Cooperation In Higher Education Research Articles

International Cooperation in Higher Education: Perspectives of Heads of International Cooperation from Cases of European Universities

Fostering international cooperation is essential for addressing global challenges. However, increasing uncertainties and polarisation necessitate a re-evaluation of the rationale and management of international cooperation among higher education institutions (HEIs). Recent research calls for greater attention to international cooperation beyond like-minded countries and emphasises the importance of understanding the perspectives of heads of international cooperation. This study addresses this theoretical gap by examining cooperation with Chinese universities from the perspectives of nine heads of international cooperation at six European universities.Utilising semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, this study elucidates how these European universities establish and maintain cooperation with their Chinese counterparts. It clarifies the interactions among universities, governmental bodies, and policies, and identifies challenges encountered during cooperation. The findings contribute to the literature by offering practical insights and providing contextualised empirical data on future directions for international cooperation between European and Chinese HEIs. This study underscores the active and autonomous roles that universities should play in fostering international cooperation amid global uncertainties.

Promoting institutional collaboration through a joint project-based learning course: a case study of upper secondary school and university students’ experienced relevance

There is a great need to develop research-based models for supporting collaboration between educational institutions. Collaboration models are needed, for example, to assist the transition from lower educational level to higher education or from higher education to working life. In this research, collaboration was conducted through a joint course between upper secondary school and university, which addressed global challenges by using a project-based learning approach. There is a shortage of research exploring students’ perceptions of collaboration. Therefore, the main purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the relevance of the joint course for upper secondary school students and university students. The research was guided by the following research question: What kind of relevance did the students experience in the joint project-based learning course? The data were gathered using questionnaires, interviews, and reflective study reports. The data were analyzed via theory-based content analysis, where research-oriented relevance model was used as the analysis framework. The analysis framework enabled categorizing experienced relevance on individual, vocational, and societal dimensions. Altogether, the analysis produced seven relevance categories for upper secondary students and nine for university students. According to the analysis, upper secondary school students felt that the course offered the most on an individual relevance dimension, whereas university students experienced the vocational relevance dimension a the most diverse. As the main conclusion, this research produced new insights on the experienced relevance of upper secondary level and higher education cooperation from the students’ point of view. The acquired knowledge can be useful for everyone developing new cross-institutional collaboration models.

Status and Prospects of Higher Education Cooperation between China and GCC Countries from the Perspective of the "Belt and Road" Initiative

GCC countries occupy a unique and indispensable position in the Belt and Road Initiative. It is crucial for China and GCC countries to foster humanistic exchanges and support talent development through cooperation in higher education. Since the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, China-GCC higher education cooperation has made significant progress, including the initial establishment of cooperation mechanisms, the consolidation of historical foundations in humanities and social sciences exchanges, and the creation of new opportunities for collaboration in science and technology. However, compared to Western countries, China-GCC higher education cooperation remains relatively weak and has substantial room for development. Future efforts can elevate this cooperation by promoting joint educational programs, establishing higher-level mechanisms for humanities exchanges, and deepening collaboration in frontier fields.

European Universities, the Highlight of International Cooperation in Higher Education. The Romanian Perspective on EU-CONEXUS

Inter-university cooperation has always been a desideratum of higher education institutions. It has developed at a slower or faster pace, for different reasons, depending on the era. Gradually, this cooperation has become more complex, giving rise to a new concept – the internationalisation of higher education. Supported by the development of technology and the increasing liberalisation of borders, cooperation in education has evolved from bilateral agreements to consortia of universities and eventually to European universities. Created at the initiative of the European Commission in 2017, European Universities are transnational alliances that over the last four years have brought about a paradigm shift in inter-university cooperation. This paper aims to discuss the participation of the Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest (UTCB) in a European consortium, and its contribution to internationalisation at the institutional level. We will try to identify the advantages of being a member of this alliance, as well as the difficulties encountered throughout the cooperation and the means to overcome them.

