Internatinal Educatin Framewrk Nvember 2009
BACKGROUND Imprtance f Internatinal Educatin Internatinal educatin is a key building blck in advancing Alberta s psitin in the glbal marketplace and in achieving a knwledge driven future. S much f what happens t and within Alberta happens because f events utside f it. This trend is nt abut t end. Alberta trades with an increasingly diverse internatinal market and we need t ensure that we are psitined t see the emerging pprtunities and challenges bth within and beynd ur brders. Mre than ever, we rely n the internatinal market fr fuelling research and innvatin capacity and develping a knwledge driven future, primarily thrugh securing peple with talent and skills. While an imprtant player, Alberta is still a relatively small player in the glbal market. Cmpetitin within this market is grwing increasingly fierce, especially in the area f talent and skills acquisitin. This is why a fragmented apprach t internatinal educatin acrss the pst secndary system is in danger f putting Alberta ut f cntentin in the glbal field. Alberta, with less than 1% f Nrth America s ttal ppulatin, is much t small fr 26 institutins and multiple faculties t be pursuing internatinal educatin activities independently. A strategic apprach t internatinal educatin is paramunt t Alberta s future ecnmic and scial success. This Internatinal Educatin Framewrk plays a rle in achieving that success. Trends in Internatinal Educatin With increasing glbal awareness f the imprtance f develping a knwledge driven ecnmy, there has been a surge in demand fr pst secndary educatin in many parts f the wrld. Data reveals that the glbal market fr internatinal educatin is large and grwing. In 2005, the glbal value f the sectr was estimated at $2.2 trillin. 1 In Canada, the value was arund $6.5 billin, in 2008. 2 In 2004, there were apprximately 2.5 millin students wrldwide enrlled in higher educatin studies utside f their hme cuntry, representing a 41% increase since 1999. 3 In British Clumbia (B.C.), a recent study n the ecnmic impact f internatinal educatin reprted direct cntributins f $485 millin t B.C. s Grss Dmestic Prduct and the creatin f 9,100 jbs. In the same study, indirect impacts were estimated at ver $2 billin t the ecnmy, largely thrugh the attractin and retentin f students as skilled wrkers and business pprtunities created thrugh the develpment f internatinal relatins. 4 Statistics shw that Alberta receives a relatively small prprtin f internatinal students cming t Canada. In 2008, Canada was seventh wrldwide as a destinatin fr internatinal students 5, lagging far behind cuntries such as Australia and the United States, and receiving nly 5% f an estimated 2.9 millin students. Further, 1 Study by Hezel Assciates (2005), reprted by Merrill Lynch. 2 Ecnmic Impact f Internatinal Educatin in Canada, reprt fr Freign Affairs and Internatinal Trade Canada by RKA Inc. Vancuver, Octber 2009. The reprt als nted that expenditures f internatinal educatin students have nw surpassed exprts f cniferus lumber ($5.1 billin) and cal ($6.1 billin). 3 Accrding t UNESCO (2006), this statistic needs t be cnsidered within the cntext f the verall expansin (40%) in tertiary educatin ver the same perid. There was nly a marginal grwth in the number f students pursuing studies abrad (1.87%). 4 Ecnmic Impact f Internatinal Educatin at Public Pst secndary Institutins, reprt fr Ministry f Advanced Educatin, B.C. by RKA Inc. Vancuver, March 2006. 5 The tp six destinatin cuntries were: United States (20%), United Kingdm (13%), Germany (8%), France (8%) China (7%) and Australia (7%). Surce: Prject Atlas 2007 data frm partner rganizatins, UNESCO/OECD 2006 data. Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 2
Alberta s publicly funded pst secndary institutins receive nly 6.5% f internatinal students in Canada. Hwever, nt all f thse internatinal students in Alberta enrl in Alberta s publicly funded pst secndary institutins a number enrl in prgrams ffered by private prviders, r are in the K 12 educatin system. Prjectins f grwth in the schl age ppulatin indicate that the number f individuals graduating frm high schl in Alberta will decline ver the next decade. Alberta has traditinally relied n external surces f talent t supprt the grwth f the knwledge sectr with tw thirds f jbs created ver the past five years filled thrugh internatinal and inter prvincial migratin. Hwever, recent figures