necessary to address current challenges and invent the next stage of human development. Garry Jacobs depicted consciousness as the most remarkable phenomenon in the universe, examined different and potentially complementary conceptions of it, and contemplated the future of consciousness research. Mila Popovich spoke on the issues of quantum computation, artificial intelligence, and consciousness and the relationship among them. Alberto Zucconi concentrated on the development of the whole rounded individual being to ensure individual and collective well-being. The presentations elicited intense interest and enthusiastic interactions among an overflowing hall of participants.

The response of students and other participants confirmed the need for a metaframe of learning and knowledge that WUC plans to afford by creating comprehensive, overarching foundation courses which address the interrelated nature of all aspects of human and planetary ecology, the principle and process of accomplishment relevant to a trans-disciplinary science of society, and the study of universal values needed to support the next stage of human development.

Ljudmila Popovich
Associate Fellow, World Academy of Art & Science;
Comparative Literature, University of Colorado