UNESCO-OECD Guidelines for Quality Provision in Cross-Border Higher Education An Institutional Perspective Eva Egron-Polak, International Association of Universities Dar Es Salaam, September 2007

Report outline Rationale for survey Methodology Findings Conclusions Recommendations November 18 ©IAU

Rationale for Survey UNESCO IAU Answering the ‘so what?’ question commitment to pursue overall goals of Guidelines Maintain focus of attention on issues responsibility to report to General Conference on progress IAU internationalization of higher education (including cross-border) a top priority and interest collaboration with UNESCO learning about needs of institutions and associations retain focus on issues Answering the ‘so what?’ question Identifying possible next steps to secure quality in cross-border higher education November 18 ©IAU

Methodology Two e-mailed questionnaires Survey of IAU member HEIs Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) National and Regional Associations of HEIs Survey of IAU member HEIs (n = 608 > 559) Survey of national and regional associations (n = 145 > 119) All world regions covered November 18 ©IAU

Methodology (II) Survey fatigue or lack of interest? Poor institutional response rate Highest level from Europe Slightly higher response rate from associations Sample too small to see regional trends Findings are informative and indicative; but not conclusive November 18 ©IAU

Findings Level of awareness by HEIs and Associations Usefulness for their various activities Relevance of Guidelines’ policy objectives and principles to HEIs and Associations Perceived Benefits Suggestions for next steps November 18 ©IAU

Awareness +50% familiar with Guidelines (Associations more so than HEIs) Assume less awareness among non-respondents Most HEIs did not disseminate Guidelines / most Associations did disseminate Majority indicate willingness to circulate or announce availability of Guidelines November 18 ©IAU

Usefulness/Relevance for HEIs Options offered in questionnaire included: To analyse institutional and partner practices – (significant use) For preparing briefs, reports, etc. For policy, program, project development For advocacy - (some use) For research – (no use) November 18 ©IAU

Usefulness/Relevance for Associations Respondents were offered same options Replies indicate more diverse use of Guidelines Writing reports and newsletters of highest relevance Development of policy and programs – most frequently identified but deemed only as being of ‘some use’ In general Associations were more enthusiastic but several Associations deemed that all options were of ‘no use’ to their work November 18 ©IAU

Relevance of Guidelines Objectives Protecting students Increasing international portability of qualifications Fair and transparent recognition procedures Increased international cooperation between national QA agencies November 18 ©IAU

Relevance of objectives (II) HEIs found all objectives ‘very relevant’ or ‘quite relevant’ Generally Associations were also enthusiastic – though more replied with ‘quite relevant’ rather than ‘very relevant’ No respondent deemed the objectives as irrelevant November 18 ©IAU

Relevance of Guidelines 3 Principles Mutual trust, respect and importance of international cooperation in HE – very relevant Recognition of national authority and diversity of HE systems – quite relevant HE as means to cultural diversity, economic development and social cohesion – very relevant November 18 ©IAU

Most important benefits Providing an international QA policy framework for cross-border education Raising awareness of the issue of quality in cross-border education Promoting collaboration and trust between providers and receivers of cross-border education HEIs and Associations agree on these 3 November 18 ©IAU

Conclusions HEIs remain unaware of the Guidelines Those that know about them view the Guidelines as a positive step by UNESCO and OECD Substantive content (principles and objectives) of the Guidelines are deemed very relevant for HEIs and Associations The Guidelines are viewed as fulfilling their goal of providing an international policy framework Questions remain about how to make concrete and specific use of the Guidelines at institutional level November 18 ©IAU

Recommendations Efforts are needed to raise awareness of the Guidelines among HEIs, Associations, but more generally among all 6 stakeholder groups to encourage active adoption. Using ICTs, holding workshops, disseminating examples of Good Practice were cited as possible means promote information sharing on how Guidelines have been used to improve policy, cross-border programs etc. at institutional level develop tools to facilitate the implementation of Guidelines, perhaps by offering incentives and/or recognition for make significant strides November 18 ©IAU

International Association of Universities THANK YOU Eva Egron-Polak International Association of Universities Eegron.iau@unesco.org www.unesco.org/iau November 18 ©IAU