The Role of the OECD in the Development of Higher Education in a Globalized World

Abstract

This article introduces the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) role in and contribution to the development of higher education. As an international organization composed of 30 member countries and actively collaborating with 70 nonmember countries, the OECD is uniquely positioned for collecting international comparative data, promoting the international exchange on good practices and developing international guidelines. It has been recognized by all the OECD countries that higher education plays a vital role in driving economic growth and social cohesion, and it is now understood that a high-quality system of higher education is central to the ability of nations to participate successfully in the global knowledge economy. This context has led the OECD to focus on higher education in its work related to education and innovation. Analysis of higher education policy and practice runs across the four functional divisions of the directorate: (1) education and training policy, (2) Educational research and innovation, (3) indicators and analysis, and (4) education management and infrastructure. The main work includes: e-learning in post-secondary education and training, the future of higher education, guidelines for quality provision in cross-border higher education, higher education and regions, internationalization and trade in higher education, and thematic review of tertiary education.