voices of lifelong learning

In this episode we talk with Beate Hörr and Tamer Atabarut, members of eucen’s Steering Committee, about the role of lifelong learning in universities, the challenges of financial sustainability and governance, and the priorities for University Lifelong Learning in a rapidly changing world.

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Understanding University Lifelong Learners

Who are ULLL learners, and what motivates them to return to learning? In this episode, eucen Steering Committee members Lyndsey El Amoud (University College Cork) and Christelle de Beys (Université libre de Bruxelles) explore the diverse profiles and needs of ULLL learners. They discuss governance, partnerships within lifelong learning ecosystems, barriers to participation and the risk of leaving disadvantaged learners behind.

In this episode, eucen staff members Carme Royo, Francesca Uras, and Diana Treviño-Eberhard share insights into how eucen works, their respective roles within the organisation, and how eucen strives to achieve its mission and objectives. The conversation highlights the wide range of activities and initiatives through which eucen supports and promotes University Lifelong Learning.

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In this episode, we speak with the three winners of the SAMUELE Compendium of Case Studies, who were recently honoured with the SAMUELE ULLL Award 2026 for their outstanding contributions to ULLL.

Congratulations to:

- Sara Benedetti, representing the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Switzerland

- Andrew Reeves, representing De Montfort University, United Kingdom

- Brian Shee, representing the University of Limerick, Ireland

Listen to this episode and learn more about their unique approaches to ULLL.

In this episode we talk about eucen's project SAMUELE with one of its partners, Rasmus Johnsen from the Copenague Business School in Denmark, and one of its external evaluators, Edith Hammer from the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.

In this episode, Renee Tan, Assistant Executive Director and Director of Research Division at Institute for Adult Learning Singapore, tells us how Singapore has built one of the world’s most ambitious lifelong learning systems.

Renee explains how Singapore’s approach goes far beyond employability. It is built on a broader vision of human flourishing, resilience, and active citizenship. We discuss the funding architecture behind lifelong learning in Singapore, including government subsidies, employer support, and individual learning accounts that encourage shared responsibility and real commitment.

Renee also shares how over half a million people use SkillsFuture credits each year, and why lifelong learning is increasingly embedded in workplace culture.

Looking ahead, she shares a powerful lesson for universities and governments worldwide: lifelong learning works best when it is treated as a shared ecosystem, with institutions, employers, communities, and learners all playing a role.

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In this episode, Pascal Paschoud, President of EUCEN, explores how universities must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

As climate change, technology, and social shifts reshape our lives, lifelong learning is becoming central to the role of universities. Yet most institutions are still structured around traditional degrees, with limited funding, incentives, and recognition for continuous learning.

We discuss the key barriers holding universities back, the growing importance of micro-credentials and flexible learning pathways, and why stronger evidence is needed to prove the real impact of lifelong learning to policymakers.

Looking ahead, Pascal shares a powerful vision of universities as lifelong partners, supporting learners across a “60-year curriculum” while balancing societal needs with academic depth and independence.

This conversation is about more than education. It is about the future of society, resilience, and how learning can shape a more inclusive and adaptable Europe.

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