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What will 2015 Mean for Higher Education?

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:56:00 -0400

When the current Education for All (EFA) goals expire in 2015, the pendulum of global funding for education may swing in the direction of higher education. The EFA movement—supported for over a decade by more than 160 countries and coordinated by UNESCO—has a lofty goal to “provide quality basic education for all children, youths and adults by 2015.” EFA is aligned with the educational components of the Millennium Development Goals, which include universal primary education and gender parity and empowerment of women. Higher education has not been a target of these development goals.

HER Launch Event in NYC

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:18:00 -0400

On Tuesday, May 7, IIE hosted the official launch event of our Higher Education Readiness (HER) Program at our New York headquarters. The launch was part of a larger event, sponsored by IIE’s Center for Women’s Leadership Initiatives, to promote its newest publication, “Women in the Global Economy: Leading Social Change,” and host a panel discussion with book contributors.

8 Stages for Developing Institutional International Partnerships

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:10:00 -0400

IIE’s Center for International Partnerships in Higher Education has been working diligently in the partnerships arena for some time now. Through our flagship program, the International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP), which assists U.S. colleges and universities develop a strategy for partnering with counterparts in other countries, and other CIP program, such as the ECA-funded U.S.—Indonesia Partnership Program and the IIE Global Partnerships Service, CIP staff have acquired a depth of knowledge regarding partnership development.

Higher Education Access and Opportunity: IIE Recommends Inclusion of Quality Higher Education in Next Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Mon, 06 May 2013 17:56:00 -0400

The Institute of International Education (IIE) supports open, ongoing and inclusive discussion of the post-2015 global development agenda and upholds the vision of the UN Global Consultation on Education that “equitable quality lifelong education and learning for all” should be central to the post-2015 goals.

10th Grade National Exam tutoring has begun for Higher Education Readiness students!

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:49:00 -0400

The 10th grade national exam is a key milestone for students entering the 11th grade in high school across Ethiopia. The score on the exam determines whether students enter into a vocational or university track for 11th and 12th grades.

What is the Next Big Thing in International Education?

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:22:00 -0400

Higher education institutions, educational organizations, and governments around the world are continuously looking for new ways to engage internationally and to keep their academic institutions relevant and competitive. Funding organizations and governments are investing substantial resources in international education, and are seeking to identify new areas to support.

Meet Select Recipients from IIE’s Higher Education Readiness Program

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:35:00 -0400

IIE is pleased to announce that we have notified 100 girls who have been selected for the HER scholarship! Recently, we gathered 50 students from both Addis Ketema and Fitawrari Abayneh at their schools and gave them the good news.

Guaranteeing Global Opportunities

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:45:00 -0400

Guest blogger Susquehanna University Provost Carl Moses writes about the school's award-winning Global Opportunities program:

As I child, I was fortunate enough to have opportunities to travel with my family and explore different parts of the United States. I marveled at the expanse of the Grand Canyon, the bustle of New York City, the quaintness of a New England fishing village, the peacefulness of an ocean sunrise. Those experiences, contrasting in many ways with my southern rural surroundings, opened my eyes and gave me an appreciation of the diversity of the American culture and its people, as well as ways we connect with each other across that diversity.

First Higher Education Readiness Program Cohort Selected in Ethiopia

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0400

IIE is excited to have selected the first group of one hundred HER scholarship recipients! The Institute held selection panels for our new Higher Education Readiness (HER) program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 25th. Discussion was robust, objective and transparent. Nineteen Ethiopian professionals from secondary schools, universities, NGO's and businesses gathered to discuss the HER applicants and, based on the scholarship criteria (academic performance, demonstrated leadership and future skills and financial need) determined which girls will be awarded the HER scholarship.

Women in the Global Economy: Authoring Chapters, Advancing Social Change

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:16:00 -0400

In September 2011, I had the good fortune to participate in the first-ever Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women in the Economy Summit. This historic event was driven by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and like so many initiatives launched during her time in office, it was designed not only to inspire, but to spur action for change. As I listened to Secretary Clinton and other dynamic speakers—women who had achieved the highest levels of success and impact in business, government, and civil society—the idea for a book was born.

Pitt Community College’s Award-Winning Experience in Internationalization

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:15:00 -0400

Pitt Community College in Greenville, North Carolina was one of the recipients of IIE’s Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education at IIE’s Best Practices Conference last week. Pitt was honored for its International Education Travel Scholarship, which provides full funding for participation in a Pitt Community College Abroad-sanctioned program and seeks to eliminate financial barriers for students and faculty recipients.

Introducing the Higher Education Readiness (HER) Program: A Path to University for Girls in Ethiopia

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:51:00 -0400

32.4% of girls in Ethiopia enroll in 9th grade, but only 3.5% continue to 11th grade, which is their path to advance to university. Imagine what the impact would be on the girls, their families and their communities if we could significantly increase that number?

