1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. International Association of Universities
THANK YOU
Eva Egron-Polak
International Association of Universities
November 18
©IAU