Policy Workshop on Private Higher Education Damascus 8 December 2004

some dimensions of diversity n constitutional ban

some dimensions of diversity n constitutional ban n limited private

some dimensions of diversity n constitutional ban n limited private n significant participation

some dimensions of diversity n constitutional ban n limited private n significant participation n majority enrollment

share of private higher education enrolments Korea 75% Indonesia65% Philippines 80% Colombia 60% Brazil 60%

proportion of private enrollment

growth of private enrollment in Latin America ( )

some dimensions of diversity n poor quality

some dimensions of diversity n poor quality n the best show in town

outline of the presentation... the potential benefits of private higher education the risks involved the role of the State

outline of the presentation... the potential benefits of private higher education the risks involved the role of the State

potential benefits n providing opportunities in constrained environment

potential benefits n providing opportunities in constrained environment n complementing government funding

enrollment rates by region ( )

knowledge is a key factor in explaining the difference between poverty and wealth

Korea vs. Ghana n Korea u 1950s: F growth of public tertiary education with tuition fees u 1960s: F government financial incentives to promote private tertiary sector growth u 1970s and 80s: F development of science and engineering programs u 1990s: F emphasis on quality assurance, R&D, accountability, performance-based funding

Ghana vs. Korea n Ghana u 1950s – 1970s F slow growth of “free” public tertiary education u 1980s: F initiation of reforms: quality, financial sustainability, expansion of public tertiary education u 1990s: F weak application of reform programs

Korea vs. Ghana n evolution u enrollment rate F Korea: 2% in 1945 to 80% F Ghana: remained at 2% u private sector enrollment F Korea: 75% of total F Ghana: 6% of total u public expenditure per student F Korea: increase from $2,700 to $4,500 F Ghana: decrease from $1,200 to $850 u tertiary education linkages with economy and labor market F Korea: strong F Ghana: weak

potential benefits n providing opportunities in constrained environment n complementing government funding n being closer to employers needs

linkages with the productive sectors n management team n board with external representatives n practitioners as part-time professors n speed to market

potential benefits n providing opportunities in constrained environment n complementing government funding n being closer to employers needs n providing healthy stimulation through competition

healthy competition n Bolivia

healthy competition n Bolivia n Uruguay

healthy competition n Bolivia n Uruguay n Russia

healthy competition n Bolivia n Uruguay n Russia n Jordan and Lebanon

outline of the presentation... the potential benefits of private higher education the risks involved the role of the State

the risks involved n inadequate quality n increasing inequalities n unfair competition

the quality challenge n diploma mills

the quality challenge n diploma mills n franchise institutions

franchise universities …

the quality challenge n diploma mills n franchise institutions n quality assurance for virtual institutions and e-learning

virtual universities

the equity challenge n the higher the tuition fees, the more elitist the institution n eligibility for public resources? u scholarships u student loans

unequal competition n “free riding” the use of public professors

beware of foreign providers! n unequal competition n corporate behavior

for-profits targeting developing world n Apollo Group (Univ of Phoenix) -- Apollo International n Sylvan Learning Systems u Universidad Europea de Madrid u Universidad del Valle in Mexico n Unext.com? u Columbia, Chicago, Stanford, LSE, Carnegie Mellon

changing behavior

corporate behavior

forced marriage

outline of the presentation... the potential benefits of private higher education the risks involved the role of the State

n mitigating the risks n promoting the harmonious growth of private institutions

main responsibility of the State n to put in place an enabling framework that encourages all higher institutions to be more innovative and responsive

role of the State n define a coherent national strategic vision and policy framework

is there a vision?

role of the State n define a coherent national strategic vision and policy framework n establish an enabling regulatory environment

public policies to promote private tertiary education n remove barriers

areas of regulation Establishment of new institution Authorization to issue degree Establishment of new program Quality assurance Financial obligations / restrictions Equity promotion Participation of public sector teachers Academic freedom guarantee Appointment of trustees Additional provisions for foreign providers

public policies to promote private tertiary education n remove barriers n establish quality assurance mechanisms

quality assurance n licensing of institutions u minimal requirements u comprehensive requirements n accreditation u entire institution u program u course

public policies to promote private tertiary education n remove barriers n establish quality assurance mechanisms n make information available u Provao in Brazil u ICFES in Colombia u Jordan

role of the State n define a coherent national strategic vision and policy framework n establish an enabling regulatory environment n offer appropriate financial incentives

financial support from the public budget  direct subsidy  payment of teachers  tax exemptions  scholarships  student loans

conclusion

the changing higher education landscape The Traditional University Differentiated System

competing in the learning society...