shw this in migratin is slwing. At the same time, cmpetitin fr talent is increasing; jurisdictins acrss Nrth America are shifting their fcus frm attracting cmpanies t als attracting talented peple. Alberta may have t wrk harder t grw and attract talented peple with glbal cmpetencies and reach utward t make thse glbal cnnectins and strategic alliances. A crdinated and fcused internatinal educatin apprach, ne which ges well beynd merely filling class rm spaces at institutins, will play a vital rle in addressing these trends and ensuring Alberta s successful transitin t a knwledge driven future. Develpment f a Framewrk Recgnizing these trends and factrs, Hnurable Dug Hrner, Minister f Advanced Educatin and Technlgy, expressed at the January 5, 2009 Campus Alberta Strategic Directins Cmmittee (CASDC) meeting, the need t ensure that the Ministry and institutins are wrking tgether strategically t further internatinal educatin. He als cnveyed a need t clarify the ratinale fr and expected utcmes f internatinal educatin activities in supprt f the key plicy directin set in the Alberta Access Planning Framewrk. In particular, this highlighted a need fr a greater articulatin f the rle f internatinal students in Alberta s pst secndary learning system, alng with mechanisms t address retentin. In respnse t Minister Hrner, institutin Bard Chairs cmmented that their pst secndary institutins have multiple and varying ratinales fr participating in internatinal educatin which vary acrss institutins, and that there is a need t cnsider internatinal educatin frm a business case standpint t leverage pprtunities and allw fr greater efficiencies between institutins. It was als understd that effective prmtin f Campus Alberta requires a chesive rather than fragmented apprach. Fllwing the CASDC meeting, Manmeet Bhullar, Parliamentary Assistant t the Minister f Advanced Educatin and Technlgy, led a cnsultatin prcess that included meeting with pst secndary institutin representatives t discuss the bjectives and strategic pprtunities assciated with internatinal educatin. T supprt the cnsultatin prcess, Advanced Educatin and Technlgy frmed the Internatinal Educatin Wrking Grup t: 1. Determine the range and scpe f internatinal activities in which pst secndary institutins are currently engaged; 2. Verify the underlying bjectives fr institutin invlvement in internatinal educatin relative t the rle that Advanced Educatin and Technlgy (AET) shuld play in supprting institutinal strategies; 3. Identify emerging plicy questins; and 4. Develp a strategic framewrk t guide internatinal educatin activities in alignment with Campus Alberta strategic Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 3
pririties, and address the plicy gaps identified. The findings f the wrking grup largely supprted the cmments f the Bard Chairs in that the range f internatinal activities and the bjectives supprting them vary greatly bth within and between pst secndary institutins (see Appendix 1). The bjectives r ratinales generally fall int ne f fur brad categries f academic, scial/cultural, plitical, and ecnmic. This highlights the tensins underpinning the prcess f internatinalizatin. 6 4. Glbal ecnmic cmpetitin fr internatinal students means jurisdictins are increasingly lking fr mechanisms t ensure market share. Can AET prvide a crdinatin functin t help determine pririty markets and ensure institutins and ther gvernment agencies are wrking in a crdinated fashin t fully realize market pprtunities fr Alberta? The fllwing Internatinal Educatin Framewrk was develped t address these questins. Overall, the main plicy questins emerging frm the discussins were: 1. T what extent are institutins internatinal plans aligned with the Gvernment f Alberta and AET internatinal gals and bjectives? 2. Hw shuld the advanced educatin system cllabrate t better advance the Campus Alberta and Alberta Innvates brands internatinally? 3. Wrking in the field f internatinal educatin requires a cmplex set f skills, attitudes and knwledge f internatinalizatin and the intercultural/glbal dimensins f higher educatin. What rle des AET have in develping the cmpetencies f academics, administratrs and plicy makers wrking in the field? 6 Fr the purpses f this framewrk, internatinalizatin is defined as: the prcess f integrating an internatinal, intercultural, r glbal dimensin int the purpse, functins r delivery f pstsecndary educatin, Knight, J. (2003), Needed: updated internatinalizatin definitin, Internatinal Higher Educatin, Vl. 33 pp.2 3. Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 4