BRAVER challenges students in radiation protection training in an international training

The nuclear industry is currently facing a significant demand for well-trained personnel. Due to the high market demand, it is essential to raise awareness among new target groups, including high school pupils and (pre-service) STEM teachers, about the potential and opportunities of pursuing a nuclear career. With this in mind, a new strategic partnership has been established under the Erasmus+ project ‘BRAVER’ (Blended and Remote teaching Activities supported by Virtual rEality for Radiation sciences). Within this 2-year project, international staff, and students from 7 partners of the CHERNE (Cooperation of Higher Education on Radiological and Nuclear Engineering) network collaborate with industry, regulatory and research institutes in developing educational virtual tools (VR and virtual online escape rooms) for nuclear sciences and engineering. The project aims to develop blended international training programs that incorporate technical, generic, and networking skills for both students and professors. This initiative can serve as a model for other scientific fields, extending its benefits to students and educators across different disciplines.

Higher education cooperation at the regional level

PurposeThis article focuses on regional-level cooperation in higher education by examining the functional, organizational and political approaches (FOPA) framework for higher education regionalization and using supra-national regional universities as established and successful examples of regional-level higher education cooperation among countries.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework is used to provide the structure for analyzing the key approaches to higher education regionalization, followed by an analysis of supra-national regional universities to demonstrate the application of the model.FindingsThe FOPA framework for higher education regionalization includes three approaches. The first is the functional approach, which includes both collaborative academic and research activities among higher education institutions as well strategies and policies to help align systems across a region. The second is the organizational approach, which focuses on networks, organizations, institutions and programs, which facilitate partnerships. The third is the political approach, which includes regional-level agreements, declarations and strategic plans to promote higher education collaboration. Key higher education activities for each approach are discussed in generic terms, with examples provided from major regions of the world.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was based on desk research only. No interviews were conducted.Practical implicationsA conceptual analysis and a model were provided for the concept of regionalization of higher education and for regional universities, which can help readers locate their interests and research in the regionalization of higher education. Examples of three different types of regional universities were provided to give concrete illustrations of a regional university.Social implicationsOne of the rationales driving regional universities is to address and increase a sense of regional identify and to meet the social, economic and educational needs of the specified region.Originality/valueRegional universities, such as the University of West Indies, Arab Open University and the Pan-Africa University, are an understudied phenomenon. Using them as innovative and sustainable examples of higher education regional cooperation and the FOPA model, this study illustrates how single-campus, multiple-campus and virtual regional universities are functioning to meet the diversified needs and priorities across a region through cooperation among countries.

HIGHER EDUCATION AND MOBILITY

The purpose of the article is to determine the impact of technology and innovation on the opportunities for international learning and cooperation in higher education and mobility based on a survey and questionnaire. Methods: the experiment was carried out in stages, using a combined approach with the use of various methods of data collection and analysis. The participants of the study are 120 students of higher education institutions represented by different specialities and levels of education (bachelor, master, postgraduate). The scientific novelty of the work is determined by a comprehensive analysis of the impact of technology and innovation on the opportunities for international learning and cooperation in higher education and mobility of modern students. The study for the first time uses a combined approach, combining different methods of data collection and analysis, and covers a variety of mobility programmes and their popularity among students. The findings indicate that digital technologies have become an integral part of academic mobility, and their use helps students to maximise their time and conveniently interact with international partners. The study also revealed differences in the popularity of different mobility programmes and pointed to factors that may influence their attractiveness for students. The findings of the study indicate that technology greatly facilitates the process of academic mobility of students. They include virtual classes, distance learning, virtual exchanges, and other innovative approaches. These technologies help students to effectively find and choose international study opportunities, interact with partners, and receive information about study opportunities.

