Set-in LifeLong Learning for PhD students in Electrical and Information Engineering

New European rules try to encourage the lifelong learning whatever the level of the Higher Education. Some studies were encouraged, mainly thematic networks, devoted to the development of LifeLong Learning (LLL) in Europe: the ELLEIEC project in the case of Electrical and Information Engineering. The new national rules have encouraged since the beginning of 2007 the validation of the professional experience leading to a diploma at the bachelor and master levels as well as at the doctoral one. Lifelong learning at the doctoral level may cover several aspects. One of them consists in considering LLL a student preparing a thesis in a company with an academic supervisor. In practice, this work is mainly performed in an industrial environment and is applied usually just after the graduation or master diploma. Another more interesting case, is the situation where the student has already a professional experience of several years mainly in a research and development environment and applies to get a doctoral diploma, thanks to an APEL (Accreditation Of Prior And Experiential Learning). Specific approach and evaluation must be set-in. This paper deals with Lifelong Learning in the case of a person wishing to get a doctoral diploma in Electrical and Information Engineering, from his professional experience.