VISION Alberta is internatinally recgnized as a leader in learning, innvatin and entrepreneurialism thrugh Campus Alberta and Alberta Innvates, which serve as catalysts in supprt f Alberta s ecnmic and scial well being and the creatin f a knwledge driven future. PRINCIPLES Thrugh the Internatinal Educatin Framewrk, internatinal educatin activities are: Strategic Integrated and Effective Mutually Beneficial High Quality Sustainable Activities are pririty rientated 7 and systems rientated. Best practices and market intelligence are shared acrss the system; data supprting decisin making are cllected and shared. Activities are crdinated and cllabrative in line with Campus Alberta and Alberta Innvates utcmes and bjectives; rle clarity exists. Activities are mutually beneficial t institutins, the pst secndary learning system, learners and Albertans, and help t increase access thrugh nn displacement plicies and increased revenues. Activities ensure a high quality student experience is ffered; quality is embedded in internatinal educatin prgramming and student services. Activities are financially sustainable and perate, at a minimum, n a cst recvery basis, cntributing revenue t supprt verall csts. OUTCOMES The bjective f AET s Internatinal Educatin Framewrk is t set gals and utcmes fr internatinal educatin and prviding a strategic framewrk and directin in supprt f gvernment and institutins internatinal educatin activities. The specific utcmes fr internatinal educatin activities undertaken by the pst secndary system, relative t the visin and gals f Campus Alberta and Alberta Innvates include the fllwing: 1. A knwledge driven future: Alberta s internatinal learners, researchers and innvatrs cntribute tward the advancement f the knwledge ecnmy; supprt ecnmic diversificatin and grwth in areas f strategic advantage; and play an integral rle in supprt f the Alberta Innvates agenda. 2. Glbal strategic alliances: Alberta s lng term ecnmic and scial pririties are achieved thrugh strategic and cllabrative alliances with ther cuntries, businesses, and pstsecndary prviders. 7 The strategic pririties f PSIs and AET are in alignment with lng term GA strategic pririties (e.g. immigratin, rural develpment, ecnmic diversificatin, next generatin ecnmy etc.) Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 5
3. Alberta is a well recgnized leader in learning, research, and innvatin: Alberta is well recgnized internatinally fr learning, research, and innvatin pprtunities. 4. Sustainable pprtunities: The pst secndary and research and innvatin systems have apprpriate supprts that enable sustainable pprtunities fr learners, faculty, innvatrs, and researchers. 5. Glbal awareness, leadership, and entrepreneurial capacity: Alberta s learners, faculty, researchers, innvatrs, and entrepreneurs have cmpetencies, skills, cultural awareness, and understanding t cmpete and succeed n a glbal stage. Internatinal exchanges cntribute twards research and innvatin excellence. PRIORITY DIRECTIONS Internatinal educatin is cmprised f a range f activities invlving a variety f stakehlders, with a wide range f ratinales supprting their strategies. Therefre, it is imprtant fr the pst secndary system t develp a cmmn understanding f the ratinale fr internatinal educatin, alng with a set f cmmn strategies fr engaging in internatinal educatin activities. Pririty directins have been develped t supprt the achievement f the five utcme areas. These build the fundatin fr a strategic tl kit necessary fr a crdinated and cmmn apprach t internatinal educatin in Alberta s pst secndary sectr (see Appendix 2 fr key cmpnents). T assist institutins, key cnsideratins criteria have als been develped (see Appendix 3). OUTCOME 1 A KNOWLEDGE DRIVEN FUTURE PRIORITY DIRECTIONS Cmmn Strategic Planning Framewrk It is imprtant that institutins internatinal educatin activities are based n and reflected in an internatinal strategic plan. The ratinale shuld be related specifically t apprved mandates and articulate hw internatinal activities will help t achieve and align with the bjectives f Campus Alberta, Alberta Innvates and the Gvernment f Alberta (GA). Strategic plans als need t articulate the alignment f internatinal educatin activities in relatin t the bjectives f the Alberta Access Planning