West Bank Student Denied Access to University by Israel

This is a sad, but unfortunately not surprising, story about how an Israeli crackdown on migration between Gaza and the West Bank for Palestinians has impacted college matriciculation.  I think it's an interesting follow-up to my previous post about education being the best weapon against terrorism.  Also, another example of how geo-political issues impact higher education in largely unintended ways.

Terrorism in Pakistan Aimed at Higher Education

This is an article from The Chronicle (a link, not an upload) about terrorist bombings in Pakistan that have shut down almost all institutions of higher education in the country.  Of particular interest is the comment left by a reader about how education the most effective 'weapon' against terrorism.

Interesting Article on the new King Abdullah University

An interesting examination of leadership challenges as a new university is built in Saudi Arabia.

A Full Online Magazine Dealing with Education in the Middle East Region

The Institute for International Education publishes an online (and print) magazine focusing on educational issues in the Middle East.  This link is for the latest issue.

Improving the Management of Quality Assurance in the Arab Region Conference

I came across the website for the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE). They just had a conference this past weekend (through today) on how to improve quality assurance between local agencies and institutions. Here is a link of the agenda. It looks like they are discussing many of the same issues that we have been discussing in class. I thought it was interesting that they brought in speakers from around the world (beyond the middle east) to inform their conversation.

Faculty Mobility in Israel

As we discuss faculty mobility this week, I thought you may find this article interesting.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel) was shown data demonstrating a brain drain issue with faculty and academics going abroad and not returning to Israel. He has now created a Committee to address the issue and secure funding to lure faculty to stay in Israel. He uses the term "vacuum" in his article when referring to designing a body to attract faculty back to institutions in Israel.

Earlier articles show that 25% of academics leave Israel . (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/939846.html). It seems like this issue has been discussed over the last few years in Israel under different leadership.

American and Palestinian Institutions to Partner

This is a news article about the partnership between Bard College from the US and al-Quds University in the West Bank. In addition to being another example of international partnerships between institutions, there is an added wrinkle in that the degrees awarded will be from Bard College. Apart from the general prestige of American institutions that we've discussed in class previously, there is a political advantage as Israel does not recognize degrees from al-Quds, but would degrees from Bard. Not quite a quality assurance issue, but another example of how the imprimatur of an American institution is advantageous on the global scene.

Complexity in Quality Assurance in a Rapidly Growing Free Economic Environment: A UAE Case Study

I found this article to be particularly relevant to this weeks readings. It concerns the UAE attemts to address the issue of accreditation for its relatively new higher education system and discusses the topic from a cross-border higher education framework. It is interesting to see the challenges they are facing and the structure they are developing in response.

Foreign Universities and Students in Israel

Here is a page from the Israeli Embassy about the various kinds of institutions from outside the country that have a formal presence in Israel.  Interestingly inlcuded are public universities, private non-profits, for profits and, of course, Jewish theology schools.  Also interesting are the number of domestic Israeli institutions that have formal programs for international students to attend in-country.  I think this site is a great illustration of the student mobility issues that we will be discussing in a few weeks.

The Road Not Traveled: Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa

Here is a comprehensive report from 2007 discussing the links between education and labor in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA):

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTMENA/Resources/EDU_Flagship_Full_ENG.pdf