Sharing information on IAU activities and higher education in the world

Vol. 9, No 9, November 2012

IAU activities - News/Opportunities from around the World

IAU is sad to announce the passing of Prof. Pier Ugo Calzolari, former Rector of the University of Bologna. He was elected to the IAU Administrative Board in 2008 and acted as Vice-President and Treasurer of the Association. He also chaired a joint IAU-MCO Working Group which, during the past 2 years, worked on draft Guidelines for an Institutional Code of Ethics in Higher Education. Prof. Pier Ugo Calzolari brought with him not only his expertise, but also his wisdom and he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife and family, as well as to his friends and colleagues. He passed away on October 11, 2012. CONFERENCES General Conference Less than 30 days to go! Register now for the IAU 14th General Conference on Higher Education and the Global Agenda to debate on alternative paths to the future and how higher education can shape that future. More than 60 renowned speakers from around the world will speak at this event to trigger lively discussions among a wide range of HE leaders and other stakeholders. The full and abbreviated programmes are available online in English and French. Register here Electronic registration closes on November 19, onsite registration starts on 27 November. For more information: e.boisfer@iau-aiu.net GMA 5 The International Association of Universities (IAU) and the Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK) are pleased to announce that the IAU 5th Global Meeting of Associations (GMA V) will be held from 25-26 April, 2013 at the The Lowry, Salford Quays, Manchester (UK). The theme of this edition of the GMA is Institutional Diversity in Higher Education: Advantage or Threat for Associations? More information will be available soon so do not hesitate to visit the IAU website regularly and in the meantime, please mark the dates! ACTIVITIES Internationalization IAU has signed a partnership agreement with the British Council in support of the 4th Global Survey on Internationalization of Higher Education. The British Council will provide IAU with in-kind support in the development and dissemination of the online survey instrument, to be sent to approximately 8,000 higher

education institutions around the world in March 2013. This IAU-BC partnership is in addition to the agreement IAU has signed with NAFSA regarding the 4th Global Survey. It is likely to sign agreements with other international organizations in the near future (to be announced on the IAU website!). In a relatively short time, the IAU Global Survey on Internationalization has developed into a recognized and much valued source of information and analysis on this important area of higher education policy, offering data and insights on trends and developments from around the world. The Association hopes to see many more universities complete the questionnaire when it is distributed next year. LEADHER The third and last 2012 LEADHER competition closed on 15 September 2012. Among the six submissions received, the Selection Committee selected four projects. One of the selected project will start in 2012 with a first learning visit scheduled for November, while the three other projects will be undertaken during 2013. Details of the results will be available on the IAU website on 1st November 2012. PUBLICATIONS New in HEDBIB, October 2012 The October 2012 edition of New in HEDBIB has been published. New in Hedbib contains full references of newly entered publications into HEDBIB, the International Bibliographic Database on Higher Education published and maintained by the IAU. IAU Representation EUA Doctoral Week: Global perspectives, Funding of Doctoral Education and Quality Assurance, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, 23-27 September 2012 Dr vant Land, IAU Director, Membership and Programme Development, took part in the EUA CODOC (Cooperation on Doctoral Education between Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe) final dissemination Conference which presented the report and explained trends in doctoral education in Asia, Latin America, Southern Africa and Europe. Participants from across the world examined the projects findings and discussed trends in doctoral education in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Dr vant Land led the break-out session on capacity building. See her presentation here. Patricia Pol, Universit Paris Est Creteil, Evaluation Agency for Research and Higher Education (AERES), France and IAU Board Member took part in the ARDE (Accountable Research Environments for Doctoral Education) Workshop, a concluding event of an EUA-coordinated project on quality management in doctoral education, supported by the European Commissions Lifelong Learning Programme. The workshop allowed to engage in discussions on the topic, share good practices with the different actors in the field, and present the initial outcomes of the project. P. Pol presented on Managing quality in doctoral education: towards a specific framework? See her presentation here. http://www.eua.be/Newsletters/newsletter-18-2012.aspx International Higher Education Events in Melbourne, Australia, 1-5 October 2012 IAU Secretary-General Eva Egron-Polak attended two events in Melbourne, Australia in early October. Invited as an independent observer, she took part in the first UK-Universities Australia Policy Dialogue entitled Beyond competition which brought together a number of UK and Australian Vice Chancellors and other delegates to discuss how specific higher education areas in the two countries could collaborate. This led institutional leaders to realize that they would gain much from sharing experiences about the institutional impact of various reform policies. Other areas for possible collaboration were also explored, noting though that competition for students and partnerships may continue to be strong. http://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au/page/policy---advocacy/international/australia-uk-policy-dialogue/

Eva Egron-Polak also spoke at and chaired a session during the Australian International Education Conference entitled International Education in the Asian Century. Many workshops and plenary sessions during this well-attended conference focused on the current and future place of Australia in Asia and the role that education played in defining this position. The IAU Secretary-General presented the IAU Call for Action: Affirming Academic Values in Internationalization of Higher Education and chaired the presentation of the new Australian document entitled Principles to promote and protect human rights of international students (See also under Australia) http://www.aiec.idp.com/home.aspx International Conference on University Leadership for Integrating Knowledge Diversity for Sustainability, Albukhary international University, Alor Setar, Malaysia, 5-8 October 2012 The IAU Director, Membership and Programme development took part in this three-day Conference, a follow-up to a previous international event entitled Decolonising our Universities. Presentations focused on the significance of indigenous knowledge and its integration in higher education; what is being taught in universities today and from which perspectives; the role of university leadership in integrating knowledge diversity for sustainability in higher education. It questioned the science basis on which higher education is being developed in most countries worldwide, while advocating for an in-depth revision and critical analysis of the origins of knowledge as used today. Proceeding will be published in early 2013. http://multiworldindia.org/aiu-conference/ OECDs AHELO Stakeholders Meeting, October 19, 2021, Paris, France This was the 5th and perhaps final Stakeholders Consultative Group meeting as the AHELO (Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes) feasibility study comes to its completion. The ACER Consortium which has played a central role in developing and testing the instruments for assessing and comparing learning outcomes in Engineering, Economics and Generic Skills reported on its findings and conclusions to date, though its final report is expected in December. 17 countries, 250 universities and some 25,000 students took part in the feasibility study. In response to numerous questions raised by representatives of various groups of stakeholders, such as students, trade unions, higher education institutions, accreditation organizations and others, Deborah Roseveare, Head of the Skills Beyond Schools Division at OECD explained that the future of the AHELO study would only be decided after the final report of the Consortium was available and further discussions of the project that would take place at an AHELO Conference to be held in Paris from 11 to 21 March 2013. She underlined, as did the Consortium, that while the feasibility study demonstrated that some aspects of the assessments were possible, others required more work, especially to properly account for contextual differences. She also conceded that more clarity with regard to the overall purpose of the project would be needed. Finally, she stressed the complexity and the numerous challenges of the project, not least of which was the need for on-going funding. http://www.oecd.org/education/highereducationandadultlearning /testingstudentanduniversityperformancegloballyoecdsahelo.htm EU strategy on global dimension of higher education On October 25, Patricia Pol, IAU Board Member and Eva Egron-Polak were invited to take part in day-long meeting organized by the EU Commission as it prepares a new Communication outlining the EU strategy on the global dimension of higher education. The meeting brought together approximately 100 people representing various stakeholder groups and the discussion was structured around five questions. These concerned the place of mobility alongside other instruments within internationalization strategies; how to balance Europes interests to attract talent with the need to support less developed nations and avoid brain drain; how to promote the European Higher Education Area in a context of competition among European

