“International Academic Partnerships: What Are They For and Who Do They Benefit?” by Christopher Hill of the British University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has been announced as a Spotlight Presentation at The 9th Asian Conference on Education & International Development (ACEID2023).
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Abstract
International Academic Partnerships: What Are They For and Who Do They Benefit?
Does a university exist in isolation, or does it have a responsibility to externalise and connect? With shifting patterns of recruitment and ever changing funding sources, there is a clear need to examine the role of a university within its own environment and in the wider world.
Most academic institutions will be members of some form of consortia or international partnership. This paper asks whether these consortia are living up to their full potential, particularly in light of recent developments in higher education and the need for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to activity. In exploring the motivations behind consortia, the paper presents a typology that identifies and categorises the different forms of engagement and activity. What becomes evident is that the very nature and design of consortia are often at odds with their actual impact. Does that really matter? Even if the collaboration may be more in name than in practice, is the demonstration of willingness to work together at least one benefit, maybe even that first important step towards true partnership and impact.
Speaker Biography
Christopher Hill
British University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Professor Christopher Hill has worked in international higher education since 2008, spending 9 years in Malaysia and 7 in Dubai. Christopher is a Visiting Professor at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, an IC Global Fellow, OBHE Associate, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Specialist for the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, an Adjunct Researcher for the Higher Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan and External Examiner for the University of Birmingham in Dubai.
Hill's research interests include TNE; online learning; and the development of international education and the student experience. Projects include enhancing university links between Thailand and the UK; developing guidelines for TNE in the Philippines; designing a strategic framework for higher education reform in Pakistan; developing PhD supervisors and research capacity in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; evaluating student employability and skill development in Sub Saharan Africa; and supporting internationalisation of teaching and learning and the provision of EMI at key institutions in Taiwan.
Hill hosts the Think Education podcast that provides a platform for reflection and discussion on research practice and teaching and learning within higher education.