Development of higher education within the Belt and Road: Achievements, deficiencies and the rule of law pathway

The Belt and Road Initiative provides new opportunities and impetus for the development of higher education in China. In the past 20 years, higher education in China has made great achievements: the scale of higher education talents has increased, the protection of higher education rights has improved, and cooperation and exchanges in higher education have increased. Regarding exchanges and cooperation in higher education in the Belt and Road, China faces unresolved challenges, including the only opportunity for talent training, a complex and changing environment for international cooperation, and broad and unclear institutional norms. Guaranteeing the rule of law is a support and driving force for countries to engage in exchanges and cooperation in higher education within the framework of the Belt and Road. China needs to actively promote the construction of the rule of law under the Belt and Road framework, unambiguously promote the development of higher education through effective laws, and actively promote the civilized process of the rule of law in higher education. Utilizing the rule of law and the rule of law will promote a new stage of higher education reform and build a modern higher education system with Chinese characteristics. Based on the concept of ensuring the proper rule of law to support cooperation and development, various methods should be applied to promote the development of the rule of law, including the formation of the concept of effective law and good governance, the improvement of information and evaluation systems in higher education, and the improvement of the information and evaluation system in higher education.

СУЧАСНИЙ СТАН ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ВДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ СПІВПРАЦІ ЗАКЛАДІВ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ ТА БІЗНЕСУ НА ОСНОВІ ПРЕЛІМІНАРИНГУ

The article discusses the issues and analyses the problems of the relationship between higher education institutions (HEIs) and business. The purpose of the study is to determine an effective strategy for cooperation between educational institutions and enterprises for the development of the Ukrainian economy. Considerable attention is paid to the general principles of interaction, the role and methods of cooperation in higher education in Ukraine and the world, the advantages and prospects of such cooperation. The authors analysed modern methods of cooperation between HEIs and enterprises. The experience of cooperation between educational institutions and enterprises in the USA, Germany, Great Britain, and Ukraine is considered. The importance of the triple helix model and modern pre-qualification technology, which consists of searching for employees among applicants and graduates of HEIs and business schools, is noted, and the advantages that enterprises can receive in the future by introducing such technology into their activities are considered. Modern practical recommendations for effective cooperation between HEIs and enterprises in all fields of activity have been identified. Аn analysis of the costs of applicants for training and the payback period for these costs after employment has been carried out. It has been established which specialties are the most relevant today and how having a higher education affects obtaining the best job offers. It is concluded that today in Ukraine, in order to ensure effective training of highly qualified employees, it is necessary to ensure constant cooperation between HEIs and enterprises. This should involve the exchange of theoretical and practical experience with the involvement of applicants in the work of enterprises not only during practical training but also when teaching professional disciplines.

Research on OBE Based Effective Learning Mode in Sino foreign Cooperative Universities

Internationalization of education is an inevitable trend in the development of higher education. Against the backdrop of increasingly widespread international cooperation in higher education in China, as a window for China’s education to enter the world, Sino foreign cooperative universities are facing an important issue of how to carry out student-centered, output oriented, and continuous improvement oriented teaching reforms, and cultivate international talents with an international perspective. This article explores the necessity of applying the OBE based effective learning mode in teaching in Sino foreign cooperative universities, and conducts a specific analysis of the application and practice of the OBE based effective learning mode in teaching in Sino foreign cooperative universities, in order to provide theoretical support and practical experience for cultivating high-quality composite talents.

Science Diplomacy Model in Algeria and Prospects for Bilateral Scientific Cooperation with Russia

Introduction. Science diplomacy is gaining increasing significance in expanding international science and technology cooperation. Algeria serves as an example of this trend, drawing the attention of numerous influential players in the international community. Establishing relations with them requires Algerian diplomacy to be flexible and capable of aligning its diverse interests. The research aims to identify the main actors in Algerian science diplomacy, determine the optimal forms of cooperation between Russia and Algeria, and outline the prospects for future cooperation. Methods. Through observation, comparison, and description methods, the authors have outlined the evolution of science diplomacy and provided examples of the most successful projects involving Algeria. Results and Discussion. The authors have developed a model from their research that clearly illustrates the key actors in Algeria's science diplomacy and their interactions on both national and international stages. The analysis of publication activity has revealed areas of cooperation between Russia and Algeria. Conclusion. To effectively address modern challenges such as climate change, water shortage, local military conflicts, and emerging diseases, it is crucial to foster productive partnerships among scientists, politicians, and diplomats. When examining Algeria's international scientific collaborations with other nations, it becomes clear that the country prioritizes its partnership with China. Algeria has numerous joint initiatives with the European Union, a longstanding relationship with France, and has established ties with the United States through the Algerian diaspora. Russia and Algeria share a mutual interest in collaborative research and development in fields such as mechanical engineering, computer technology, physics, and astronomy. Higher education cooperation between Russia and Algeria can facilitate the training of research and academic personnel, the establishment of professional networks, and the advancement of research programs and projects.