nations and institutions; what priorities should such an EU strategy have and how can the EU stimulate internationalization at the national and institutional levels. Participants, representing various stakeholder groups made suggestions and comments The Communication is expected to be ready in the first semester of 2013 and will have an impact on the next generation of EU programs within the framework of Erasmus for All. IAU had shared with the EU Commission the document Affirming Academic Values in Internationalization of Higher Education: A Call for Action and took part in the discussion in line with the principles of this statement. We will continue to monitor the development of the policy and will disseminate information about it as it becomes available. For detailed information on these activities, contact us at: iau@iau-aiu.net More on the Association at: http://www.iau-aiu.net

2012 Conferences: November 27-30: IAU General Conference on Higher Education and the Global Agenda, Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA Workshops: December 6-7: IAU Collaborative Workshop: A three-step activity to discuss links between higher education (HE) and Education for All (EFA) locally, Tribhuvan University, Nepal (by invitation only) 2013 Conferences: April 24-26: IAU Global Meeting of Association (GMA V) on Institutional Diversity in Higher Education: Strength or Threat for Associations?, organized in collaboration with NCUK - The Northern Consortium, University of Salford, UK Workshops: January 24-25: IAU Collaborative Workshop: A three-step activity to discuss links between higher education (HE) and Education for All (EFA) locally, University of Nairobi, Kenya (by invitation only)

News from our Members at: http://www.iau-aiu.net/news-from-members Calendar of events at: http://www.iau-aiu.net/content/global-calendar

UNESCO: Sustainable Development A Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Rio+20 and beyond Panel was held on 4 October 2012. UNESCO Chairs in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) from Costa Rica, Germany and Sweden gathered to discuss the outcomes and follow-up of the recent UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) regarding ESD and higher education; to share good ESD practices; to investigate how universities could contribute to promoting sustainable development; and, to discuss the contribution of higher education to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development until 2014 and beyond. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/education-events/?tx_browser_pi1[showUid]=7330& cHash=e145cc863a UNESCO: Educational Technology; Mobile Learning UNESCO continues its Series on Mobile Learning initiated earlier this year with the release of Mobile Learning and Policies: Key Issues to Consider. It explains the context of mobile learning development, exposes UNESCOs working definition of it, investigates the relation with existing ICT in education policies, presents a set of guiding principles for creating mobile learning policies, and identifies and discusses the key issues related to mobile learning. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002176/217638E.pdf UNESCO: Access to Education The 2012 Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report was officially launched on 16 October 2012. Subtitled Youth and Skills - Putting Education to Work, the publication takes stock of the progress made towards the six EFA Goals over the past year before discussing the growing need for skills development and acquisition, benefits in terms of poverty and unemployment reduction, and also existing barriers and policy actions. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002175/217509e.pdf UNESCO Bangkok: Educational Reform; Admission; Educational Outcomes UNESCO Bangkok has released Student Learning Assessment. It provides an overview of national and international student learning assessments practices in the Asia-Pacific region in order to nurture reflection on regional trends, emerging challenges for developing countries, reform and alternative forms of assessments. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002178/217816E.pdf UNESCO Instituto de Educacin Superior de Amrica Latina y el Caribe (IESALC): Mobility Organised by the Observatorio Nacional de Internacionalizacin de la Educacin Universitaria and IESALC, the first meeting of the National Observatories took place on 6 and 7 September 2012 at the University of Cuyo, Argentina. Its aim was to elaborate a work plan between the observatories in order to contribute to a better understanding and dissemination of processes of educational integration in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, it aimed at exchanging mobility experiences and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the public policies on academic and scientific mobility. http://www.uncu.edu.ar/relacionesinternacionales/novedades/index/primer-encuentro-de-observatoriosnacionalesenmarcados-en-el-obsmac-iesalc-unesco (in Spanish) UNESCO/ European Union (EU): Educational Cooperation EU and UNESCO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost cooperation and dialogue and to share information and best practices in a number of priority areas of mutual interest, including education.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-12-1077_en.htm?locale=en

Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF): Francophone Courses ; Asia AUF has released Bilan des formations francophones en Asie du Sud-Est. The booklet presents all Francophone courses/programmes available in the Asian region. http://www.auf.org/publications/bilan-des-formations-francophones-en-asie-sud-est/ (in French) Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU): Science Administration; Africa; Caribbean As part of the project to improve Research and Innovation Management for Africa and the Caribbean (RIMI4AC), ACU held a two-day conference in October 2012 on Tailoring Research Management for the Regional Context. It brought together research managers from the UK and developing country universities and representatives from UK funding bodies. http://www.acu.ac.uk/member_services/professional_networks/research_management/rimi4ac Commonwealth of Learning (COL): OER COL has released the following reports: - Perspectives on Open and Distance Learning: Open Educational Resources and Change in Higher Education: Reflections from Practice, which comprises contributions on Open Educational Resources (OER) practices and policy and progress made since the UNESCO 2009 World Conference on Higher Education, with a particular focus on developing countries. http://www.col.org/PublicationDocuments/pub_PS_TeacherEd_web.pdf - Exploring the Business Case for Open Educational Resources, which builds on a literature review and several case studies to discuss the economic aspect of OER and their potential efficiency in reducing costs relating to course design, textbook publishing, open access (scientific and scholarly) publishing, and how they foster alternative accreditation models. http://www.col.org/resources/publications/Pages/detail.aspx?PID=421 Education International (EI): Academic Teaching Personnel; Educational Administration The conclusions of EI 8th International Conference on Higher Education and Research which took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 25 to 27 September 2012 are available. Representatives of higher education and research unions discussed key trends in the sector and the way to develop strategies to defend the profession and counter the pressures of austerity, commercialisation and privatisation. In their conclusions, the participants recommended that the EI executive board adopt the Policy Statement on Tuition Fees and agreed to hold next Conference in Africa in 2014. http://download.ei-ie.org/Docs/WebDepot/Conference%20Conclusions%202.pdf International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE): Call for Participation; Quality Assurance INQAAHE has launched a call for proposals for the preparation of research papers or essays on new modes for quality assurance (QA) in well-developed systems; independence of QA decisions; diversity of approaches to institutional and academic programme QA; external QA and its impact on internal quality management; and impact of international accreditation on newly developing systems. Deadline: 15 December 2012. http://www.inqaahe.org/admin/files/assets/subsites/1/documenten/1347463654_inqaahe-call-for-research-

projects-2012.pdf Open Society Foundations: Open Access The Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) + 10 reaffirms the ends and means of the original BOAI and sets the new goal that in ten years, OA will become the default method for distributing research in every field and country. http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/openaccess/boai-10-recommendations Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): Regional Development The OECD Roundtable on Higher Education in Regional and City Development 2012: Universities for skills, entrepreneurship, innovation & growth took place in Paris, France from 19 to 21 September 2012. Built on the Reviews of Higher Education in Regional and City Development, it focused on how universities and other higher education institutions could help cities and regions to become leaders in the global knowledge economy and pioneers of stronger, fairer and greener development. It brought together 140 participants from higher education, local/regional and national governments and agencies, business and industry and civil society. http://www.oecd.org/edu/imhe/oecdroundtableuniversitiesforskillsentrepreneurshipinnovationgrowthpreliminaryagenda.htm Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): Education and Innovation The OECD has published Tertiary Education: Developing Skills for Innovation and Long-Term Growth in Canada (September 2012). This Working Paper suggests different measures to improve the Canadian tertiary education system such as flexibility of moves between institutions, a better use of immigration, the integration of skills training in tertiary education programmes or the re-evaluation of tuition policies in provinces encountering financial difficulties. http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/tertiary-education_5k92pghq4247-en Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): Education and Innovation The OECD has released the Summary Report of the India-OECD Collaborative Workshop on Education and Innovation, held in New Delhi, India from 9 to 10 May 2012. Organised in collaboration with the OECD Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI), the Planning Commission, Government of India, and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the objectives of the workshop were: 1) to take stock of promising practices to foster the skills supporting innovation; 2) to start a discussion on the innovation ecosystem in the education sector in India; 3) to launch a collaboration with CERI. http://www.oecd.org/edu/ceri/EDU-CERI-CD%282012%2912.pdf Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF): Educational Policy The Ministerial Conference of French-Speaking Countries took place in Kinhasa, RDC, from 13 to 14 October 2012. It culminated in the Declaration of Kinshasa in which Title 3 addresses the French language, cultural diversity and education (including higher education). http://www.francophonie.org/Le-XIVe-Sommet-de-la-Francophonie,42435.html (in French) See also, the speech of the Rector of the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie at the event. http://www.auf.org/actualites/intervention-du-recteur-de-lauf-au-sommet-de-la-fr/ (in French) University for Peace (UPEACE): Open Repositories UPEACE has launched its Open Knowledge Network. It will make available some of the most relevant and timely research as well as teaching materials and other learning resources produced by UPEACE students, resident and visiting faculty and collaborators to all, under a Creative Commons licence. http://www.upeace.org/resources.cfm

United Nations (UN): Access to Education; Educational Quality; Citizenship On 26 September 2012, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, M. Ban Ki-moon, launched Education First, a global initiative aimed at remobilizing all stakeholders engaged worldwide and gather additional and sufficient funding to ensure that the Education for All Goals set for 2015 are reached. The three priorities of the five-year initiative are: Putting every child into school; Improving the quality of learning; and Fostering global citizenship. http://www.globaleducationfirst.org/

Africa African Development Bank (AfDB): Loans AfDB has signed its first private sector loan in Namibia. The loan will support a private company in its student loans programme. http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/article/afdb-signs-first-private-sector-loan-in-namibia-to-improveaccess-to-finance-and-open-doors-to-education-9815/ African Union (AU): Regional Universities The first meeting of the Pan-African University (PAU) Steering Committee took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in October 2012. The mandate of the Steering Committee is to oversee the process towards opening the first three PAU thematic Institutes in November 2012. The opening remarks of the Chairman of the Committee are available. http://appablog.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/auc-launches-the-pan-african-university-steering-committee/ http://www.au.int/ar/sites/default/files/Steering%20Committee%20Commisioner%20openig%20remarks.pdf African Virtual University (AVU): Vacancies AVU is looking for a Francophone Programme Officer; a Francophone ICT Officer; a senior OER Officer; a senior Education Programmes Coordinator; a Manager Technology, Teaching and Learning Resources; a Manager Academic Programme Development and Delivery; two Instructional Designers; and a Technical Lead and Implementation Coordinator of the Revised AVU Websites. Deadlines vary. http://www.avu.org/List/Employment-Opportunities/ Association of African Universities (AAU): Appointments Professor Etienne Ehile is the new Secretary-General of AAU. Prof. Ehile is a national from Cte dIvoire , a physiologist, and former President of AboboAdjam University. http://www.aau.org/?q=content/appointment-new-secretary-general Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa (ERNWACA): Research; Strategic Planning ENRWACA organized a workshop on the governance of university research and national innovation system in October 2012. It developed a national strategic plan for scientific research and technological innovation. http://www.ernwaca.org/web/spip.php?article996&id_rubrique=10 Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa (ERNWACA): Vacancies ERNWACA is looking for a Research Manager who will be responsible for coordinating training, research, communication, and publication activities and developing a partnership development strategy. http://www.ernwaca.org/web/spip.php?article985&id_rubrique=2

Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA): Regional Development SARUA has released Perspectives on Regional Identity and the Role of Higher Education in Southern Africa. It comprises the following chapters: Engaging universities in the regional integration project in Sothern Africa; Revitalization of higher education in Southern Africa: Key themes and issues for the attention of policy makers and university leadership; Conceptions of higher education, development-oriented social engagement and innovation in the SADC context; Regional identity for higher education in SADC and its implications for higher education governance, leadership and management; and Fostering a regional higher education identity in the SADC. http://www.sarua.org/?q=publications/perspectives-regional-identity-and-role-higher-education-southernafrica Americas Assembly of Rectors of Latin American and Caribbean Universities: Educational Trends The 5th Assembly of the Rectors of Latin American and Caribbean Universities took place in October 2012 at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It discussed the new role of Latin American universities, autonomy, the distance higher education area, and university rankings. http://www.uba.ar/comunicacion/noticia.php?id=3243 (in Spanish) Centro Interuniversitario de Desarrollo (CINDA): Quality Assurance Within the framework of the European Union project ALFA, CINDA has released Aseguramiento de la Calidad en Iberoamrica. Educacin Superior Informe 2012 which analyses the impact of quality assurance mechanisms in higher education in Latin America and proposes training content. http://www.cinda.cl/download/CINDA_2012_Informe_de_Educacion_Superior.pdf (in Spanish) Arab States Maison mditerranenne des Sciences de lHomme: Educational Reform The Revue des mondes musulmans et de la Mditerrane has released a special issue on Enseignement suprieur, pouvoirs et mondialisation dans le monde arabe (Higher education, powers and globalization in the Arab world), Issue 131, June 2012, in French and English. It presents a picture of the academic dynamics in the Arab world over the past decade. http://remmm.revues.org/7331 Asia Wawasan Open University (WOU): OER WOU organized a three-day Regional Symposium on Open Educational Resources: An Asian Perspective on Policy and Practices in Penang, Malaysia in September 2012. It focused on OER institutional policy and strategies; OER creation and use; OER integration; OER creation; and OER and quality assurance. http://www.oerasia.org/oersymposium Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU): Natural Disasters APRU organised its 8th Research Symposium on Multi-hazards around the Pacific Rim - entitled Towards Disaster-Resilient Societies: The Role of Universities in Reducing Risks of Catastrophic Natural Disasters at Tohoku University from 20 to 22 September 2012. http://www.apru.org/_files/symposiums/2012/ARPU%202012%20Multihazards%20Symposium_President%20Satomi.pdf

Europe Compostela Group of Universities (CGU): Educational Associations CGU held its General Council in September 2012 at the University of Oulu, Finland. Its theme was Embracing of Modernization Agenda in Higher Education. It addressed topics such as mobility and crossborder education, innovation, and internationalization and presented CGU activities. http://www.gcompostela.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=495&Itemid=263 Conference of Rectors and Presidents of European Universities of Technology: Universities of Technology The 31st Conference of Rectors and Presidents of European Universities of Technology took place at Istanbul Technical University on 21 and 22 September 2012. Its theme was HORIZON 2020 The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020. New Opportunities for Universities of Technology. Topics addressed included: Universities of technology as backbone of the European Research Area; Coping with Societal Challenges; Working with industry and for SMES; and Enhancing Europes attractiveness for excellent researchers. http://www.crp-eut.org/documents.htm#31 European Access Network (EAN): Access to Education EAN has just released the papers from its 20th Anniversary Conference which was held at VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Its theme was Student Diversity in Higher Education: Conflicting Realities. Tensions affecting policy and action to widen access and participation. http://www.ean-edu.org/upload_data/Amsterdam%202011/Amsterdam%20Conference%20Book %2C%202012%20edition.pdf European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE): Quality Assurance EURASHE held a Seminar on the Implementation of Internal (and External) Quality Assurance and of the ESG in HEIs from 27 to 28 September 2012 in Nicosia, Cyprus. It built on two themes: internal quality assurance (QA) processes and instruments for improvement, and implementation of the ESG for QA in the institutions. http://www.eurashe.eu/conferences-and-events/eurashe-seminars/qa-nicosia-2012/ European Centre for the Strategic Management of Universities (ESMU): Industry and Education; Regional Development ESMUs EU-Drivers Annual Conference took place in Brussels, Belgium on 20 September 2012. Its theme was Universities and Regional Innovation: From Policy to Practice Building Capacity for Collaborative Partnerships. It focused on the challenges involved in building and sustaining successful cross-sectoral partnerships between academic, business and public agencies to support regional innovation. http://www.eu-drivers.eu/component/content/article/90 European Commission: Open Access; Call for Participation The European Commission has launched a Public consultation on Opening up Education A proposal for a European Initiative to enhance education and skills development through new technologies. It addresses such issues as assessment of learning, quality frameworks, access to quality OER, teacher education and training, ICT infrastructures at education institutions, Intellectual Property Rights and open access to education materials. Deadline: 13 November 2012. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/consult/open_en.htm European Commission: Scientific Cooperation; International Cooperation; Regional Policy

The Commission adopted a Communication entitled Enhancing and Focusing EU International Cooperation in Research and Innovation: A Strategic Approach on 14 September 2012. It sets out a new strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation with a view to implementing Horizon 2020. http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/pdf /com_2012_497_communication_from_commission_to_inst_en.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=none European Educational Research Association (ECER): Educational Research The 2012 ECER Conference was held in Cadix, Spain in September 2012. Its theme was The Need for Educational Research to Champion Freedom, Education and Development for All. It analysed the role of educational research as means to ensure and enforce freedom and promote education and the comprehensive development of citizens worldwide. http://www.eera-ecer.de/ecer-programmes/search-programmes/ European Science Foundation (ESF): Science; Young Women; Video Competition; Call for Participation Linked to the European Commission campaign to encourage young women to choose science, ESF and Curt Rice are launching a video contest. The video should strive to encourage young women to choose science careers. http://www.esf.org/media-centre/ext-single-news/article/science-its-your-thing-video-contest-848.html European University Association (EUA): Doctoral Programmes An EUA Doctoral Week, composed of 3 events, was held from 23 to 27 September 2012 at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. The first event was the concluding workshop of the CODOC project that analyzed trends in doctoral education in Latin America, Southern Africa, East Asia and Europe. The second, the EUA Council for Doctoral Educations (EUA-CDE) Annual Meeting, focused on the issue of funding. The last event was part of the Accountable Research Environments for Doctoral Education (ARDE) project on how to manage quality in doctoral education. http://www.eua.be/Newsletters/newsletter-18-2012.aspx Eurydice: Educational Fees; Financial Aid Eurydice has published a report on National Student Fee and Support Systems 2011/2012. It contains an overview of the public fee and support systems (grants, loans, tax benefits for students parents and family allowances) in place in Europe for public or government-dependent private higher education institutions and their national characteristics, as well as planned reforms in a comparative perspective. http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/facts_and_figures/fees_and_support.pdf MENON Network: ICT; Educational Technology; Call for Participation The MENON Network is conducting the study Mapping and Analysing Prospective Technologies for Learning (MATEL) on behalf of the European Commissions Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS). The MATEL on-line stakeholders consultation is now reaching its conclusion with a final round calling experts to rank the top technologies that will support educational change in Europe across different learning sectors. http://www.menon.org/matel/ Network for the Development of Higher Education Management Systems (DEHEMS): Education and Employment; Graduates; Educational Management The 2nd DEHEMS International Conference on Employability of Graduates & Higher Education

