Hedda Blog

Marginson, S. and Wende, M.C. van der recently released an OECD/CERI Education Working Paper, "Globalisation and Higher Education".
From the CHEPS website,
"This working paper explores the issues for national policy and for individual institutions. Part I provides an overview of globalisation and higher education and the global responses of national systems and individual institutions of higher education. Part II is focused on certain areas of policy with a strong multilateral dimension: Europeanisation, institutional rankings and typologies and cross-border mobility."

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The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) has several on-going projects related to Higher Education. Here are a few projects that might interest you:

- E-learning in Post-secondary Education and Training
- The Future of Higher Education
- Guidelines for Quality Provision in Cross-border Higher Education
- Higher Education and Regions
- Internationalisation and Trade in Higher Education
- Thematic Review of Tertiary Education

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As public funding declines and the cost of higher education increases, funding higher education continues to be a growing concern around the world. According to a report, The Global State of Higher Education and the Rise of
Private Finance, released in August 2007 by the U.S. based Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) private funding of higher education around the globe has grown significantly. Between 1995 and 2003, private financing of higher education has grown by 5 per cent, including tuition fees, philanthropy, and industry collaborations. IHEP has found that the prime reasons for the rise in private funding is that more people are obtaining higher education degrees (an increase in private demand) and more people are willing to invest in higher education (economic private returns).

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According to China Daily, Peking University recently published the results of a one-year study of 76 Chinese public universities and colleges. The results of the study showed that public universities and colleges have encumbered large debts and depend heavily on bank loans and government funds. Most of the income these institutions bring in goes directly to pay the interest of the loans. In March, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences released a report that combined the debt of China's public higher education institutions and unveiled the combined sum of 15-20 billion yuan (1.4-1.9 billion Euro) in 2005. China Daily reported that the Chinese university mergers, initiated by the government to make "supersize" higher education institutions, have caused the debt to increase rapidly as there is more need to expand the infrastructure to acommodate the growing number of students.

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A new publication edited by Peter Maassen and Johan P. Olsen, European Integration and the Knowledge Institution, was released in June 2007. The book explores the political momentum, reform pressure, and the vision of European higher education through the Lisbon Strategy and the Bologna Process.

The book is a result of an international cooperation, and in addition to the two editors, Peter Maassen and Johan P. Olsen, Harry de Boer, Åse Gornitzka, Guy Neave, Thorsten Nybom, Carlo Salerno and Bjørn Stensaker, have contributed.

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Once Upon a Time in Europe
By: Kreangchai Rungfamai, HEEM student

Being an Erasmus Mundus student in the Higher Education Programme has been one of the greatest opportunities in my life. I have learned so many things, not only academically but also socially and culturally, from studying in three different countries and three different universities. I made lots of friends from various nationalities. It was not easy for me to understand how people from other cultures perceive things around them., as I come from a strong Thai background. Anyway, I finally do more understand how people from different backgrounds. Socially, I learn how to adjust and adapt myself with my new friends and new cultures. Of course, this is quite difficult for a stubborn person like me. And this is the first time in my life to cook for myself. Well, I had to bear to eat my cooking. Academically, I studied with lecturers from different academic backgrounds and nationalities. I like it a lot even though sometimes I do not agree what they say, but this is not a big deal. This is because there is no a right or wrong answer. It is just a different perspective. Personally, European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), has been one of the successful projects for European Union in term of higher education. I really like this idea and am impressed how they put it into practice. Finally, but not the last, with my financial background, I would not have been here in Europe. I am lucky to have received a scholarship to study in three countries and, more importantly, have lots of friends from all over the world is something that I will never forget.

Kreangchai Rungfamai will begin his second year in the Erasmus Mundus HEEM programme in October 2007. He has a Bachelor's degree in both Economics and Political Science from Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand. Prior to joining this programme Kreangchai was a vendor at night markets for several years before receiving a Taiwanese scholarship to study in Taiwan for one year. He studied at the Institute of Social Research and Cultural Studies at National Chiao Tung University.

Posted by Hedda blog administrator at 08:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Memoirs of the Bridge
By: Jacquiline Kiyemba, HEEM Alumna

The joy of studying abroad in three different countries in Europe was overwhelming and a dream come true, but quite an awakening experience about realities of life far away from home. Standing in the middle of a bridge, on a rainy day, with no map, and not a clue which direction to go was quite an unpleasant situation yet an awakening experience and memorable on my arrival in Norway as an Erasmus Mundus student. Those who have lived at Sogn student village in Oslo or been at Ullevål stadion must be familiar with the peculiar red bridge. Many of us are also familiar with the famous bridge at University of Oslo at Blindern which no one could, even if they wanted to, miss to use back and forth in a semester. A journey begun at University of Oslo through University of Tampere and University of Aveiro seemed like crossing different bridges in my academic career as a HEEM student.