Framewrk (AAPF) and the Alberta Research Capacity Planning Framewrk (ARCPF), where apprpriate criteria are used when determining different gegraphic areas f interest (see Outcme 2). Critical t Alberta s future success in internatinal educatin will be nging cmmunicatin f prvincial strategic directins as well as the sharing f institutins strategic directins. Interdepartmental Alignment f Objectives and Crdinatin Multiple gvernment departments are invlved in internatinal activities. AET will play a key rle in crdinating and facilitating inter gvernmental and inter jurisdictinal activities related t internatinal activities within the pst secndary system. AET will ensure that bjectives f current and future internatinal educatin activities supprt the bjectives f Campus Alberta and Alberta Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 6
Innvates, as well as wider GA strategies, such as thse being develped by Alberta Emplyment and Immigratin, Alberta Educatin, Alberta Internatinal and Intergvernmental Relatins, and varius federal departments. AET will cntinue t act as a champin fr the pst secndary system at the prvincial, federal, and internatinal levels. In additin, AET will crdinate interactin with AET internatinal ffices and representatives abrad t ensure synergies where apprpriate. OUTCOME 2 GLOBAL STRATEGIC ALLIANCES PRIORITY DIRECTIONS Articulate Criteria fr the Determinatin f Gegraphic Areas f Interest fr Alberta Defining cmmn criteria fr the determinatin f gegraphic areas f interest in internatinal educatin activities will help align and recncile the strategies f institutins and gvernment alike. It will facilitate better crdinatin, cllabratin by supprting strategies t leverage existing pprtunities, such as: alumni links, Memrandum f Understandings (MOU) and research netwrks. Key criteria fr priritizing and researching key market pprtunities fr internatinal educatin activities must be cnsidered (see Appendix 4). Seizing Opprtunities thrugh Strategic Partnerships Frming strategic partnerships when engaging in internatinal activities is paramunt t achieving success in areas f cmmn interest and fulfilling the gals f Campus Alberta and Alberta Innvates. This apprach als helps increase pprtunities as well as reducing duplicatin f effrt and resurces. Examples f strategic partnerships may include ensuring all stakehlders in the system keep ne anther infrmed abut their individual plans fr internatinal activities, and determine what rles each will play in implementing the strategies when abrad. OUTCOME 3 ALBERTA IS A WELL RECOGNIZED LEADER IN LEARNING, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PRIORITY DIRECTIONS Increase Attractin and Retentin f Learners and Graduates Institutins need mechanisms t address the needs f the individual student. Fr example, barriers t attractin and retentin f learners and graduates need t be remved t ensure a better transitin rate frm student t resident and enhance the quality f the learner s experience. Mechanisms t cnsider are: targeted schlarships, immigratin and visa supprt services, strengthened qualificatins and credential recgnitin, ff campus wrk permit supprt, rientatin, and cultural activities. In additin, learning pprtunities shuld be respnsive and flexible t meet the needs f learners. It is imprtant that Campus Alberta prvides seamless recgnitin and transfer pprtunities fr bth internatinal and dmestic students. Attracting internatinal students, faculty, researchers, innvatrs, Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 7
and entrepreneurs t Alberta and retaining them as cntributing members t Alberta s ecnmy will help meet the shrt term need fr highly skilled wrkers (in pririty research areas such as health, biindustries, energy and envirnment), as well as the lnger term needs f a glbally cmpetitive knwledge driven ecnmy. Strengthen Reputatin f Campus Alberta Advanced Educatin and Technlgy recgnizes the imprtance f an integrated and strategic apprach t marketing Campus Alberta and its capacity fr excellence and quality as key t a successful internatinal framewrk. AET needs t cntinue t crdinate pprtunities fr institutinal cllabratin in internatinal marketing in rder t increase Alberta s brand recgnitin and verall market presence. Additinally, Campus Alberta s reputatin will be better maintained thrugh the implementatin f guidelines fr institutin agents representing Campus Alberta (see Appendix 