Management Systems took place at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 27 to 28 September 2012. It studied which factors determined a graduates early career success, and how higher education management systems took employability data and surveys into account. http://www.dehems-project.eu/en/papers/ Inter-Regional Cooperation Canada/ Low and Middle Income Countries: Sustainable Development; Call for Participation The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) signed an agreement to invest in the International Partnerships for Sustainable Societies (IPaSS) on 3 October 2012. This new seven-year initiative will facilitate collaboration between researchers, students and public, private, and civil society organizations in Canada and low- or middleincome countries in four areas: Information and networks; Inclusive growth; Governance, security, and justice; and, Green growth. Deadline: 15 February 2013. http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Media/Pages/IDRC-and-SSHRC-Launch-iPaSS.aspx Ecuador/Spain: Academic Staff Mobility Academics in Spain have been approached by the Government of Ecuador to train its university teachers and open new areas of research. http://www.eluniverso.com/2012/10/06/1/1361/fuga-cerebros-ecuador-crisis-espana.html Europe/Canada: Educational Cooperation The Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA) organized the UNICA-European Network for Canadian Studies Rectors Seminar 2012 on Europe-Canada: The Future of Academic Cooperation in Brussels, Belgium, from 24 to 25 September 2012. It sought to strengthen the existing links between Canadian and European higher education institutions and develop new paradigms for collaboration. http://www.unica-network.eu/event/the-unica-encs-rectors-seminar-2012-%E2%80%9Ceurope-canadathe-future-ofacademic-cooperation%E2%80%9D-brussel Organization of American States (OAS)/Spain: Education and Society; Democracy OAS and the University of Salamanca, Spain have signed a strategic alliance of academic cooperation for the strengthening of democracy in Latin America. The actions laid out in the agreement include the participation of students, researchers and professors of the Latin American Institute of the University of Salamanca in Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs) of the OAS, the collaboration between research teams of the Institute and the OAS to develop joint research and educational activities, and the dissemination of experiences through joint publications. http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-334/12 UK/Africa: ICT The Africa Innovation Summit took place in Cape Town, South Africa from 5 to 7 October 2012. Organized by AfricaBrains, a corporation made up of managers who have worked in Africa and based in the UK, it addressed issues of education, ICT, science & technology, and research & development. http://africanbrains.net/video/innovation-africa-summit-5-7-oct-2012-cape-town-south-africa/ United States of America/Africa: Scientific Publications Dr Marc Cutright, Associate Professor in Counseling and Higher Education and Director of the Center for Higher Education of the University of North Texas, US, has been named editor of the African Higher

Education Review. http://www.coe.unt.edu/news/dr-marc-cutright-named-editor-african-higher-education-review

Algeria: Strategic Planning; Educational Policy The action plan of the government for higher education and research has been presented to the National Assembly. It includes actions to develop and improve the university network; quality; the number of professors; research programmes; university-industry relationship; student services; etc. http://www.elmouwatin.dz/spip.php?page=imprimer&id_article=5420 (in French) Angola: Educational Policy The President described the development of higher education in Angola and the government action for the sector at his ceremony of investiture which took place in September 2012. http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/201209270077.html Argentina: Distance Education The Universidad del Salvador organized the first International Congress on Distance Education in September 2012. It focused on the challenges, achievements and projections of distance education in Latin America. It presented the book Educacin a Distancia y Tecnologas: Lecturas desde Amrica Latina. http://congresoead.usal.edu.ar/ (in Spanish) Australia: Government Educational Bodies Responsibility for tertiary education has been transferred from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE), that will from now on host all information on policies, programmes and initiatives on its website. http://www.deewr.gov.au/Pages/Tertiary.aspx Australia: International Education; Educational Cooperation The Australian International Education Conference (AIEC), held in Melbourne from 2 to 5 October 2012, focused on International Education in the Asian Century. It addressed issues relating to the internationalisation of education, the role and opportunities for mutually enriching bilateral and multilateral collaboration in education, training and research between Asia, Australia and the rest of the world. http://www.aiec.idp.com/past_papers/2012.aspx Australia: International Education; Foreign Students; Human Rights On 4 October 2012, the Race Discrimination Commissioner launched the Principles to Promote and Protect the Human Rights of International Students, a guide for the implementation of human rights-based principles in order to enhance the safety and well-being of international students in Australia. It focuses on Enhancing the human rights of international students; Ensuring all international students have access to human rights and freedom from discrimination protections; Understanding the diverse needs of international students; Empowering international students during their stay in Australia. http://www.humanrights.gov.au/racial_discrimination/publications/international_students /international_students_principles.pdf Bahrain: Educational Trends The Ministry of Education, in association with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, USA),

