World University Forum 2012

World University Forum 2012 on the island of Rhodes.

For any academics or educationally-minded travellers wanting an excuse to travel to Rhodes in the New Year, then learning about the 2012 World Universities Forum (WUF) that is being held at the University of Aegean, Rhodes, may be just the kind of excuse you need to jet off to sunny Rhodes this January.

Since 2008, the WUF has been held each year at different venues across the world. This fifth WUF meeting is taking place from 8 – 10 January, 2012. The focus of the event is to examine the current status and future possibilities of the University of Aegean. There will be a special focus however on the theme “Beyond the Neoliberal University”.

This theme will explore a wide range of related materials that are affecting universities and students around the world, including “academic capitalism”, privatisation, budget cut and austerity policies, increasing student debt, managerialism, and de-professionalization. The sessions held on Corfu aim to initiate conversation, debate and ideas about how scholars can address the profound impact the neoliberal model is having on university across the globe.

Speaking at the World University Forum 2012 will be Professor Ronald Barnett of the Institute of London, UK, Professor George Ritzer, Department of Sociology of the University of Maryland, USA and Rector Antonio Novoa of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, amongst other distinguished figures in higher education.

So where could you fit in to the World University forum 2012? The organisers of the event are calling upon members of the public to join the discussion and welcome you to submit a presentation proposal for the 2012 Forum. To submit a proposal visit ontheuniversity.com.

Situated in the city of Rhodes, one of the richest cities in the whole of Greece, the University of Aegean is surrounded by natural beauty, history and culture, with a plethora of activities and events put on each week.

In short, if you are concerned about the “neoliberalism” and “academic capitalism” of our universities and would like the opportunity to discuss this imperative subject in the most inspirational of locations possible, then be sure to put the World University Forum 2012 on your New Year itinerary.