1. Kauko Hämäläinen and Rait Toompere Baku, Open seminar 8.9.2016
Recommendations for better communication and networking in AZ higher education
Kauko Hämäläinen and Rait Toompere
Baku, Open seminar

2. Main Recommendations
1.Establishing a platform or platforms for networking 2. Establish Rector´s conference(s) 3. Regional cooperation 4. Increasing participation in International cooperation and academic networks

3. 1. Platform(s) for networking
Now: Insufficient communication, networking and coordination within and between the MoE, the HEIs and stakeholders
Better coordination and networking could be useful in developing higher education

4. Platform(s); main tasks, 1.
To promote higher education policy and practice e.g.
Mobility and recognition
Graduate employability and labor market relevance
Learning outcomes
Intenal and external evaluations
Lifelong learning / professional development
Strenghtening involment of stakeholders

5. Main tasks of platform(s), 2
To support structural changes, e.g. creating joint study programs and merging universities or programs
To support the development of
(work-oriented) teaching,
high level and relevant research and
innovations

6. Step 1 The establishment of an electronic Newsletter
How to proceed
Step 1 The establishment of an electronic Newsletter

7. Newsletter targets
Improving communication and common uderstanding among the stakeholders
Uniting into a single information platform all possible parties
Collecting information in a way, that all participants could have a voice in a Newsletter
Informing what is in focus at the national and international level
Informing about financing possibilities
Identifying the main needs in HE

8. Newsletter composition
IN FOCUS
Most important developments (national, international)
NEWS
From the MoE, universities, business sector,local authorities
NATIONAL EDUCATION AND THE GLOBAL CONTEXT
„Arab world`s equitable education foundation partners for online learning“
„Norway, changing institutional status after the higher education quality reform“

9. Newsletter composition II
PUBLIC TENDERS AND CALL FOR PROPOSALS
„H2020-SwafS Participatory research and innovation via Science Shops“
PUBLICATIONS
„EC Study on the potential of education to cause macroeconomic imbalances and negative spillovers“
CONFERENCES, SEMINARS
Quarterly edition

10. Step 2 establishment of formalized platform(s)
Newsletter could be a good starting point for formalized networking
PLATFORM MISSION
Definition of the strategic need
Formulation of the strategic goals
Ways how to achieve strategic goals

11. Platform objectives and activities
Clear composition of primary objectives and core activities
Key results should be carefully analysed
The agenda setting should be in compliance with the activities and expected results

12. Platform operations
It is necessary to fix leadership, roles and composition of the coordination group
The coordination group should be composed transparently
The coordination group establishes information flows in order to build up the transparency, participation and trust between members

13. 2. Establishing Rectors´s conference
Need for more systematic cooperation of HEIs
To support the developent of national higher education
To promote higher education, research and arts by addressing far-reaching, university related issues
Permanent academic secretary is needed

14. Rector´s conference, tasks
To promote common interests of universities
To influence higher education and research policy
To support international co-operation
To develop the European Higher Education Area to meet European standards

15. Rector`s conference tasks II
Declaration of quality (mutual recognition)
Organizeing study-related/scientific conferences, workshops and symposiums

16. 3. Regional cooperation To meet regional needs, e.g. emplyability
To develop support systems and facilities together (e.g. libraries, ICT-services, student suport services, teaching facilities)
Concentrate teaching and research into bigger units to enhance the level ot teaching and research
Merging universities or study programs

17. increasing participation in international academic networks
To support cooperation of HEIs across borders
There are plenty of international, non-covernemental organisations
For universities, rectors, different academic areas and students

18. How to proceed MoE could analyse Azerbaijan needs and situation
Student organisations need financial support to participate in international cooperation
MoE can support or recommend universities to join some associations
Marketing of higher education, join EAIE and NAFSA events