Abstract
Lifelong learning (LLL) is increasingly important due to current technological and social changes. Against the background of constantly advancing agricultural production and processing, the continuous training and qualification of people working for the agricultural sector is becoming increasingly relevant. This applies in particular to the opportunities offered by smart agriculture.
The project USAGE set out to develop LLL initiatives in the realm of agricultural engineering and smart agriculture throughout Europe. The project examines the opportunities for universities and the requirements of particular parts of the agricultural sector. Based on a survey with 70 participants in Germany, Austria and South Tyrol, the demand for LLL courses in the field of smart farming was analyzed. It shows a corresponding interest in offers at universities.
The paper refers to the potentials of new educational approaches. It elaborates the role of universities in LLL education and concludes with an overview of preliminary experiences of LLL offers on smart agriculture in South Tyrol.