CHEMP Projects
Concept
Increasingly, policy-makers at the state, national and federal level take into account the international dimension when contemplating development strategies relating to the role and function of higher education in their societies. This requires the availability of international comparative data. Commonly, this data is provided by international organisations such as the OECD, supra-national bodies such as the European Commission, or country-specific initiatives such as the European Higher Education Policy Monitor commissioned by the Dutch national government. Although the international dimension features prominently in the Australian policy debate on economic growth and the role of higher education in this, its nearest economic-political region, i.e. the Asia-Pacific Region, is almost absent in any international comparative database. Few would deny the importance of the developments taking place in this region, yet little reliable comparative data exists.
Scope of the monitor
Initially, the monitor will include the following countries: Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Indonesia, India, and the Philippines will be incorporated over time given the problems with data availability. The necessity of inclusion, however, is evident.
CHEMP project team
The Asia-Pacific Higher Education Policy Monitor project will be led by A/Prof.Dr. Leo Goedegebuure together with Prof.Dr. Lynn Meek, supported by Dr. Jeannet van der Lee. A network of in-country experts will be set up to comment on draft reports and to facilitate access to local data sources.
Objectives
The objective is to fill this information gap by developing an Asia-Pacific Higher Education Policy Monitor. This monitor will provide policy relevant data and analysis for national/federal ministries and coordinating agencies on higher education in a number of Asia-Pacific countries to inform and assist policy development. The monitor will also provide international benchmarks as to the state of development of national higher education systems, based on recognised and validated system indicators..
Products
The monitor will produce the following documents on a regular basis:
* Country reports, according to a common format;
* Thematic reports, providing international comparative analyses and benchmarks;
* Annual trend reports, on the basis of selected indicators;
* Annual policy updates, based on international comparative analyses.
Dissemination and sustainability
In addition to online publication of the products mentioned, a quarterly newsletter will be produced for registered subscribers. Annually, a high level policy seminar will be organised in the region, bringing together key policymakers and international scholars to review a specific theme. On request, tailored analyses will be provided by the CHEMP staff.
Higher degree research projects
The Policy Monitor offers ample opportunity for research projects in and between the countries listed at the Master and PhD level. For further information, please contact Leo at lgoedege@une.edu.au