LINQ 2012, with its motto "Learning Innovations and Quality: How do they fit together?", addresses Lifelong Learning (LLL), Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL), quality standards and certification, human resources development, competences and skills, as well as learning, innovation and quality management systems. All experts from Learning, Education and Training (LET) are invited to contribute their own professional or academic efforts and to present them in a scientific paper and presentation and join in our dialogue on Innovations and Quality in Learning, Education and Training (LET).

A call for papers in connection with LINQ 2012 was open for submissions until the prolonged deadline of the 10th of August. All papers submitted described fully developed results, on-going work or innovative concepts on the following topics:

• Innovations and future trends in Learning, Education and Training (LET)
• Quality Development and Certification in LET
• Competence and skills development in lifelong learning
• Implementation of learning innovations
• Technology‐Enhanced Learning for schools, universities and lifelong learning
• Web 2.0, Social Media and Online Communities for LET
• Learning outcome orientation and quality certification
• Standardisation of LET design, production and services
• Knowledge, innovation and ideas management in LET contexts
• Learning quality in vocational education and training and HR
• Certification of LET services and providers
• Quality and standardization of learning assessment and evaluation
• Harmonization of innovations and quality development in LET

The programme for the conference in Brussels on the 23rd of October announces the schedule for the event as well as the contributions of some of the most prominent participants. Keynote speakers at LINQ 2012 include policy officers from the Directorate General of Education and Culture for the European Commission: Godelieve van den Brande, policy officer in the area of ICT and Innovations in Learning, will discuss the role of learning innovations in the European Commission's work and visions for European Collaboration. Sophie Weisswange, involved in the DG's efforts regarding quality assurance for VET, will build upon this vision of learning innovations in Europe with her contribution concerning learning quality and the standards that are needed to ensure the efficacy of European VET. Individuals interested in speaking alongside these esteemed guests have until the 10th of August to submit their papers: The Call for Papers has been prolonged due to many requests.

Further speeches will be held by Christian M. Stracke from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Sofoklis Sotiriou head of R&D for the Greek school Ellinogermaniki Agogi, and Sandra Feliciano of the Centre for Research and Innovation in Business Sciences and Information Systems of Porto Polytechnic. Mr Stracke, who also chairs the CEN Technical Committee 353 and is active as an ISO Convener, will discuss the possibility of contradictions that may arise between learning innovation and learning quality. Mr Sotiriou's presentation on the other hand will deal with the learning innovations involved in his work in schools and science education. Finally, Mrs Feliciano will elaborate on her experience with learning quality and certification as chair of the Portuguese national technical committee CTA 25. Their speeches will be followed with the related presentations of submitted papers.

Attendance at the European conference "Learning Innovations and Quality" (LINQ 2012) is subject to a fee (70 €) and requires online registration as places are limited. The conference fee includes all provisions including a warm 3-course lunch, two coffee breaks, the conference bag and the official conference proceedings. More information on the conference, as well as a full copy of the conference programme, can be found on the conference website at www.learning-innovations.eu

Overview of the important dates:
- Paper submission deadline: July 10 August 10, 2012 (*** PROLONGED ***)
- Notification of acceptance: August 20, 2012
- Camera-Ready copy due: September 7, 2012
- Conference date: October 23, 2012

Direct enquiries and full papers can be sent to the LINQ Conference Manager Mrs Tatiana Shamarina-Heidenreich, University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), Germany, via e-Mail to: tatiana.shamarina-heidenreich@icb.uni-due.de