Regional cooperation in higher education and research in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries

Regional cooperation in higher education and research in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries

European neighbourhood policy, the Bologna model and EU-Egyptian cooperation in Higher Education

ABSTRACT This article analyses the EU’s neighbourhood policy towards Egypt. Using the higher education sector as a case, it explores the EU’s policy to induce reforms through governance transfers and Egypt’s response to this offer. The main questions are: (1) To what extent do EU policy objectives and governance approaches influence the reform of higher education in Egypt? (2) Which factors facilitate or hinder the reform process at various levels of intervention? Theoretically, the research draws on concepts of EU policy and governance transfers to partner states and the significance of contextual factors for reforms within these states. Methodologically, the analysis applies a qualitative approach based on official documents and semi-structured expert interviews with European and Egyptian officials. The analysis suggests that factors on both sides of the cooperation contribute to limiting policy implementation: the overly complex and rather unspecified governance concepts of the EU and the difficulties in Egypt to implement policies through decentralized action.

UK higher education sector's response to the war in Ukraine

PurposeThis article aims to address the response from the higher education (HE) sector in the United Kingdom (UK) to the full-scale war in Ukraine which started in 2022.Design/methodology/approachRelying on theoretical ideas of neoliberalism and the collection and thematic analysis of relevant official communications from six UK universities, the article uncovers three major ways in which these universities have been responding to the war.FindingsThey include (1) altruistic responses, (2) the promotion of equal treatment of all people and (3) the condemnation of the invasion and its implications for UK’s international cooperation in HE. These responses suggest the strengthening of the liberal ideals in the UK HE sector, heavily dominated by marketisation.Originality/valueThis analysis is significant not only for advancing a very limited scholarship on the topic of HE in the context of this war but also for understanding the development of the neoliberal landscape of UK HE and neoliberalism as a phenomenon in times of crises.

Internationalization of Quality Assurance as a Pre-Requisite for Internationalization in Higher Education

Abstract There are multiple positive effects of internationalization of Higher Education (HE) on enriching students’ experiences in general and providing opportunities for exchange and development of all segments of university functioning. This paper aims to contribute to determining the role of institutional QA in promotion of the international cooperation in HE by analysing undergraduate students’ perceptions on their international experience and comparing them to their home University. Individual experiences of students from the Southeast European University (SEEU) in North Macedonia, who participated in Erasmus exchange program in the last two academic years (2021/22 and 2022/23), with regard to the main quality assurance (QA) principles and measurements applied at their home University, are being considered. Their academic progress at the international universities is also taken into consideration. The aim is to collect firsthand information from the main stakeholders in the QA process about areas that can be further developed, as well as to position SEEU and self-check where it stands comparing and benchmarking it with some reputable European universities in order to better prepare its students for the international job market. SEEU has one of the most developed QA systems in the wider region, created and constantly being developed based on the international standards and guidelines and the long institutional experience. Thus, the paper also aims to contribute to defining some basic standards of internationalization of QA which would be recommended to the institutions from less developed, ITC (inclusiveness target countries) in order to assist them to place and welcome international students more successfully.