organized the Forum on Higher Education 2012 under the title Higher Education for the 21st Century in Al Manamah from 8 to 10 October 2012. The Forum articulates with a series of work papers about current and future trends in higher education, quality assurance, assessment, etc. http://www.moe.gov.bh/en/ShowNews.aspx?record_no=5015 Bhutan: Graduates; Education and Employment The Ministry of Labour and Human Resources has published the Second Labour Market Guide for University Graduates, a tool to facilitate access to the job market for job seekers. Its four sections are: Employment and training opportunities; the Entrepreneurship Promotion Program; the University Graduate Internship Program; General labour market information. http://www.molhr.gov.bt/molhr_site/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/inside.pdf Burundi: Educational Reform The Minister of Higher Education and Research discussed the on-going higher education reform in an interview with a journalist of Jeune Afrique. http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Articleimp_JA2697p104-105.xml0_burundi-julien-nimubona-nos-diplomes-netaient-reconnus-nulle-part-ce-ne-sera-plus-le-cas.html (in French) Canada: Educational Technology; ICT The Conference of Rectors and Principles of Qubec Universities (CREPUQ) and its Pedagogy and Information and Communication Technologies Subcommittee (PICTS) have released a report entitled tude sur les modalits dapprentissage et les technologies de linformation et de la communication dans lenseignement (Study on learning methods and information technologies and communication in higher education) on 16 October 2012. This report presents the results of a study conducted in 2011 on students and instructors showing how information and communication technology (ICT) is used in university education in Qubec. Initials findings show that, although both populations are at ease with the use of computer technology, only 53% of students (against 86% of instructors) have a positive or very positive attitude towards the use of technology tools at university. http://www.crepuq.qc.ca/IMG/pdf/Rapport-Etude-TIC-Mai-2012-VF.pdf (in French) Canada: Government Educational Bodies The Ministre de lducation, du Loisir et du Sport (Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sport) is no longer responsible for higher education. A Ministre de l'Enseignement suprieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie (Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology) was created on 19 September 2012, headed by Pierre Duschene. http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/ens-sup/ (in French) Canada: Research; Evaluation The Council of Canadian Academies has published The State of Science Technology in Canada, 2012 (September 2012). It reports on the scientific disciplines and technological applications in which Canada excels in a global context. It focuses on research carried out in the higher education sector and in the not-forprofit and government sectors. http://www.scienceadvice.ca/uploads /eng/assessments%20and%20publications%20and%20news%20releases/sandt_ii /stateofst2012_fullreporten.pdf Chad: Educational Systems; Evaluation The President launched the first National Forum on Education on 6 September 2012. Experts, practitioners and other interested parties were asked to analyse the education system (including higher education), its

strength and failures, and propose adequate solutions. http://www.presidencetchad.org/affichage_news.php?id=413& titre=%20OUVERTURE%20DU%20PREMIER%20 FORUM%20NATIONAL%20SUR%20L%92EDUCATION (in French) Chile: Financial Aid; Student Loans; Educational Legislation A law that cuts interest rates on student loans has been passed. The new legislation, announced at the end of September 2012, reduces interest on loans for private university students from 6% to 2%. Once they secure employment, monthly repayments will amount to only 10% of the salary, a 40% reduction on what had previously been on the books. http://www.gob.cl/especiales/ley-que-otorga-beneficios-a-los-deudores-del-cae/ (in Spanish) Colombia: Education and Society; Scientific Innovations; Human Resources Development An international forum on science, technology and innovation for the transformation of Colombian society and sustainable human development took place at the Universidad El Bosque in September 2012. It studied perspectives that could help institutions to strengthen academic policies and the main obstacles universities faced in playing their role in the national science, technology and innovation system. http://www.ascun.org.co/?idcategoria=4977 (in Spanish) Comoros: Educational Policy The 8th national conference on education which took place in September 2012 discussed and made recommendations on issues related to the academic year 2012/2013 and examinations. http://www.alwatwan.net/index.php?home=actu.php&actu_id=4437 (in French) Cte dIvoire: Universities The Units regionales denseignement suprieur (URES) of Korhogo and Daloa will become universities and will be renamed University Peleforo Gon Coulibaly and University Jean Lorougnon Gud respectively. http://www.27avril.com/blog/culture-societe/education/cote-d-ivoire-enseignement-superieur-l-etat-creedeux-nouvelles-universites (in French) Finland: Science Finance; Social Responsibility An expert group, appointed by the Research and Innovation Council, has put forward a proposal for a comprehensive overhaul of state research institutes and research funding as of 2014. According to the proposal, research resources will be marshalled in order to increase their social effectiveness. http://vnk.fi/julkaisukansio/2012/j03-valtion-tutkimuslaitokset/PDF/fi.pdf France: Academic Achievement ; Undergraduates The Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental presented Russir la dmocratisation de l'enseignement suprieur : l'enjeu du premier cycle in September 2012. It coincided with the ministers presentation of her political orientations and 20 concrete actions to ensure students success in the first cycle of university studies. http://www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/cid61609/remise-de-l-avis-du-cese-sur-lademocratisation-de-l-enseignement-superieur.html (in French) France: Catholic Universities The Union des Etablissements dEnseignement suprieur catholique (UDESCA) has published Les Instituts catholiques en France : Atouts, apports et enjeux stratgiques on the assets, contribution and strategic policy issues of the Catholic institutions in France. It is the contribution of the Catholic universities to the

Assises de lenseignement suprieur et de la recherche launched by the French government in July 2012. http://www.fiuc.org/cms/NEWS_message_list.php?lang=ENG&code=NEWS&entry_id=1574 (in French) France: Sustainable Development The Confrence des Prsidents dUniversit (CPU) and the Confrence des Grandes Ecoles (CGE) have engaged in common research on sustainable development in higher education and research institutions. They published a joint contribution to the Assises de lEnseignement suprieur et de la Recherche in September 2012. http://www.cpu.fr/fileadmin/fichiers/Developpement_durable/VF_propositions_communes_CGE_ CPU_DD_assises_V180912_vf__2___2_revu_BP__3_.pdf (in French) India: Educational Policy; Education and Society The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released University and Society Issues and Challenges 2011, which contains the main recommendations of the vice-chancellors of central and state universities gathered in New Delhi, from 25 to 26 March 2011 for a national consultation on issues and possible approaches to future policy interventions. Topics addressed are: Access, equity, engagement and outcomes; Content and quality; Research and innovations; Faculty development and inter-university resource sharing; Internationalization in higher education; Alternative mode of delivery of higher education; Models of financing higher education; Good governance. http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/5492654_universityandsocity.pdf India: Educational Qualifications; Bachelors Degree Delhi University is currently reshaping its Bachelors degree. Changes include the possibility to exit at three different stages of the course and to complete one semester through the open learning mode but, most noticeably, the extension of its duration from 3 to 4 years in order to enable the award of an honours degree. Its introduction is scheduled for academic year 2013-2014. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-29/news/31475856_1_bsc-courses-honours-degree India: Statistics The Ministry of Human Resource Development has released the first Provisional Report of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), a project aimed at building a database that identifies all higher education institutions in the country and collecting data on various aspects of these institutions. The document contains countrywide estimates elaborated on the basis of data already collected before 31 July 2012. Statistics and indicators featured are: Enrolment by educational level at universities, colleges, and stand-alone institutions; national enrolment by educational level and gross enrolment ratio; the distribution of institutions according to location, management type, specialisation, education mode, minority and foreign participation. http://aishe.nic.in/aishe/pdfforms/All%20India%20Survey201011Book.pdf Kenya: Universities; Refugee Education Kenyatta University has opened a Campus in Dadaab, in Kenyas North Eastern Province, to reach the local population but also the 470,000 refugees in the region. It will welcome its first students in January 2013. http://dadabcamps.com/2012/10/10/unhcr-welcomes-the-establishment-of-dadaab-university/ Malaysia: Educational Policy The Ministry has released the Preliminary report of a Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013-2015) resulting from research carried out with input from education experts at UNESCO, World Bank, OECD, and six local universities to principals, teachers, parents, and students from every state in Malaysia. Three objectives were sought: Understanding the current performance and challenges of the Malaysian education system; Establishing a clear vision and aspirations for individual students and the education system as a whole over

