7th PASCAL Observatory International Conference

This conference will bring together academic researchers, teachers and administrators as well as practitioners, professionals, policy analysts and makers in order to explore and showcase research and practice of what in North America is called 'Service to the Community'. Although newly discovered by some universities, service to the community has a long tradition in others and, in many cases, is recognized as an explicit mandate in the university charter. Service is understood to be the third mission of universities, alongside Teaching and Research. Service and community engagement takes many different forms. Examples are community-based research and learning, assistance in regional development, continuing and community education, technology transfer, and other forms of knowledge sharing and cooperation.

The conference will discuss all forms of service to the community. Presentations are invited, especially on one of the three sub themes:

• Universities and Regional Regeneration and Development
• Higher Education and Sustainable Development
• Universities and Major Local and Regional Events (for example the Olympics, the Soccer World Cup, or the World Exposition)

Under the first theme, studies that will be of particular interest are those that focus on the impact of collaboration by, and active linkages between universities and regions, and the local and regional developments that have resulted from this collaboration.

For the second theme, papers and other presentations are invited to address the topic of sustainable local and regional development in all its forms and the role universities and community colleges play in it. The third theme addresses forms of collaboration between higher education and the various actors, especially cities and regions, who are involved in organizing and staging these mega events in a way that these events leave a positive legacy that benefits the population of their respective city or region. This theme is particularly topical as Vancouver and Whistler will host the Olympic Winter Games in February 2010.

Proposals (between 400 and 800 words) are invited until January 31, 2009 to the following address: chet.educ@ubc.ca.

For more information, visit http://www.obs-pascal.com/node/810