5). Therefre, Campus Alberta cntinues t be an imprtant tl in attracting internatinal students, faculty, researchers, innvatrs and entrepreneurs t Alberta. Strengthen Quality Assurance f Campus Alberta Prgramming Implementing quality assurance mechanisms, develped jintly by AET and stakehlders, will ensure prgrams ffered abrad meet the same high standards delivered in Alberta (see Appendix 6). Alberta s institutins are increasingly delivering prgramming abrad, which has implicatins fr the reputatin f Campus Alberta and standards f quality. OUTCOME 4 SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES PRIORITY DIRECTIONS Sustainable and Effective Resurce Allcatin The lng term viability f internatinal educatin depends upn a sustained level f supprt fr prgrams and activities that prvide clear benefits t Alberta. This is necessary t ensure that access fr Albertans is nt cmprmised. Generally, internatinal educatin activities shuld be self sustaining thrugh the resurces and benefits generated. At the same time, it is understd that the benefits frm prpsed internatinal educatin activities d at times warrant a level f supprt frm gvernment. Given the current ecnmic envirnment, grwing demand, and available capacity, strategic chices need t be made regarding where resurces will be directed and t ensure that activities are clearly aligned with strategic utcmes. Articulatin f Prgram Qutas and Displacement Plicies A clear institutinal plicy n the preventin f the displacement f Alberta residents by internatinal students will serve t ensure access is maintained fr Albertans. Displacement ccurs when an Alberta permanent resident meets minimum qualificatins and is denied access t a prgram in favur f an internatinal student. Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 8
Prgram qutas fr internatinal student enrlment will als help t ensure access fr Albertans is maintained. While recgnizing that internatinal student recruitment is imprtant t the lng term ecnmic viability f the system and individual institutins, it is equally imprtant t recruit internatinal students strategically and emply measures fr mnitring t ensure that the desired utcmes f attractin and retentin are being achieved. Mechanisms fr Reprting Cst Recvery Advanced Educatin and Technlgy needs t wrk with institutins t cmmunicate prcesses fr financial reprting f internatinal activities that can be used t supprt and ratinalize these activities in institutinal strategic plans. This will help t ensure that full csts are being recvered and scial and ecnmic benefits assciated with internatinal educatin are realized. Increase Availability f Infrmatin in Supprt f Internatinal Activities It is imprtant that internatinal activities be clearly cmmunicated and measures be develped fr determining success in rder t gauge prgress twards the utcmes articulated in the Internatinal Educatin Framewrk. Enhanced infrmatin and data gathering relative t institutins internatinal activities will supprt infrmed decisin making acrss the system. In additin, institutins need mechanisms t ensure that data n market intelligence and gegraphic areas f interest criteria are shared within the system. This will serve t encurage synergies between student recruitment and research and innvatin activities acrss the system. OUTCOME 5 GLOBAL AWARENESS, LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURIAL CAPACITY PRIORITY DIRECTIONS Strengthen Knwledge Transfer and Sharing f Best Practices Advanced Educatin and Technlgy will strengthen and supprt knwledge transfer and best practices within the pst secndary system. Knwledge transfer and sharing f best practices prvides a base fr infrmed decisin making and effective planning in pst secndary institutins and gvernment. Fr example, market intelligence cllected by AET will be shared within the system and acrss GA t encurage synergies and achieve a mre unified apprach in achieving the bjectives f Campus Alberta. Develp Standards fr Study Abrad Prgrams Standards f best practice fr study abrad prgrams fr Alberta learners will be develped and implemented by institutins. This will maintain quality standards and guide the develpment f new and existing prgrams ffered by pst secndary institutins t ensure cnsideratin has been given t prgram develpment, preparatin and care f students ging abrad, supprt services, prgram assessment and verall student utcmes. Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 9
