Abstract:

Scientific meetings and conferences, as well as participating in scientific networks and societies, are essential for research activity as they promote professors and researchers to share their activity, improve their professional relationships and establish a network of contacts which enhances their professional development, both at present and in the future. Furthermore, the organization of these events by universities also promotes the image and reputation of the host institution.

The organization of these events can be carried out by a specialized, external company or by the universities themselves, provided they have structures that allow so. However, structures for these purposes are uncommon. In 2015, a study carried out by the Association of Congress Offices of Spanish Universities (OCUE) revealed that only two Spanish universities, of all respondents, were actively involved in the organization of conferences via an internal department. One of these universities is the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) which does so through its Lifelong Learning Centre (CFP).
The CFP of the UPV was created in 1991 with the purpose of facilitating the organization of continuing training activities mentioned in the Third Mission. After years of experience in the field of continuing education, in 2008 it was decided that this department would offer support to conference organizers. Since then, more than 450 conferences have been organized by this department.

The institutional support for the organization and management of the conferences favours the synergic actions between organizers and participants in the conference, as well as with other parties, such as those involved in the management of research, knowledge transfer, employers, or public organizations, which are related to the university. The institutional management of the conferences makes it easier to use the networks established in the university with professionals, institutions or companies and helps to establish new links among research groups.

The relationship between conferences and the Third Mission within the European Space of Higher Education is extremely noticeable as a significant number of conferences incorporate training activities such as tutorials, workshops or master classes aimed at students and professionals, among others, offering a unique opportunity to receive highly specialized, forefront training in the field.

In short, this work presents conferences as a meeting point between researchers, students and professionals in which research and training actions converge with institutions and enterprises.

Keywords:

Lifelong Learning, Conferences.