Understanding Regionalization of Higher Education In Asia

Transcription

1 Understanding Regionalization of Higher Education In Asia East West Centre Senior Seminar Hong Kong May 4-6, 2011 Professor Jane Knight Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto, Canada

2 Outline of Presentation Examples of current HE regionalization initiatives in Asia Working definition of regionalization Conceptual mapping of related terms 3 approaches to HE regionalization Issues and questions meriting further reflection

3 Recent Developments in Asian Higher Education Regionalization. Some examples *in addition to ongoing bilateral and multi-lateral HEI collaborations

4 HE Regionalization in Asia- 1 Recent and Planned Developments APQN, AQAN, AUN-QA (J)MIT- Mobility program (SEAMEO/RIHED) Campus Asia- Mobility and QA among Japan, Korea, China UMAP (10 years old) Asian Academic Credit System (UCTS,ACTS) AP UNESCO convention on recognition of qualifications RIHED/ASEAN HE Knight Networks 2011

5 HE Regionalization in Asia-2 Regional Level Actors/Drivers SEAMEO/RIHED East Asia Summit AUN, APRU, APQN ASEAN APEC ASEM Regional Bureau for UNESCO?

6 Diversity of Concepts, issues and approaches A review of policy documents, conference reports, media articles, academic papers, blogs shows a multitude of issues, terms and approaches to describe the growing importance and approach to regional dimension in Higher Education

7 Four Lines of Inquiry Impact of regionalism on HE Regionalization of HE HE as a tool for regional integration Inter-regional cooperation in HE

8 Regional.ism ization tion -Regionalism... -Regionalization. Ideology Process -Regional Integration. Condition Definition of region is complex and challenging - functional, political, geographic, cultural, historic - overlapping, multi-faceted, multi-layered - region as connections not as physical space

9 Focus is on regionalization as a process Impact of regionalism on HE Regionalization of HE HE as a tool for regional integration Inter-regional cooperation in HE

10 Regionalization of Higher Education - A working definition - A process of facilitating Promoting, building, strengthening closer collaboration and alignment among higher education actors Institutions, systems, organizations, networks, govts etc within a designated area or framework called a region

11 Multitude of Terms for HE Regionalization -Confusion and Complexity- Convergence Community Cooperation Harmonization Collaboration Coordination Integration Interdependence Alignment Partnership

12 Conceptual mapping of these terms

13 Cooperation Collaboration Partnership Coordination Coherence Alignment Convergence Integration Harmonization Community Interdependence Continuum of Regionalization- Region Building

14 Concepts not included in mapping Standardization Uniformity Conformity Homogenization Differences and diversity among HE actors and systems must be acknowledged and respected

15 Continuum of Regionalization From cooperation to integration Progression on the Continuum??? Gradual Quantum Leap Informal Formal Internal External Bottom Up Top Down Reactive.Proactive.... Strategic Cooperation..Integration

16 3 Approaches to Regionalization of HE Functional Approach Organizational Approach Political Approach

17 FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICAL Interdependent Relationship Among 3 Approaches

18 3 Approaches to Regionalization of HE Functional Approach Alignment of systems Collaborative Programs Organizational Approach Major actors and frameworks Organizational architecture Political Approach Declarations, summits, treaties

19 Functional Approach -1 Alignment of Systems and Policies Quality Assurance Academic credit system Degree levels Qualification recognition Academic Years/Semesters Qualification Frameworks ITC platforms

20 Functional Approach -2 Collaborative Programs Academic Mobility student, professor, scholar, administrators Crossborder programs and providers branch campus, twinning, franchise, double/joint degrees, sandwich programs Institutional agreements Research networks and projects Centres of excellence Pan-regional university

21 Organizational Approach Organizational Architecture Types Governmental bodies ASEAN, SEAMEO, UNESCO, APEC Professional Groups/NGOs/Centres UMAP, RIHED Networks of HEIs, org, agencies APQN, AUN, APRU Foundations/ Funders/ Levels Global- Regional, Sub-regional, Inter-regional

22 Political Approach Declarations Brisbane Communique, Chiba Principles Agreements/Conventions/Treaties Asia Pacific UNESCO convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Summits/ Policy Dialogues, Task Force East Asia Summit, ASEM, ASEAN +3,+6,+8

23 Questions and issues? What are the key rationales driving HE regionalization? What are the expected outcomes? Who benefits? Is one approach more dominant than others? What is the optimal balance? How does regionalization respect diversity of national systems and HEIs and avoid becoming standardization and homogenization? What is the relationship between regional identity and global citizenship?

24 Thank you