27 January 2009
International Higher Education Partnerships Conference
The million+ report, “Universities and International Higher Education Partnerships – making a difference” was launched at a conference on the 27 January 2009.
Overseas delivery currently accounts for 200,000 international students following UK higher education programmes. By 2010 it is likely that demand for trans-national education will be greater than for international students seeking an overseas campus based experience, meaning that successful international partnerships between higher education institutions are going to be vital to the sector.
Professor Les Ebdon CBE Chair of million+ and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire chaired the day.
Professor Robin Middlehurst presented her findings from her recent study commissioned by Million+ of the international higher education partnerships of 28 universities.
The report generated some media coverage.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/27/international-universities
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=405185&c=1
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20090130102345617
Download the report:
http://www.millionplus.ac.uk/v2009/file_download/7/INT_PARTNERSHIPS_summaryReportfinal_003.pdf
See million+ press release:
http://www.millionplus.ac.uk/v2009/news/new-report-demonstrates-strength-and-value-of-uk-universities-transnational-education-partnerships-but-urges-government-to-do-more
The conference was well attended and brought together Vice-chancellors, Pro Vice-Chancellors, Heads of International Offices, government officials and other senior higher education representatives concerned with international strategic developments. The conference was supported by DIUS, UKTI, Research Councils UK, the British Council, The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education and UUK’s international Unit.
David Willetts MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills gave the keynote address, stressing the importance of the international agenda and highlighting ways in which his party would ensure that the full potential of the sector was maximised.
Professor Sir Drummond Bone set out additional context for the research. He outlined his recent Internationalisation report for the Secretary of State as part of the Shape and Structure review of Higher Education, commissioned by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
Professor Ian Diamond will provided a view from the Research Councils of the links between trans-national partnerships and research.
As well as key note speeches from a range of well respected individuals from the sector four workshops were held to explore the issues in more depth. Workshops were held on distance learning, research, capacity building and knowledge transfer.
Dr Madeleine F. Green, Vice President for International Initiatives from the American Council on Education ended the day with an international perspective and an insight into the progress of the US on the agenda.
million+ will now be raising the recommendations of the report with Government departments and decision makers to ensure that the important findings do not go unnoticed.