UK 

SUALL  Scottish Universities Association for Lifelong Learning

Contact details:

Web address –www.suall.org.uk

Contact person - Honorary Secretary, Theresa Hoare

Their email address  – theresa.hoare@glasgow.ac.uk

Address of network

SUALL, c/o Theresa Hoare, School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, 40 Bute Gardens, Glasgow G12 8RT

Tel                  +44 141 330 1852
Fax                  +44 141 330 3547

Background

Founded over 20 years ago, the Scottish Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (SUALL) is the only pan-Scotland body for the discussion, development and dissemination of best practice in widening participation, continuing personal and professional development and lifelong learning within Scotland’s universities.

Previously known as the Universities Association for Continuing Education, SUALL’s new badging in 2004 reflected the widened range of its members’ work which embraces:

• university-level access courses for young people and mature learners
• work based learning and CPD
• learning and support for refugees and migrants
• engagement with the voluntary sector
• credit and non credit-bearing courses and part-time degrees
• flexible delivery through summer schools, short courses, weekend and evening provision
• intergenerational learning, serving all generations from young people to Third Age
• institution- and discipline-specific skills training

Membership of SUALL is open to any institution whose Principal is a member of Universities UK or Universities Scotland; associate membership is open to other institutions by agreement. 14 universities, two small specialist institutions and one college are currently actively involved in sharing best practice through SUALL. The work of SUALL’s members since the late 80s has ensured that Universities remain key providers of lifelong learning, continuing education and training. The experience and expertise mainstreamed via SUALL has helped to ensure lifelong learning remains a vibrant and dynamic part of the HE sector’s programmes and courses (even if sometimes less visible than full time degree programmes).

Membership currently includes the Universities of Aberdeen, Abertay, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands and Islands, Stirling, Strathclyde, St Andrews and the West of Scotland; Glasgow Caledonian, Edinburgh Napier and Robert Gordon’s Universities, the Open University in Scotland, the Scottish Agricultural College, Glasgow School of Art  and Edinburgh College of Art.    

Focus

To provide focus within SUALL, active practitioners contribute to network groups dealing with

• Knowledge, Information, Learning, Training and Skills (KILTS)
• Widening Participation (interfacing with other university departments)
• Research (SUALL members are part of the RAE researching community)
• Management and administration (ensuring excellence in support activities)

Core activities

Through regular meetings, networking sub-groups, participation at conferences, organisation of seminars and professional engagement with colleagues throughout the UK and in Europe, SUALL

• identifies and shares good practice in adult teaching and learning, showcasing innovation 
• widens participation by creating increased access to undergraduate study
• contributes to the skills agenda by offering a wide range of CPD programmes
• improves linkages and facilitates articulation between the FE and HE sector
• provides research and consultancy services and informed comment on Government Papers
• ensures Scotland has UK and Europe wide dialogue through UALL and EUCEN

Research projects with European partners have looked at Third Age Guidance, Refugee Guidance, Basic Skills for Work, European ILA Schemes.  Other projects have involved African partners and working with communities and NGOs in Nepal.  Leading work has also been undertaken both regionally and internationally to explore the contribution of universities to the development of the ‘learning city/region’.

Current issues

Synergies with the Scottish Government’s Agenda

Lifelong learning and widening participation in the HE sector serves the Scottish Government’s five strategic objectives in the following ways:

Smarter

Tens of thousands of adult part-time students invest in themselves by learning part-time to benefit their own life experience, enhance their skills and improve their prospects. They claim their right to education and SUALL supports them, evidencing the value that Scottish society places on a vigorous intellectual and cultural life not confined only to those able to access full time study.

Wealthier

Employability is a core goal of lifelong learning, providing training, ideas and opportunities contributing to learners’ independence, confidence, well being and self-respect. Education and training throughout life will ensure Scotland’s global competitiveness and combat social exclusion. Many HEIs are reporting steadily increasing uptake of ILAs, enabling younger adult learners and those on low incomes to acquire new knowledge and skills, and raise aspirations.

Healthier and Safer

Global research shows that learning through life, but especially in later life, contributes to social and psychological networks that produce measurable benefits to physical and mental health, crucial in an ageing population. A healthier Scotland is also a safer Scotland: the growing interest in inter-generational learning increases social connectedness and solidarity and a sense of communality. Young and old learning together contributes to more inclusive communities.

Greener

SUALL’s work services widespread interest in topics linked to environmental issues and good citizenship through delivery of courses, lectures and other initiatives.

How do SUALL members deliver on Government’s lifelong learning goals?

SUALL provides a forum for the development and dissemination of good practice and excellence in continuing education, lifelong learning, training and CPD within Scotland’s universities; represents continuing education within HE and to funding authorities; responds to government papers and other public documents; facilitates communication, liaison and collaboration with other bodies and organisations in the field; conducts and disseminates research into education throughout life.