the next 13 years; and Outlining a comprehensive transformation programme for the system. http://hornbillunleashed.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/preliminary-blueprint-english.pdf Mauritius: Education and Development; Economic and Social Development The Tertiary Education Commission held an International Conference on Higher Education and Economic Development from 3 to 5 September 2012. It discussed the role of higher education in fostering economic development. http://tec.intnet.mu/confpapers.php Mexico: Educational Policy The first Assembly of Higher Education Institutions took place in Guadalajara from 20 to 21 September 2012. It culminated with the Guadalajara Declaration which calls for: 1) the development of a strategic plan for higher education; 2) the inclusion of extraordinary programme support to strategic development areas in the regular budget of higher education institutions; 3) the establishment of a regulatory framework that defines budgetary limits. http://www.udual.org/asamblearegmex.html (in Spanish) Netherlands: Educational Organizations; Quality Assurance; Educational Strategies The Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie has published Strategy NVAO 2012-2016. It presents an overview of the most important developments in higher education in the Netherlands, Flanders and Europe, alongside to NVAO mission, values and positioning http://nvao.com/page/downloads/Strategy_NVAO_2012-2016.pdf Norway: Educational Budgets The education sector will receive NOK 1.9 billion in extra funding in 2013. This will result in additional places at universities and university colleges being maintained and investment to raise the quality of higher education and research. Overall, the budget proposal represents a 2.2 per cent increase in funding for research. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/press-contacts/Press-releases/2012/education-given-high-prioritynok-19-bil.html?id=701282 Peru: Educational Legislation The Rectors Conference was able to have article 7 removed from the education law. It allowed public universities to use resources granted for funding research and the refurbishing of laboratory and library equipment to pay for the increase in salaries of the academic staff. http://200.48.39.40/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=645:ya-no-tocaran-recursosdestinadosa-la-investigacion-y-al-equipamiento-para-el-aumento-de-sueldos-a-docentes&catid=40:cnoticias& Itemid=679 (in Spanish) Poland: Student Rights The Minister of Science and Higher Education and the Rectors Conference have signed the Student Charter. It was introduced as part of the higher education reform and guarantees the rights of the student as the supreme entity of the school. http://www.naukawpolsce.pap.pl/en/news/news,391977,ministry-of-science-student-charter-signed.html RDC: Educational Qualifications

A presentation of the new LMD (Licence-Master-Doctorate) system in Congo is available on the website of the Ministry of Higher Education. http://www.minesu.gouv.cd/spip.php?article437 (in French) Russia: Rankings The NTF-National Training Foundation held a Conference on Perspectives for Implementation of the Russian Higher Education Institutions Ranking System on 24 September 2012 in Moscow. It discussed the methodology, implementation, use, and role of a national ranking of higher education institutions. http://eng.ntf.ru/p107aa1detales8.html Spain: Educational Management The Universidad de Alcal is reducing the number of its faculties from 18 to 9 and from 43 to 23 the number of its departments. http://www.europapress.es/madrid/noticia-universidad-alcala-reduce-mitad-numero-facultadesdepartamentos-20121004183301.html (in Spanish) Spain: ICT; Teaching Methods; Educational Policy The Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) has published a report on ICT support to university teaching entitled Tendencias TIC para el apoyo a la Docencia Universitaria as well as Universitic 2012 which describes ICT policy and management within the higher education sector. http://www.crue.org/opencms/opencms/handle404?exporturi=/export/sites/Crue/Publicaciones/Documentos/ Tendencias_TIC/Tendencias_TIC_Docencia.pdf&%5d (in Spanish) http://www.crue.org/opencms/opencms/handle404?exporturi=/export/sites/Crue/Publicaciones/Documentos/ Universitic/UNIVERSITIC2012baja.pdf&%5d (in Spanish) Spain: Internationalization; Indicators On 4 October 2012, the ACUP and the Interuniversity Council of Catalonia (CIC) approved a list of indicators to analyse the internationalization of the Catalan public university system. This list will be used to build a database and help to improve the ranks of the Catalan universities in international rankings. http://www.acup.cat/en/noticia/approved-internationalization-indicators-catalan-public-university-system Sweden: Science Budgets The Swedish Government is investing in research and innovation to strengthen Swedens position as a prominent research nation in the long term. The new 2013 budget bill focuses on life sciences and the effort to translate research into new products and services. http://www.vinnova.se/en/misc/menues-functions/News/2012/120924Substantial-contribution-to-researchand-innovation-in-the-Swedish-2013-Budget-Bill/ Switzerland: Educational Associations The Swiss academic, specialised and pedagogical hautes coles announced their intention to create the swissuniversities association in November 2012. It will bring together the three Rectors conferences into a single body, as foreseen in the new Federal Law on the encouragement and coordination of the hautes coles. http://www.crus.ch/index.php?id=3186&L=1 (in French) Switzerland: Education and Employment; Sustainable Development The report Tracking Alumni Career Paths which was carried out by the University of Bern analyses the results of a survey of the careers pursued by the trainees of the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North South research project on global change and sustainable development. http://www.nccr-north-south.unibe.ch/publications/Infosystem/On-line%20Dokumente/Upload/Heim_et-