With hindsight, Erasmus Mundus created bridges in my life that enabled me gain enormous experience each time I crossed from one country, university to another. The challenges encountered, interactions made, diverse cultures appreciated, ideas shared, people met, foods tasted, the weather partly enjoyed and grudgingly accommodated, the life skills learned- map reading, packing luggage, walking on snow, will always remain part of me for the rest of my life. An academic journey as a HEEM student enabled me get deeper views and critical understanding in the field of higher education and lessons learnt and ideas embraced will always be stock in trade all throughout my life.

Approaching a new bridge to cross now- one to the labour market is quite an amazing one yet a puzzle. Many of us would still ask which direction to go. With no map of what west or east is like, neither north nor south. But in my logic, with certainty, experiences from Erasmus Mundus will always flash rays of light in directions to take and ideas to employ that will make the future brighter and full of opportunity. What a greater armory than two years ago before I crossed that first bridge!

So, long live Erasmus Mundus Programme.

Jacquiline works as a research assistant at AH Consulting in Uganda. Prior to joining the HEEM Programe, Jacquiline had been working with the Sustainable Development Centre in Kampala as an education researcher and as a part-time teacher at Homeland Integrated School in Uganda. She holds a BA degree in History and Religious training, A PGDE in Education, and has completed the HEEM Master's programme.

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A Journey of a Newlywed Couple in Europe!
By: Muhammad Adnan Mughul, HEEM Student

My life changed with a blink of an eye! I didn't even realize how quickly it all happened. In May 2006, I received the news that I have been awarded the Erasmus Mundus scholarship and, soon after this, on 21st of July, I got married to Kiran. We exchanged our vows in front of over 600 delighted relatives and family friends in a beautiful garden of our home town in Hyderabad, Pakistan. It was a day to remember - a day of pampering and a touch of class! Within 20 days of our marriage we arrived in Oslo, the famous greenest town in Europe. For us it was like a fairy tale, a dream come true. As a newly wedded couple, everything was new and green to us! I never thought that I would be spending my unforgettable and a never ending "honeymoon" in Europe.

Kiran is a lovely girl and is more than a wife to me. She is a very good friend. We are done with the loving part, now it's more than that. It is trust, understanding, and compromises in marriage. No doubt she is very cooperative and I must say that she takes great care of me. In Oslo, we were living in a one bedroom apartment in Kringsha Studentby, where we have had spent a memorable time and enjoyed every bit of a second. In December 2006, we left for the UK and spent most beautiful and unforgettable days of our lives in London.

We moved to Finland in January 2007 and shifted in a two bedroom 'unfurnished' family apartment in TOAS, Hervanta. I remember how disturbed we were but thanks to our Finnish tutors (Heidi and Janne) who helped us in arranging the furniture, which made our startup life easier. Tampere is a beautiful city and we survived in the extreme cold weather (-35C) while embracing each other and waiting for the coldness to fade. Besides studying and attending to the lectures, I spend my time with my wife, may it be going out for fun, shopping, cooking or visiting and inviting friends at home. We have also accepted the Finnish challenge and went for the Sauna with our friends, which was a terrific new experience. In April, we visited Stockholm, Sweden via LoveBoat cruise, which was an awesome and romantic trip!

Overall, my life in Europe is fun and exciting because I have Kiran who is my real source of inspiration and understands a lot. It is also fun because I have my HEEM friends and teachers who are always there to help and support me. So far, we have spent a great time of joy and shared our eternal love with each other. In September, we will be moving to Portugal and looking forward to experience a whole new adventure in Aveiro.

Adnan worked as a Vice-Principal for two years at Sindh Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital in Pakistan. Additionally, he was also teaching a course on Speech Communication at this college, and for his contribution towards the cause of community education and welfare he was awarded the ‘Great Vice Principal’ shield from the college student union. Prior to joining the HEEM Programme, Adnan had been working in his family’s printing and publication firm as an Executive Director. He hold’s a BA degree with major in Economics and International Relations and an MBA degree in Management from the University of Sindh, Pakistan. He also possesses a certificate in Web Development, and has created a number of websites.

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France's 85 public universities will be granted greater autonomy over the next five years. In late July, the French National Assembly approved a bill, "For a New University," allowing universities more control over finances and personnel hiring decisions. The bill went through various amendments before passing, after austere criticism from students and opposition Nicolas Sarkozy postponed introducing the bill until acceptable amendments were made. The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that the Conference of University Presidents released a statement endorsing the bill's passage,"[It will] allow all universities and higher-education institutions to acquire new powers for the benefit of students, research, and the development of our country."

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The new European Institute of Technology (EIT), to be launched in 2008 by the European Commission, has put out a call for proposals. According to the website, "This call for proposals aims at establishing pilot networks that will design, implement and test new models of integrated partnerships between the actors involved in technological innovation and transfer (such as universities, research organisations, small, medium-sized and large companies, innovation centres, etc.)" The deadline for proposals is August 31, 2007.

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