Educational Products and Services Offered Abroad by Canadian Universities: An AUCC Survey Robert White International Relations AUCC

The Knowledge Exports Survey – Why Engage Canadian Universities AUCC’s survey on internationalization at Canadian universities showed that Canadian university engagement in this sector is a growing activity. Limited statistical and anecdotal information is available regarding Canadian university engagement in delivering educational programs and services abroad. Direct competition from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States requires a concerted internationalization strategy To further support efforts to market Canadian post-secondary education, DFAIT engaged AUCC and ACCC to gather information from their member institutions on educational programs and services offered abroad to students living outside of Canada during the academic year.

AUCC Knowledge Exports Survey – Methodology AUCC/ACCC/DFAIT Methodology 1.Work with the ACCC and DFAIT to launch the survey and compile the inventory. 2.Convene an ad-hoc advisory committee of AUCC and ACCC reps & members to guide/test questionnaire. 3.Finalize & launch questionnaires to AUCC members. 4.Compile a database of categories and types of programs offered abroad, supporting institutional infrastructure and partnership arrangements. 5.Undertake a review and summary of Canadian and non-Canadian directories of post secondary offshore programs delivery to inform survey development.

Survey - Issues and Challenges Results represent only a portion of activities and can serve as the beginning of an inventory Information regarding education programs & services delivered abroad is typically not centrally located at Canadian universities It is critical to establish a easy-use mechanism to regularly update information. Further data collection and analysis through a second phase of analysis is necessary

Knowledge Exports by the Numbers – Institutional Responses 2008 Knowledge Exports Survey – 54 AUCC member institutions (58%) responded to the survey 39 AUCC member institutions (72%) indicated offering some form of educational programs and services abroad Just over two-thirds of respondents (68%) indicated having a high to medium level of interest in designing and delivering education courses and training programs for non-Canadian markets A higher proportion of respondents (81%) expect that future interest will be high or medium 2006 – 2007 Internationalization Survey – Knowledge Exports AUCC’s survey supports a similar finding with 75% of respondents confirming delivery of education and training programs outside of Canada

AUCC Survey - Key Trends and Observations Findings from the 2008 survey indicate that Canadian universities are actively delivering educational programs and services overseas and employing rigorous quality assurance policies abroad. Canadian university engagement in providing educational programs and services abroad is not confined to particular sizes or types of universities. The delivery of educational programs abroad is largely facilitated through institutional partnerships. Participants reported education programs & services in 41 countries China remains Canadian universities’ largest market for the provision of educational programs and services overseas. India ranks 2 nd

Knowledge Exports by the Numbers – Top Fields of Study Participants reported the top fields of study for overseas education program delivery as follows: Business Management & Computer Science/Information Technology Agriculture/Food Sciences Engineering Education

Knowledge Exports by the Numbers – Economic Impact Total Professional Staff Dedicated to Delivery of Education Abroad Of the participating Canadian universities, 42 institutions reported an average of 3 professional staff at each institution dedicated to delivery of education abroad Total Tuition Generated from Students Abroad A total of 16 institutions reported student numbers and tuition for 32 programs generated $29.72 million in tuition in A total of 9 institutions indicated that students numbers and tuition for 14 services generated $1.62 million in tuition revenue Total tuition revenue reported (excluding distance education) is $31.34 million

Knowledge Exports by the Numbers – Institutions & Infrastructure Institutional Arrangements and Partnerships Canadian universities reported institutional arrangements to deliver programs: Double award: 27 institutional arrangements Twinning/articulation:26 institutional arrangements Franchise/accreditation: 21 institutional arrangements Joint award: 3 institutional arrangements Method of Delivery Participants noted that of delivery options available, on-site program delivery in the host institution is preferred. The results are as follows: On-site in host (foreign) institution - (83.5%) Distance - (2%) Combination of distance + on site - (11%) At Canadian institution branch campus - (3.5%)

Quality Assurance Assuring the quality of educational programs offered abroad by Canadian universities: 100% follow requirements of the home (Canadian) institution’s general policies and practices In addition, 65% have specific mechanisms or procedures guiding the provision of education abroad In addition, 37% follow specific mechanisms or procedures of relevant professional bodies (ex: Canadian Engineering Accredition Board)