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Transcript of A cross college perspective on internationalisation and international development Hilary Homans 17...
A cross college perspective on internationalisation and international
development
Hilary Homans
17th May 2011
Overview
• Definitions of internationalism and sustainable international development
• Describe role of CSID and international student situation at the University of Aberdeen
• Discussion on how internationalisation complements sustainable international development? And vice versa?
Internationalisation
• Jeremy Bentham (1748 –1832) coined the words “international” and “multicultural” and also foresaw the globalized community that we now live in.
• Includes commitment to the “greatest happiness principle” (utilitarianism), equality and social justice.
International or globalised university
• draws upon the cultural and methodological background of students
• promotes “brain circulation” whereby their academic staff travel to other countries (including through staff exchange), rather than always expecting students to come “North” or “West”
• Implies different ways of knowledge exchange
Added value of internationalisation
• Sustainable knowledge generation and exchange involving a broad range of partners working towards shared goals.
• Informed by, and sharing an understanding of cultural differences, so that learning takes place on all fronts.
Sustainable development
Economic, social and environment process are inter-connected
Rio Summit on Environment and Development, 1992
Need to place people at the centre of development
Why the Centre was established
The University of Aberdeen • is committed to internationalisation & the twin principles
of sustainability and social responsibility (Strategic Plan 2009 to 2010)
• needs to demonstrate societal impact at an individual, institutional, national and global level through the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
• has recognised the need:– to coordinate work on sustainable international
development across the University– for an inter-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach -
future long term reseach needs to work across disciplines & sectors to maximise impact
Vision
The Centre’s vision is to make a significant contribution to the sustainable achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other international development targets.
Guiding principles (1)
1. Commitment to equity and social inclusion and the promotion of equality of access to sustainable development for all citizens with special attention to socially excluded persons.
2. Enhancement of human dignity and protection of the human rights of all persons.
Guiding principles (2)
3. Interdisciplinary evidence-informed, needs based and results-oriented research, monitoring and evaluation contributing to policy and sustainable development.
4. Multi-sectoral age, gender and diversity-sensitive innovative approaches, involving partners at all levels within public, private and non-profit sectors.
5. Consistent with the UK DFID international development stratey, the RCUK research priorities and other relevant strategies and internationally adopted commitments.
Strategic directions• Maintain a data base of expertise and research programmes
within the University• Build strategic partnerships within:
– the University– local community – Cafe International seminars– Scotland– United Kingdom– Global environment to foster north-south and south-south partnerships and collaboration
for sustainable international development based on countries’ needs
• Build capacity of staff, students and partners • Leverage funding for University work on sustainable
international development• Communicate and disseminate information about the work of
the Centre
Who is doing what?
Data base
Posters of work
1 1
111
1
1
1
1
1
2
71 2
11
1
2
9
1
2
4
5
1
4
2
612
11
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
4
2
5
211
11
2
4
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1 1
1
4
1
1
Number of projects by college - CASS Total
Number of projects by college - CLSM Total
Number of projects by college - COPS Total
Research by Millennium Development Goals
Largest numbers of overseas students at UoA by country, 2007 to 2011
China India Kuwait Malaysia Nigeria USA0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Total
Students from least developed countries at UoA, 2007 to 2011
Bangla
desh
Burkina F
aso
Cambodia
Congo D
RC
Ethiopia
Gambia
Malawi
Maurit
ania
Nepal
Niger
Rwanda
Sudan
Uganda
UR Tanzan
ia
Yemen
Zambia
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Total over 4 years
Students from low income countries at UoA, 2007 to 2011
Ghana Kenya Zimbabwe0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
10092
48
29
Total over 4 years
Partnerships
Partnerships• Partnerships are critical to internationalisation
and international development.• Many examples of partnerships between
universities in the UK and developing country universities.
• E.g. the DELPHE programme on transforming land policy in Ghana where universities provided the academic component and a civil society organisation developed a community based programme on the use of land.
Partnerships
• UoA good example is the role of universities in addressing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Aberdeen has been at the forefront of this through its work on improving maternal health and improving water safety in developing countries.
CSID partnerships
Staff Associates
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sustainable-international-development/people/associates/
© Giacomo Pirozzi (Panos Pictures)
Aberdeen Centre for Environmental SustainabilityCentre for Citizenship, Civil Society and the Rule of LawCentre for Energy LawCentre for Gender StudiesInitiative for Maternal Mortality Programme AssessmentWorld Energy Cities Partnership
Local partnerships
• Partnerships with local NGOs– Aberdeen Foyer (Tanzania)– Arrow (Kenya)– Kids Action (Sierra Leone)– MedicAid (Sierra Leona)– Rotary clubs– Tillydrone Vision (Uganda)– Zoe Lee Foundation (South
Africa)Robin Waugh, Uganda
• Support from the Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations
Scottish partnerships
• Development Studies Association, Scotland• Network of International Development
Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS)• Rwanda Scotland Alliance• Scottish Malawi Partnership• Scottish Executive
Impact and skills development
Strong partnerships:• Are based on countries needs• Involve shared learning • Ensure that research is embedded into policy
and practice• Demonstrate commitment to impact• May involve academic staff learning new skills
in advocacy and communication
Build capacity
Cross college seminars
• Fourteen seminars over 10 months on topics such as, civil society engagement, education, environmental protection, ethics, global climate change, impact of research, land reform, poverty, substance use, water
• Seven visiting speakers– Overseas: Rwanda, Zimbabwe (3)– UK: Aberdeen, Manchester, London
Build capacity
• 6th Century course – global citizenship, culture, equality and diversity
• Working groups to strengthen research linkages– Nigeria– Ghana– India– Bangladesh– Nepal
Volunteers• http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sustainable-internationa
l-development/people/volunteers-/• Trained:
to become tutorsin presentation skillsIn poster development
• Established Facebook page• Working with local NGOs and community• Networking with students• ? Establish International Development Association
UoA Strategic Plan 2011 to 2015
“We will embed a culture of internationalisation across our activities and in so doing enhance our reputation as a global university.” Targets4.1 establish 10 new international strategic partnership
arrangements with institutions in priority regions4.2 establish three partnerships with countries or
regions leading to joint institutes, the first of these to be a Confucius institute
Internationalisation targets continued
4.3 enable 1,200 of our students to have an overseas experience during their time at Aberdeen
4.4 increase the number of international students to 2,360
4.5 improve our position in international league tables particularly in relation to the proportion of international students and international staff
Future
• Vice Principal for internationalisation just appointed
• Internationalisation strategy to be developed• How can internationalisation complement
sustainable international development? And vice versa?