Feedback on The Gulf Regional Seminar QACHE Project Challenges, Good Practices & Recommendations Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar 22-23 January 2015 Macao - CHINA
Content The Gulf Region Representation & importance of CBHE in the Gulf Region Challenges Opportunities/Benefit of CHBE Good Practices Identified Recommendations & Outcomes of the Gulf Regional Seminar
The Gulf Region Has become an international Higher Education Hub Australia UK USA Major Providers
Representation & importance Of CBHE in the Gulf Region UAE s (CAA) licensed 66 private institutions offering 479 programmes Oman provides incentives for private HE; 24 private HEIs established as joint enterprises. The Qatar Foundation s goal was to bring world class universities to Doha and recruited HEIs regarded as top 10 in their priority areas. Bahrain and Kuwait have few transnational HEIs Oman and Saudi Arabia have no international branch campuses, with Saudi Arabia the only Gulf State with no face-to-face transnational education.
Systems Challenges Importer & Exporter Perspective Maturity of some QAA which affects mutual trust Differences in systems and regulations between the two countries Difficulty of Recognition of CBHE Qualifications Variation in partnership and delivery models of CBHE
Responsibility & accountability Challenges (Cont d) Importer & Exporter Perspective Cultural (reporting language barrier) and Political Differences Aligning QA systems & defining the level of responsibility of both exporter and importer Cost of QA CBHE and the level of accountability
Economy & impact Challenges (Cont d) Importer & Exporter Perspective Competition (importer national qualifications vs. exporter marketing their qualifications) Impact of transnational provision on economic in the gulf not yet evident Managing economic and market demands in light of such compaction in light of the two points above
Governance Challenges (Cont d) Importer & Exporter Perspective Lack of agreed clear regulations to monitor the relationship The Governance of HE reviews & joint review visits Lack of Harmonization of Panels which should involve experts from both countries
Generally Challenges (Cont d) Importer & Exporter Perspective Lack of Comprehensive Qualification Framework Public Awareness
Opportunities/Benefit of CHBE Students studying in home country are less likely to leave, therefore reducing brain drain of Gulf nationals. More nationals study at home than previously As the reputation of branch campuses increases, they are likely to attract students from oversees Foreign HIEs have reinforced the capacity of the Gulf region to enable participation in HE
Opportunities/Benefit of CHBE Foreign HEIs that meet the demand of private sector have enabled countries to achieve nationalization of labor in some areas, reduce youth employment, and lowering emigration of skilled work force Foreign HEIs have provided competition for the government institutions, and encourage Gulf governments to improve accreditation and QA Young gulf nationals have an opportunity to understand and collaborate with persons from different cultures. Benefits of inviting world class HEIs go beyond education provision
Good Practices Identified Current QA networks which could be utilized to represent a wide number of many countries and their common views Sharing experience and knowledge through utilizing regional and international reviewers Referencing of NQF (ensures thorough comparison of systems) CBHE QA by exporter (having a branch QA office in the importer premises) Reaching a point of Quality Enhancement
Good Practices Identified Conducting Joint Reviews Bologna process and EHEA guidelines Developing MoUs with some international agencies Development of a Charter of Collective Requirements for some Qualifications to ensure alignment with QA requirements in both countries
Recommendations & Outcomes of the Gulf Regional Seminar Sharing information, knowledge and experience transparently mutual utilization of review outcomes between QAA od exporter and importer Emphasize on QA networks role to ensure such representation and experience QAA External Reviews to build mutual trust Working Groups that involves stakeholders (networks and regulatory bodies)
Recommendations & Outcomes of the Gulf Regional Seminar Utilize aligning the CBHE process procedure with national and international guidelines Improving Collaboration between QAA and institutions/stakeholders and adopting partnership approach Staff development and capacity building
Recommendations & Outcomes of the Gulf Regional Seminar Ensure that there is an appropriate MoU developed and implemented Development of national and regional qualifications frameworks and encourage referencing exercise
Thank You