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
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
Recent Developments in Asian Higher Education Regionalization. Some examples *in addition to ongoing bilateral and multi-lateral HEI collaborations
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
HE Regionalization in Asia-2 Regional Level Actors/Drivers SEAMEO/RIHED East Asia Summit AUN, APRU, APQN ASEAN APEC ASEM Regional Bureau for UNESCO?
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
Four Lines of Inquiry Impact of regionalism on HE Regionalization of HE HE as a tool for regional integration Inter-regional cooperation in HE
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
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
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
Multitude of Terms for HE Regionalization -Confusion and Complexity- Convergence Community Cooperation Harmonization Collaboration Coordination Integration Interdependence Alignment Partnership
Conceptual mapping of these terms
Cooperation Collaboration Partnership Coordination Coherence Alignment Convergence Integration Harmonization Community Interdependence Continuum of Regionalization- Region Building
Concepts not included in mapping Standardization Uniformity Conformity Homogenization Differences and diversity among HE actors and systems must be acknowledged and respected
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
3 Approaches to Regionalization of HE Functional Approach Organizational Approach Political Approach
FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICAL Interdependent Relationship Among 3 Approaches
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
Functional Approach -1 Alignment of Systems and Policies Quality Assurance Academic credit system Degree levels Qualification recognition Academic Years/Semesters Qualification Frameworks ITC platforms
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
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
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
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?
Thank you jane.knight@utoronto.ca