|
The programme of work is defined around three or four projects which typically last two or three years and lead to a publication, together with several ongoing activities. These research activities are generally co-operative efforts, carried out by teams of experts. IMHE draws on the experience and knowledge available through consultancies and through contributions from its general membership.
Higher Education in Regions
Higher education institutions make a significant contribution to economic, social and cultural development in their regions. In 2004-2007, OECD conducted a review of higher education in 14 regions in 12 countries. The final publication Higher Education and Regions – Globally Competitive, Locally Engaged gives recommendations to HEIs and national and regional authorities. A new round of reviews has been launched for 2008-2010. Target regions are in rapidly developing economies, G8 countries and city regions.
The Assessment of Higher Education Outcomes
The OECD is developing a feasibility study for assessment of higher education outcomes that will allow comparison between higher education institutions across countries. This is done in the context of massive growth in higher education, and increasing international attention to comparisons between institutions.
Supporting Quality Teaching in Higher Education
In the context of sustained and continued growth and diversification of higher education systems, there is concern about the quality of some programmes. Public assessments and comparisons of higher education institutions are attracting high levels of attention, but tend to over-emphasise research performance as a yardstick of institutional worth, partly because teaching quality is extremely difficult to measure.
The Impact of Rankings on Higher Education
Over the past decade, higher education rankings have become increasingly prevalent in countries around the world. While they have been part of the US HE landscape for decades, the frenzy provoked by the Shanghai Jiaotong Academic Ranking of World Universities and Times QS World University Rankings, gives an indication of the seriousness which HEIs, policymakers and the media attach to them. IMHE, in collaboration with international organisations, are examing the impact of rankings.
'What Works' in Higher Education Management
Under this heading IMHE arranges a series of international seminars on different aspects of institutional management. The seminars are designed to assist Member institutions by reviewing current policy and practice and by disseminating examples of successful innovation. recruiting and retaining a new generation of academics.
Trends in Research Management and Support
The place of research at universities is changing, as the massification and diversification of the student population continues. Although universities are still responsible for the greater part of basic research in OECD countries, they are increasingly carrying out more applied research. In this field they face growing competition from other higher education institutions and from other providers.
Financial Monitoring and Effective Institutional Management
As higher education institutions in many countries become more autonomous, with devolved governance arrangements and greater financial responsibility, the question of financial sustainability arises in a new way. With the support of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) IMHE examined financial monitoring responsibilities in eight countries, in the context of national funding policies and governance arrangements.
More information on IMHE
|