Exploration on the Innovative Talent Training Model for Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education in Chinese Universities in the Post-epidemic Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the world education system with never-before-seen difficulties, and the Chinese higher education market has also been impacted. To improve student career development and academic performance in Chinese universities, creative talent training and Chinese-foreign cooperation have come to light in this setting. With a focus on the mediating role of teaching quality and the moderating influence of the epidemic scenario, this study intends to evaluate the impact of creative talent training and Chinese-foreign collaboration on student career development and academic performance in the post-epidemic age. Using a stratified random sample technique, a survey of 350 undergraduate students from Chinese universities was carried out to meet this goal. SEM was used to examine the gathered data. The study's conclusions show that creative talent training and Chinese-foreign cooperation significantly improve academic achievement and career growth in students. Additionally, the association between these two variables and student outcomes is somewhat mediated by teaching quality, highlighting the significance of effective instruction for the effectiveness of these tactics. Additionally, the findings reveal that the severity of the epidemic scenario modifies the association between Chinese foreign cooperation and student outcomes, indicating that the success of this method is dependent on the issue's severity. By providing empirical evidence of their impact on student outcomes in the post-epidemic era, highlighting the significance of teaching quality, and recognizing the moderating effect of the epidemic situation, this study contributes to the literature on talent development and international cooperation in higher education.

‘It is more than just education. It’s also a peace policy’: (Re)imagining the mission of the European Higher Education Area in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Following the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, scholarship has not yet addressed the role of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in this context. This paper asks: What is the political role of the EHEA as an institution and the instrumentalisation of its higher education (HE) cooperation initiatives in the context of the invasion? To investigate this, the paper thematically analyses interviews with representatives from key HE stakeholders in three EHEA members – Germany, France and Italy, as well as key recent international communications related to the EHEA’s response to the war. The thematic analysis revealed two overarching themes leading us to consider that: (1) the EHEA has been regaining its lost significance through shaping and disseminating its response as an institution to the invasion of Ukraine; and (2) HE cooperation in the EHEA in the context of this war has been acquiring a new meaning. These themes lead us to conclude that the war has prompted the EHEA to re-establish its purpose, following the ebbing interest in standardising HE structures. Most importantly, the EHEA has begun to emerge as a platform for political cooperation beyond HE for the promotion of peace in the European region.

Research on the International Cooperation of China Russia Higher Education under the Background of the "the Belt and Road"

China Russia higher education cooperation is the top priority of the "the Belt and Road", and has irreplaceable strategic value. However, there are still some challenges in the exchange and cooperation of higher education between China and Russia at present, such as inadequate monitoring mechanisms for educational quality, and insufficient demand for Russian language talents, which have led to a lack of mutual understanding and support in the exchange and cooperation of higher education between the two countries. To this end, it is necessary to fully leverage the functions of market mechanisms, broaden social horizons, and promote educational interaction between both parties; Promote educational exchanges and cooperation between both sides, and improve the level of higher education in China; Efforts will be made to cultivate education professionals with an international perspective and jointly promote the development of educational relations between the two sides.

Mechanism and model of cooperation between China, Mongolia and Russia in higher education

As a key node in the implementation of China's "One Belt, One Road" strategy, China, Mongolia and Russia are also key members of the "China-Mongolia-Russia" economic corridor and are playing an increasingly important role in this process. Cooperation in higher education between China, Mongolia and Russia is a natural advantage in the exchange between China, Mongolia and Russia. In order to standardize and promote the higher education cooperation between China and Russia, it is necessary to continuously improve the mechanism of higher education cooperation between China, Mongolia and Russia with the joint efforts of Chinese and Russian governments, universities, enterprises and society, and create a model of higher education cooperation with the characteristics of China, Mongolia and Russia, so as to create a new situation for the higher education cooperation between China, Mongolia and Russia and contribute to the higher education cooperation between China, Mongolia and Russia.

Entwicklung einer School of Education als kooperatives Projekt von Hochschulen: die Freiburger School of Education FACE

Schools of Education represent organizational units that assume responsibility for the organization, design, and implementation of teacher education programs, thereby bundling responsibilities and offering better study programs. In the case of the Freiburg School of Education FACE, three teacher training universities cooperate in a joint academic institution. The article first gives an overview of forms of cooperation in higher education and describes the development of the School of Education FACE and its current structure. Then, findings from a 2022 cross-university strengths and weaknesses analysis and results of two student surveys conducted in 2018 and 2022 are presented. The findings show that the cooperation in Freiburg has brought progress in the development of the jointly responsible teacher training programs.