Part-time MBA for professionals - The Global Higher Education Market
The Global Higher Education Market

Prof. dr. Marijk van de Wende, CHEPS

Rotterdam - A small passage out of the Key Note Speech of Prof. dr. Markijk van der Wende for the MBA Graduation Ceremony of University of Phoenix, May 24, 2003. Called "The Global Higher Education Market".

"In Europe the emergence of transnational education (TNE) and especially e-learning provided by foreign institutions has also led to some concerns. Recent studies show that the main importers of TNE in Europe are Greece, Italy and Spain. The main exporters to these countries are the UK and the US. The reports are quite honest in stating that TNE can widen access to quality higher education and that its growth is often a sign that the national systems are not responding to the needs of the students. This can refer to quantitative needs; the national higher education structure cannot cater for the national demand (e.g. Greece can provide places in the national HE system for only one third of the students). Or in terms of diversity; the need for more flexible, student centered, or competency based learning which is not met by the national system. I think that the presence of the University of Phoenix here can be seen rather as an exemple of the latter than of the former. It is ackowledged, that in general, regulation, quality assurance and recognition are the main problems related to this type of education. And finally, TNE, or more specificly non-European providers who are entering the European market, are seen as a threat to European higher education, which calls for the enhancement of the international competitiveness of European higher education itself. This notion became one of the central aims of the Bologna Declaration, which started a process of European-wide reforms in the sector."
- posted by University @ Saturday, April 24, 2004