Research into Higher Education of Adults in Slovenia

Abstract

In his study the author first ascertains that there is a general tendency for higher education of adults to become the domain of university; therefore, in 1993, the Centre for the Development of the University decided to carry outa comprehensive research into higher education of adults in this country. lts aim was to ereate a theoretical framework, a description of the past developments and of the present state, a definition of requirements and a statement of proposals for implementation of changes. The main findings of the study indicate that there have been major changes in the 

higher education of adults in r ece nt years; continuous professional education in its many forms is rapidly spreading; the courses offered to the “irregular” (part-time) student are the same as those offered to the “regular” (full-time) student, but there is less counselling for th e adults. The author establishes that higher education of adults is still lagging behind, a situation resulting from the lack of coordination between - and in activity of - various agents in the system. The study also shows that in Slovenia there are more placements open to adults in the academic or university programs than in the professional programs, which is contrary to what might be expected in view of the nature of part­time studies. ln the conclusion the author suggests that the university should liaise with the other parts of the system, which is the only possible way to make the university evol ve into a community of scientists, teachers and students, not separated by age, a community that will be ready to accept the challenges posed by the environment and foster a cooperation exceeding the framework of science.