Re-envisioning Internationalization: International Education for What?

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:00:00 -0400

It is estimated that 1.7 billion people in the world live in absolute poverty. Close to 40 percent of the world’s population lives without access to improved sanitation, with the vast majority in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. And when it comes to education, only 10 percent of the world has access to a secondary education, and this proportion plummets to 1 percent for a higher education.

News from Afghanistan: Higher Education Needs the Support of International Partners

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:44:00 -0400

A scholar from Afghanistan who is on the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) fellowship sent the Institute the following piece about education in his country. For the last 60 years, it has been a see-saw ride for higher education in Afghanistan. However, the data proves that the news is not all bad. In fact, educational opportunities have increased, especially for girls and women.

What Does It Mean to Be American? Observations from Bulgarian Students in the U.S.

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:43:00 -0500

Recently, I facilitated a five-day enrichment seminar in Washington, DC for the participants in the U.S. Academic Immersion Program (USAIP). Sponsored by the America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF), USAIP is a non-degree scholarship program, which places 20 Bulgarian students in select U.S. colleges and universities and provides them with the opportunity to study in the United States for one academic year.

Last Day in Myanmar: The Momentum of Reform

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:00:00 -0500

Our delegation concluded with the drafting of a work-in-progress framework agreement to help codify what we and the various education, health, and science ministry officials encouraged us to do and share. It appears below and we will focus now on next steps to follow through. We all recognized the importance of keeping the momentum of reform accelerating.

From DC to Naypitaw – Capitals Compared

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:00:00 -0500

A week ago, my taxicab was approaching the U.S. Capitol. Two congested lanes of traffic and a great deal of police. Routine security inspection from a couple of scowling Capitol Hill police. No one looked suspicious that day.

Morning in Mandalay: Challenges Facing a New Myanmar

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:46:00 -0500

It is 5:30 am in Mandalay, Myanmar. Our hotel is directly across from the former royal palace and it is a good time for a run. The city has been awake for a while and streetlights are about to go on for an hour or so before dawn. That gave me some pause.

Reconnecting Myanmar: Thoughts on Day 1 of IIE’s Myanmar Delegation

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:41:00 -0500

The International Academic Partnerships delegation to Myanmar had an unusual start. A faculty member from Northern Illinois University, Dr. Catherine Raymond, who curates the Burmese art collection there, was bringing back a Buddha sculpture (pictured below) created more than a thousand years ago. At a ceremony marking the return with the Minister of Culture she noted that the event was a "testimony to the efforts many are making to end trafficking in art." Ironically, the sculpture is rare because it depicts the Buddha in the pose emoting rule of law, something that has gone missing in so many places today.

International Visitor Leadership Program Builds Bridges

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:46:00 -0500

Standing in the destruction left by Superstorm Sandy, Eddy Satriya was deeply moved by the efforts of local residents, volunteers and officials to rebuild Breezy Point, NY in the Rockaways. Having known several people affected by the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, Satriya truly realized the full impact of his time in the U.S. “I can imagine the worst night that the people in Breezy Point faced when the hurricane hit since I also met people in Aceh, Indonesia after the tsunami," he said.

Building Partnerships in India

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:38:00 -0500

In her recent article for the Chronicle of Higher Education, Karin Fischer makes a number of important points about the often-difficult reality of developing academic partnerships with Indian institutions. Anyone having attempted to foster these relationships will no doubt be able to relate to the bureaucratic hurdles, credit transfer issues, differing pedagogy, and incompatible research interests that inevitably arise.

The Power of Network Analysis in Evaluation: It’s Not Just About Facebook!

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:15:00 -0500

Have you thought about the importance of your networks, both personal and professional? How they shape your career and everyday life? Social network analysis (SNA) is a tool used in modern sociology to identify the links between individuals in various social systems. You can also use it in monitoring and evaluation in order to probe deeper into the power of the social network and how it can be used to measure program outcomes and impact.

A Glimpse into Rebuilding Higher Education in Iraq

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:45:00 -0500

IIE-SRF's most recent Iraq Scholar Rescue Project conference in Erbil, Iraq was, with 200 Iraqi scholars in attendance, our biggest academic conference to date. This is the ninth conference we've held in the region and the fourth on Iraqi soil.

Exploring Opportunities for Women in Information and Communication Technologies

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:54:00 -0500

Earlier this month I joined more than 75 thought leaders from 20 countries working in civil society, academia, government, the private sector, and the UN who convened at IIE in Washington, DC, for the first international Working Forum on Women, Information and Communication Technologies and Development (WICTAD), co-hosted by the Department of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues and UN Women.