Strengthen Internatinal Teaching and Learning Practices Pst secndary prgrams that have internatinal elements need t be clearly defined and linked t utcmes and bjectives identified in the institutin s strategic plan. These prgrams include institutinal partnerships that will facilitate internatinalized learning and teaching practices (student exchanges, jint degrees), cllabrative research, and faculty and student mbility. Embedding internatinal elements in the learning and teaching practices at pst secndary institutins helps t develp Alberta s human capital and expses Albertans t new mdels f entrepreneurialism. These elements serve t create glbal cmpetencies amng Alberta s learners, faculty, researchers, innvatrs and entrepreneurs, which in turn supprt Alberta s ability t cmpete in glbal markets. Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 10
APPENDIX 1: RATIONALE FOR THE ENGAGEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES The purpse f this ratinale is t prmpt deliberatin n the reasns fr and the cmplexities behind engaging in internatinal educatin activities. This list is by n means exhaustive. Alberta pstsecndary institutins will need t cnsider this ratinale and their wn mandates when develping their internatinal educatin strategies. Table 1. Ratinale fr Internatinal Educatin What are the benefits f internatinal activities t a jurisdictin? Ecnmic diversificatin and grwth Attractin, retentin and immigratin f highly qualified persnnel Develpment f an internatinally skilled, cmpetitive wrkfrce Cmpany attractin, business pprtunity creatin, and netwrk building Creatin f a vibrant and culturally rich cmmunity Securing lng term ecnmic relatinships with ther cuntries Internatinal prfile enhancement What are the benefits f internatinal activities t a pst secndary institutin and learners? Internatinal prfile and reputatin enhancement Quality enhancement/internatinal standards Student and staff develpment Revenue generatin Strategic partnerships and alliances Knwledge and innvatin prductin/enhancement thrugh access t expertise nt elsewhere available Cmpetency enhancement and glbal/cultural awareness Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 11
APPENDIX 2: STRATEGIC TOOL KIT: MATRIX OF KEY OUTCOMES AND KEY COMPONENTS Key Outcmes A knwledge driven future: Alberta s internatinal learners, researchers and innvatrs cntribute tward the advancement f the knwledge ecnmy; supprt ecnmic diversificatin and grwth; supprt areas f strategic advantage; and play an integral rle in supprt f the Alberta Innvates agenda. Glbal strategic alliances: Alberta s lng term ecnmic and scial pririties are achieved thrugh strategic and cllabrative alliances with ther cuntries, businesses, and pst secndary prviders. Alberta is a well recgnized leader in learning, research, and innvatin: Alberta is well recgnized internatinally fr learning, research, and innvatin pprtunities. Sustainable pprtunities: The pst secndary and research and innvatin systems have apprpriate supprts that enable sustainable pprtunities fr learners, faculty, innvatrs, and researchers. Glbal awareness, leadership, and entrepreneurial capacity: Alberta s learners, faculty, researchers, innvatrs, and entrepreneurs have cmpetencies, skills, cultural awareness, and understanding t cmpete and succeed n a glbal stage. Internatinal exchanges cntribute twards innvatin excellence. Key Cmpnents (Tls and Elements) Institutins strategic plans Alignment with high demand prgrams and market need (Institutinal Access Plan link) Access Planning Framewrk Research Capacity Planning Framewrk Alberta Innvates/Campus Alberta Chesive apprach t target marketing System ambassadrs/alumni Cllabrative research initiatives C perative educatin (acrss jurisdictins/institutins) Freign based training fr temprary freign wrkers/immigrants (cst recvery) Strategic cmmn branding and messaging Identify and cmmunicate the success stries Web presence Standards fr agents/standards fr prgrams abrad Streamlined applicatin prcesses (visa/institutin/ff campus wrk permits) Emplyment search assistance Quality assurance fr ff campus prgrams Language prgrams/bridging prgrams fr freign trained learners Qualificatins recgnitin Cllabrative and targeted student/researcher recruitment Private sectr engagement (research, c p prgrams, emplyment) Tuitin fee plicy Access and displacement plicies /prgram qutas Strategic resurce allcatin Market intelligence gathering, learner/graduate tracking Limit subsidizatin thrugh Enrlment Planning Envelpe (self sustaining emphasis) Market intelligence/knwledge sharing Internatinalized teaching and learning practices Student and faculty exchanges Jint degree prgrams (acrss jurisdictins/institutins) Develpment f entrepreneurial capacity Leadership develpment Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 12
