Building a Competitive Higher Education System for the Knowledge Economy Dead Sea, 11 February 2007 the future of higher education? a brave new world? n social and economic progress is achieved principally through the advancement and application of knowledge World Development Report 1998/99 are tertiary education systems ready? outline of the presentation... changing education & training needs building a competitive higher education system changing education and training needs n higher skill levels Female Male relative earning gaps are increasing South Korea and Brazil % 3% 17% 49% 42% 9% 18% 55% 26% % 14% 2% 87% 9% 4% 78% 14% 8% Source: Barro-Lee changing education and training needs n higher skill levels n flexibility to adapt to change Conclusin changes in job task-skill demands in the USA (1960 1998) Source: Autor, Levy, and Murnane (2003) The Skill Content of Recent Technological Change: An Empirical Exploration, Quarterly Journal of Economics. OECD Average PISA results for selected countries acceleration of speed of creation of new knowledge changing education and training needs n higher skill levels n flexibility to adapt to change n need for continuing education from innocence to wisdom Framework for Lifelong Learning Learning Systems Formal Learning 80 AGE 0 AGE Informal Learning Non-Formal Learning university of the future? postgraduate studies first degree continuing education changing education and training needs n higher skill levels n flexibility to adapt to change n need for continuing education n learning to learn and unlearn continuously new pedagogical approaches n focus on learning tailored to needs of individuals rather than teaching n new and varied modalities for learning: interactive & collaborative learning when you want where you want new pedagogical approaches n focus on learning tailored to needs of individuals rather than teaching n new and varied modalities for learning: interactive & collaborative learning n reliance on advanced education technology in appropriate ways new pedagogical approaches n focus on learning tailored to needs of individuals rather than teaching n new and varied modalities for learning: interactive & collaborative learning n reliance on advanced education technology in appropriate ways n representation of knowledge and concept in multiple ways n teacher as guide and facilitator In the early twenty-first century, people will be able to study what they want, when they want, where they want, and in the language they prefer, electronically. Peter Knight, July 1994 outline of the presentation... changing education & training needs building a competitive higher education system what it takes n world class n vision n financial sustainability n flexibility ethics Notwithstanding their achievements, are Jordanian universities perceived as having achieved world class status? International league tables give proxy measure of competitive position of universities F Times Higher Education Supplement F Jiao Tong University (Shanghai) Shanghai 2005 ranking of research universities u first 100 universities: 16 countries (OECD + Russia) u : Singapore, Korea, Belgium, Brazil, Taiwan, China, Spain, Mexico u : Czech, Hong Kong, Ireland, Greece, New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, Hungary u : India, Poland, Chile u : Turkey, Portugal n The highest ranked universities in the world are the ones that: F make significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge through research F teach with the most innovative curricula and pedagogical methods F make research an integral component of undergraduate teaching F produce graduates who stand out because of their success in intensely competitive arenas n Universiti Teknologi Malaysias definition of a world class university: F culture of excellence as a learning organization (meritocracy, exploration and creativity) F top notch staff members F financially able and well equipped F smart partnership with industry and other stakeholders F exemplary reputation and credibility (research excellence and quality of graduates) F high quality student intake what does it mean to be world class? n research universities or all types of tertiary institutions? n every institution, a select few, some programs? n integration of higher education into national innovation strategy n beware of regional imbalances what it takes n world class n vision vision n Oulu University n Clemson University evolution of Nokia sales Clemson University n land grant university focused on agricultural and mechanical crafts n changing region n strategic partnership with BMW to become premier automotive and sports car research U n Aims to become # 20 what it takes n world class n vision n financial sustainability what it takes n world class n vision n financial sustainability n flexibility flexibility n ability to react and adapt rapidly n good feedback mechanisms Catholic University of Peru n diminishing student demand n problem: geographical location n solution: building a new campus in better part of the city n feedback from alumni and employers: poor quality n strategic plan to improve quality and relevance feedback mechanisms n quality assurance u self-assessment and external evaluation u assessment of student learning n employers and alumni surveys to measure labor market outcomes n rankings flexibility n ability to react and adapt rapidly n good feedback mechanisms n close linkages with the economic environment linkages with the productive sectors n board with external representatives n practitioners as part-time professors n internships n program advisory committees n corporate training n entrepreneurship leadership team flexibility n ability to react and adapt rapidly n good feedback mechanisms n close linkages with the economic environment n open system the Credit Bank System in Korea n open educational system n recognition of learning acquired in-school and out- of-school n degree granting n fully recognized degrees graduation ceremony at the Korean Credit Bank what it takes n world class n vision n financial sustainability n flexibility ethics ethical dimensions n admission requirements n false institutional affiliation n conflict of interest in research n rules for fund raising n environmental responsibility conclusion the brick university the click university competing in the learning society... what is your vision? n Strategic vision u how many world class universities? u which ones should be selected, and how should they be selected? u integration of higher education into national innovation strategy u articulation with primary and secondary education