A MOOC Article a Day: Three Themes To Watch

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:08:00 -0500

There’s one phenomenon growing even faster than MOOCs: the news coverage around MOOCs. Buzz about MOOCs—Massive Open Online Courses—has generated some interesting practical and philosophical questions in higher education.

International Higher Education Protection Organizations Condemn Attack on Syrian University

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:58:00 -0500

The crisis in Syria has created an academic emergency, with the break-down of higher education within the country and major obstacles facing Syrians who are studying or teaching outside of Syria. This week’s violent attacks on the University of Aleppo have underscored the need for urgent action to save the students and scholars who will be needed to rebuild their country. IIE’s Scholar Rescue Fund has been helping scholars from Syria to enable them to continue their work at safe haven universities around the world. Today, we joined with the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA) and the Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) to issue a joint statement condeming the attacks on the University of Aleppo.

Beyond Student Recruitment: 5 Places Universities Should Watch in 2013

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:12:00 -0500

Crossposted from the Chronicle of Higher Education’s WorldWise blog

“International-student recruitment will undoubtedly remain a priority in 2013 for American colleges and universities. China, of course, will continue to be a major focus of those efforts, in addition to new growth markets, like Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Venezuela. At the Institute, however, we have been working with American higher-education institutions to engage with other countries and regions in ways that go beyond student recruitment,” IIE President Allan Goodman writes for the Chronicle of Higher Education’s WorldWise blog.

Essential Tips for Designing Successful Entrepreneurship Education Programs

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:41:00 -0500

I recently returned from the British Council sponsored conference on Entrepreneurship in Higher Education in Boston. The conference, which featured a variety of speakers from both the U.S. and from across the pond not only explored the role of Entrepreneurship in higher education, but also juxtaposed the British and U.S. approach to teaching entrepreneurship. The bottom line from the conference was that the U.S. is still the undisputed global leader in entrepreneurship education and the U.K. and the rest of the world still have some catching up to do, in particular in regards to creating the right campus environment for fostering entrepreneurship.

Alumni Tracking: Challenges and Considerations of Designing an Innovative Study

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:42:00 -0500

Earlier this year IIE's Center for Academic Mobility Research (CAMR) hosted a roundtable on program evaluation and impact assessment. We brought together practitioners and researchers from various fields of study to discuss ways to measure impact of international fellowship programs. I was pleased to greet participants from the Ford Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, Social Science Research Council, German Academic Exchange Service, and others at the event held in IIE’s New York office.

Education and the Workforce: Matching Skills and Needs

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:54:00 -0500

Reflections on the 2012 World Innovation Summit in Doha

The annual World Innovation Summit on Education—known as WISE—is a unique, multi-sectoral education conference. It brings together stakeholders from primary, secondary, and higher education, government, corporations and technology companies, NGOs, and—critically—students. And it is one of the most global education events I’ve ever been to: 1,200 participants from more than 100 countries.

An Education Crisis in Syria: How You Can Help

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:12:00 -0500

On Friday night here in NYC, I attended the first Gala dinner of a group called Jusoor. Arabic for “bridges,” Jusoor aims to build a more peaceful and prosperous Syria by connecting the 20 million people in Syria with the 20 million people in the Syrian diaspora throughout the world. Like IIE, their focus is education.

Investing in the U.S. - Indonesia Comprehesive Partnership: Current Government Efforts and What YOU Can Do To Help

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:41:00 -0500

A few weeks ago, I found myself sitting in a classroom at MIT surrounded by about thirty Indonesians. My mind was wandering since everyone was speaking in rapid Bahasa Indonesia and, sadly, my Indonesian language skills are limited to “hello” and “thank you.” On the upside, I noticed the half-erased math equations on the chalkboard—something about “r” and squares and Greek letters—realizing that Bahasa might not be the most confusing language in the room.

Walking the Walk on Youth Leadership Development

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:51:00 -0400

Recently, I attended a dinner where the keynote speaker gave a speech on youth leadership. This topic is of great interest to me because a significant portion of IIE’s work in sub-Saharan Africa focuses on leadership development, particularly for women and youth. The speaker talked about the importance of making space for young people. Afterward, my dinner companion remarked, “There is so much talk about leadership these days, but I’d really like to know what people are actually doing to make space for young people.” His comments resonated with me.

The GE Scholar-Leaders Program: 10 Years Young

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:49:00 -0400

When you design a new program, you are optimistic but never know exactly how it will turn out. Will the program be as successful as envisioned? Will it meet its objectives? So, it was with excitement that I watched the following video about the 10-year anniversary of the GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program in Central Europe.