APPENDIX 3: STRATEGIC TOOL KIT: KEY CONSIDERATIONS CRITERIA FOR INSTITUTIONS The purpse f these key cnsideratins is t prmpt deliberatin n the pririty directins arund internatinal activities fr institutins. These cnsideratins are by n means exhaustive. Alberta pstsecndary institutins will need t apply these cnsideratins within their wn cntexts and mandates. PLANNING GUIDELINES: Key Cnsideratins fr Pririty Actins fr Pst Secndary Institutins System Alignment and Crdinatin Internatinal Plan Des the institutin s internatinal plan include a visin statement, utcmes and measures fr success, linked t thse utlined in AET s Internatinal Educatin Framewrk? Des the institutin s internatinal plan include a statement: acknwledging the ratinale fr engagement in internatinal educatinal activities (see Appendix 1)? which aligns internatinal educatin activities with the institutin s sectr mandate? which aligns internatinal educatin activities with Campus Alberta, Alberta Innvates and GA bjectives? which aligns internatinal educatin activities with the Alberta Access Planning Framewrk? which aligns internatinal educatin activities with the Alberta Research Capacity Planning Framewrk? (Cmprehensive Academic and Research Institutins nly) utlining the criteria cnsidered when engaging in different gegraphic areas f interest? Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 13
Wrkfrce Develpment Mechanisms Internatinal Learner Have utcmes fr the internatinal student been clearly demnstrated t articulate prgram value t their learning experience? Are ratinale and bjectives fr their learning clearly defined and linked t utcmes in the institutin s internatinal plan? What are the mechanisms in place t ensure the attractin and retentin f learners? Fr example: institutinal internatinal schlarships (aligned with GA pririties). immigratin and visa applicatin supprt with Citizenship and Immigratin Canada (CIC). supprt fr ff campus wrk permit applicatins and jb search. rientatin and cultural activities t supprt integratin within the cmmunity. assistance t internatinal students fr imprved credential recgnitin within the system. Alberta Learner Have utcmes fr the Alberta student been clearly demnstrated t articulate prgram value t their learning experience? Are ratinale and bjectives fr their learning clearly defined and linked t utcmes in the institutin s internatinal plan? Have standards fr study abrad prgrams been met (e.g. due diligence in prgram develpment, minimal standards fr the preparatin and care f students ging abrad, prvisin f adequate supprt services and prgram assessment)? Enhancement and Quality Assurance What are the mechanisms t ensure cllabrative effrts with ther Campus Alberta institutins? Have guidelines f best practice been issued t and implemented by Agents representing the institutin abrad? Have quality assurance guidelines been implemented fr prgrams delivered abrad? Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 14
Data sharing Mechanisms What are the mechanisms in place t ensure that key infrmatin/data n internatinal educatin activities is cllected and shared with the system and gvernment? Access Management Mechanisms D prgrams with internatinal elements have ratinale and bjectives clearly defined and linked t utcmes in the institutin s internatinal plan? What is the institutin s stated displacement plicy and hw des it ensure access? If prgram qutas are used, what are the threshlds fr enrlment f internatinal learners? Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 15