al_NCCR_Dialogue_42.pdf United Kingdom: Academic Achievement; Dropouts; Call for Participation The Higher Education Academy has opened the call for its Student retention and success change programme which will examine reasons for low rates of student satisfaction. It aims to develop a culture and infrastructure that promotes belonging and increases student engagement in higher education. Calls for expressions of interest are invited from teams from both UK and international higher education providers. Deadline: 23 November 2012. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/news/detail/2012/student_retention_and_success_change_programme United Kingdom: Academic Achievement; Non-Academic Achievement Universities UK has published Bringing it all together: Introducing the HEAR, the final report of the Burgess Implementation Steering Group which recommends that all students entering undergraduate degree programmes in UK higher education institutions will leave with a Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) as well as a degree certificate. The HEAR is a single document that will provide more detail about academic qualifications, including module marks and assessment methods, as well as more information about extra-curricular activities, experiences and responsibilities, such as employability skills, work placements and volunteering. http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/Publications/Documents/BringingItAllTogetherIntroducingTheHEAR.pdf United Kingdom: Doctoral Programmes; Research Workers; Career Development The Vitae Researcher Development International Conference 2012: Realising the Potential of Researchers was held in Manchester in September 2012. It broached such topics as Policy developments relating to doctoral education and employing researchers; Building institutional capacity for researchers' professional development to maintain research excellence; and Demonstrating the value of researcher development on research outputs, researcher careers, economic prosperity and society. http://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy-practice/916-494271/Vitae-Researcher-Development-InternationalConference-2012-Realising-the-Potential-of-Researchers.html#pageInfo United Kingdom: Educational Quality The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has published UK Quality Code for Higher Education - Chapter B3: Learning and Teaching. The Quality Code makes clear what institutions are required to do, what they can expect of each other, and what the general public can expect of all higher education providers. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/Quality-Code-B3.pdf United Kingdom: Educational Trends; Educational Forecasting The Institute for Public Policy Research has published Oceans of Innovation: The Atlantic, the Pacific, Global Leadership and the Future of Education. It comprises three chapters: Learning from the past: How innovation shaped the world; Understanding the present: The challenge facing the new global leaders; and Learning for the future: Building the innovation generation. http://www.ippr.org/images/media/files/publication/2012/09/oceans-of-innovation_Aug2012_9543.pdf United Kingdom: ICTs The Open University has published the first in a new series of Innovation Reports which explore new forms of teaching, learning and assessment for an interactive world. This first report, Innovating Pedagogy 2012, proposes ten innovations that are already current but have not yet had a profound influence on education. http://www.open.ac.uk/personalpages/mike.sharples/Reports/Innovating_Pedagogy_report_July_2012.pdf United Kingdom: Open Access The Higher Education Academy organized a meeting on Opening up: New horizons and institutional strategies in London in October 2012 that explored how to position HEIs in the open practice environment. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/events/detail/2012/academyevents/04_oct_opening_up_london United Kingdom: Postgraduates; Research Workers; Job Satisfaction; Surveys

The Higher Education Academy (HEA) has published Using PRES to Enhance the Experience of Postgraduate Researchers. A good practice guide. It was developed by Vitae for the HEA and presents results of the survey conducted in July-August 2012. It is designed to help institutions make the most of data gathered through the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES). http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/postgraduate/PRES_enhancement.pdf United Kingdom: Sustainable Development; Call for Participation Building on the first Green Academy (education for sustainable development) change programme, the Higher Education Academy is inviting institutional teams to submit proposals to participate in the second Green Academy change programme. Deadline: 27 November 2012. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/change/GA_ESD_12_13/GA_ESD_12_13_launch United States of America: Educational Costs; Student Loans The U.S. Department of Education has published the three-year student loan default rates. If the two-year rate is still climbing, the three-year rate shows a slight drop. This rate will be used to determine colleges eligibility for federal financial aid. http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/first-official-three-year-student-loan-default-rates-published United States of America: Enrolment; Degrees; Graduates The Council of Graduate Schools (GCS) has released Graduate Enrollment and Degrees 2001-2011 which includes information on applications for admission to graduate school, first-time and total graduate student enrolment, and graduate degrees and certificates conferred. Data are presented by field, gender, race, citizenship, attendance status and institutional characteristics. http://www.cgsnet.org/graduate-enrollment-and-degrees United States of America: Foreign Students; Doctoral Degrees; Mobility; Education and Employment The National Science Foundation has released International Mobility and Employment Characteristics among Recent Recipients of U.S. Doctorates. The article analyses the international mobility and employment characteristics of foreign students who obtained a Doctorate in the US. http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf13300/?org=NSF United States of America: International Education The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State have announced that the 13th annual International Education Week (IEW), whose aim is to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide, will be held from 12 to 16 November 2012. This year's theme is International Education: Striving for a Healthier Future Worldwide. http://iew.state.gov/ United States of America: Internationalization NAFSA: Association of International Educators has published Leading Comprehensive Internationalization: Strategy and Tactics for Action (September 2012). It provides strategy and action guidelines for comprehensive internationalization to higher education leaders at all levels (presidents, provosts, academic deans, faculty leaders, senior international officers and, unit leaders in charge of the international mobility of students). http://www.nafsa.org/uploadedFiles/Chez_NAFSA/Resource_Library_Assets/Publications_Library /Leading%20CIZN.pdf United States of America: Research Universities; Educational Policy The Association of American Universities (AAU) has published a report entitled Partnering for a prosperous and Secure Future: The Federal Government and Research Universities (September 2012). It includes AAUs recommendations on the higher education and innovation agenda and underlines the importance of the role of research universities and the need for a federal government-research university partnership.

http://www.aau.edu/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=13720 United States of America: Women; Educational Management; Academic Leadership The American Council on Education has announced the launch of the Spectrum Executive Leadership Programme as from October 2012. Designed for women and underrepresented groups, this programme is an effort to diversify U.S. higher educations top leadership through an eight-month series of intensive study and guidance. http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Effort-to-Diversify-U-S--Higher-Education-.aspx Have information to share? Send it with the URL to centre@iau-aiu.net Director of Publication: Isabelle Turmaine Editorial Board: Beatrice Inglisian, Christina Keyes, Samuel Pousson Contact: centre@iau-aiu.net IAU, 2005-2012