The Role of the University in World Society

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:54:00 -0400

Last week I had the honor of participating at the Qatar Foundation’s WISE Education Leadership Program in Doha, a program that we implement together with the International Association of University Presidents. This program, now in its third year, brings together newly-appointed university presidents, rectors and vice chancellors from developing countries and prepares them to more effectively lead their institutions. This year’s participants came from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Palestine, Tanzania, Tunisia, and the Ukraine. They all face common challenges: how to build the capacity of their teaching staff, how to expand access to women, how to develop programs that meet the demands of the job market and that support sustainable national development, and how to operate in fiscal austerity. And some are dealing with the aftermath of war or conflict, and the toll it took on their students and staff.

The U.S. and Australia: Learning From Each Other

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:32:00 -0400

The United States, the United Kingdom and Australia are the three primary English-speaking destinations of international students worldwide. Among the three, Australia has the most centralized, proactive international education policies and, arguably, the most highly developed international student data collection system in the world.

When Will You Find Us an American School That Wants to Build a Branch Campus Here?

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:32:00 -0400

Over the past twelve months, IIE has been visited by education officials from nearly all of the countries undergoing transformation because of the so-called Arab/Asian Spring. Each has asked similar questions about access to U.S. higher education. There is an urgent need to provide education for an entire generation (or two) that has been largely isolated. Questions abound about how to apply to U.S. colleges and universities, how to obtain scholarships, and how to bring their English language skills up to acceptable levels.

Making German Institutions Even More International Student Friendly

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:11:00 -0400

Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of participating in a study tour sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to learn about the German higher education landscape. It was a particularly exciting time to visit the country. The European soccer championship was underway, and German universities were awaiting the announcement of the results of the second phase of the Excellence Initiative.

Of FROs and WOFEs: Models for Expanding U.S. Universities' Global Presence

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:50:00 -0400

Last week, IIE co-hosted one of our occasional “IIENetwork National Conference Calls,” which bring together colleagues from around the world to discuss key topics that affect international higher education. The call was developed by IIE in partnership with JP Morgan and focused on “Models for Expanding U.S. Universities' Global Presence: Strategic and Financial Issues.” More than 160 senior financial and administrative leaders and Chief International Officers from colleges and universities across the United States dialed in for this call.

Building the New Libya through International Education

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:40:00 -0400

I’m well aware that beyond international education circles, the Institute of International Education is not exactly a household name. So you can imagine my surprise when, on my first trip to Libya in 2006 to explore restarting scholarship programs with the country, I met numerous people who were intimately familiar with IIE. I will never forget my first meeting at Libya’s National Oil Company, when a gentleman greeted me in near-flawless English. It turns out that he had studied in the United States in the 1970s on an IIE-administered scholarship program. Not only did he have fond memories of his studies and the university that hosted him, but he regaled us with stories of his arrival to the United States and the warm welcome he received from his IIE program officer, whose name he remembers to this day.

Joint and Double Degree Programs: Location, Location, Location

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 11:45:00 -0400

The cardinal rule of real estate (“location, location, location”) just acquired new meaning for me. In the latest issue of Foreign Affairs magazine, there is the usual “sponsored section” paid for by the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA). There are now more than 60 such schools and programs; the majority are located in the United States. In the section, each school that contributed to the ad got a page to explain why they were relevant and what is distinctive about their faculty.

Partnering over Pao de Queijo in Brazil

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:34:00 -0400

Recently, I accompanied 32 U.S. college and university representatives on a whirlwind study tour to Brazil. Covering five cities in six days, this remarkable group of faculty, staff, and administrators bonded over bus rides, pão de queijo, and the wealth of opportunities presented by the Brazilian higher education system.

The G7 of Open Doors

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 04:00:00 -0400

Did you know? Throughout the 62 year history of Open Doors, only seven places have been the #1 place of origin of international students.

Canada, our northern neighbor, held the title for the first 23 years of the report (1949-1971), the most of any place of origin. These days, over 27,000 Canadians cross the border to pursue higher education in the United States. That is more than the 25,464 total international students from all places of origin that were studying in the United States in 1949, the first year of the Open Doors survey.

Foreign Language Proficiency for Everyone

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 10:48:00 -0400

Recently, I was honored to have been invited to share a written statement at the Senate hearing: “A National Security Crisis: Foreign Language Capabilities in the Federal Government.” I spoke about the importance of foreign language instruction in higher education institutions.

About Opening Minds

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:07:00 -0400

Welcome to Opening Minds, the Institute of International Education’s blog where IIE leaders will present thoughts, opinions, and experiences on diverse topics in international education. The work that all of us do in this field is multifaceted and constantly evolving. We hope that Opening Minds will be a space for us to examine new ideas, confront challenging issues, reflect on different experiences, and ultimately provide some insight into what we do, why we’re doing it, and whether it’s working.