APPENDIX 4: STRATEGIC TOOL KIT: POTENTIAL CRITERIA FOR GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF INTEREST The purpse f these criteria is t prmpt deliberatin n the reasns fr and the cmplexities behind entering int anther jurisdictinal area f interest. This list is by n means exhaustive. Alberta pstsecndary institutins will need t apply these criteria within their wn cntexts and mandates. Ptential Criteria fr Gegraphic Areas f Interest Des the jurisdictin have research strengths that cmpliment the research pririties f the GA and further supprt the utcmes frm the Rles and Mandates fr Alberta s Prvincially Funded Research and Innvatin System? Des the jurisdictin have innvatin strengths that cmpliment GA pririties and further supprt the bjectives f Alberta s Bringing Technlgy t Market Actin Plan? Des the jurisdictin have ptential students that: have qualificatins that are easily transferable int a Canadian cntext; can easily acquire a student visa; can acquire apprpriate funding; have a likelihd f transitining t a permanent resident; r have cmpetencies that align with AET Research pririties and/r Emplyment and Immigratin gals? Des Campus Alberta have significant alumni, faculty and institutinal relatins r infrmal netwrks within the jurisdictin which can be leveraged? Des the GA have existing frmal alliances r linkages with the jurisdictin which can be leveraged? Des the institutin have plans t mitigate the risks assciated with entering int anther jurisdictin (e.g. plitical r ecnmic instability and the assciated risk t staff, students and the reputatin f Campus Alberta/Alberta Innvates)? Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 16
APPENDIX 5: QUALITY ASSURANCE CHECKLIST FOR AGENTS REPRESENTING CAMPUS ALBERTA The purpse f this checklist is t prmpt deliberatin n guidelines fr agents representing Campus Alberta abrad, in particular student recruitment agents. This list is by n means exhaustive. Alberta pst secndary institutins will need t apply these criteria within their wn cntexts and mandates. Recruitment agents and pst secndary institutins must fllw best practice arund the fllwing items: Organizatinal effectiveness (invlving transparent and accuntable fiscal practices invlving students and the pst secndary institutins); Integrity f recruitment prcess; Student and family engagement pre and pst enrlment; Institutinal engagement pre and pst recruitment; and Cmplaints prcess. In additin, Agents must: have knwledge f Campus Alberta; adhere t truth in advertising; respect fr intellectual prperty (use nly authrized material); be accuntable (fr their peratins, staff, finances); avid cnflicts f interest; shw transparency and integrity f services rendered; and shw apprpriateness and accuracy f services rendered. Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 17
APPENDIX 6: QUALITY ASSURANCE CHECKLIST FOR CROSS BORDER DELIVERY OF CAMPUS ALBERTA PROGRAMS This checklist was develped in February 2009, by a wrking grup established by the Campus Alberta Quality Cuncil (CAQC), tgether with representatives f the Internatinal Educatin branch f the Ministry f Advanced Educatin and Technlgy, and f the Universities f Alberta and Calgary. 8 The purpse f this checklist was t prmpt thughtful deliberatin n the reasns fr and the cmplexities f ffering academic prgrams at an ff campus site r with a partner institutin. Highlights frm the checklist include: Institutins shuld be cnversant with the lcal issues and the impacts n educatin, trade, and dialgue with lcal cmmunities and gvernments. The prgramming ffered needs t cntribute t the brader scial and ecnmic well being f cmmunities and be culturally sensitive in apprach and cntent. Students shuld have apprpriate access t academic and persnal supprt. Equitable prvisins fr student discipline and appeal shuld be in place. Where apprpriate the fferings shuld invlve and strengthen lcal institutins. Offerings shuld be designed t respect the principle f transferability. Prper authrizatin t perate and ffer prgramming acrss brders shuld be btained. A culture f nging quality review, feedback, and imprvement shuld be fstered by establishing quality assurance prcesses that rely n faculty expertise and incrprate the views f students. Institutins shuld cperate with assciatins, and relevant gvernment and nn gvernment bdies t develp quality assurance principles, and fster the exchange f infrmatin related t recgnitin f credentials acrss brders. Institutins have the bligatin t prvide reliable infrmatin t the public, students and gvernments in a practive manner, particularly with respect t the institutin s legal status, credential granting authrity, curse and prgram fferings, quality assurance mechanisms and standards f gd practice. 8 The checklist is included in the Tlkit fr Off site and Crss brder Delivery f Prgrams and can be fund n CAQC s website at http://www.caqc.gv.ab.ca/pdfs/tlkit.pdf. Internatinal Educatin Framewrk 18