[AU-Harmon-AAU-QA] Beginning the discussion

[Alison Schmidt]

Hello Neil and colleagues

 

The documents are overwhelmingly huge and even the purpose and goals
stated below are vast in their scope and implications. In my reading of
the documents I was trying to find the place that told me exactly what
this discussion will be about and what the outcome will be. I would like
to join a discussion that is really pragmatic and to the point and moves
us toward a tangible outcome, such as a system that can realistically be
implemented across the continent.

 

I suggest that the ideal outcome for a harmonization strategy would be
that all tertiary providers subscribe to a common academic
infrastructure (system of levels and credits, subject benchmarks, and
agreed definitions and specifications for types of qualification) and
redevelop their curricula and academic regulations accordingly. This has
huge transition and resourcing implications for individual providers and
is probably unrealistic.

 

An alternative but more pragmatic outcome is probably the establishment
of a data base and system that enables providers to assess entry
qualifications and/or award cross credit on the basis of equivalent
level, credit value and content scope of an applicant's qualifications.
Is this what is meant by "bridging the gap" below?

 

I suggest that a good starting point is might be some agreed definitions
of such terms as: cross credit, credit transfer, recognition of prior
learning, recognition of current competence. Another good starting point
might be some discussion of how qualifications are "packaged" in
different countries - what are the various frameworks that are used to
develop and describe qualifications (such as levels/credits) and what is
the equivalence between them.

 

Regard 

 

Alison Schmidt

Centre for Academic Development

University of Botswana

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________

From: au-harmon-aau-qa-bounces at elists.aau.org
[mailto:au-harmon-aau-qa-bounces at elists.aau.org] On Behalf Of Neil
Butcher
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 1:52 PM
To: au-harmon-aau-qa at elists.aau.org
Subject: [AU-Harmon-AAU-QA] beginning the discussion

 

Dear Colleagues

I hope that your enthusiasm for the Discussion List has not been
dampened by the large documents sent for your review on Monday. As
indicated, if your time is limited, kindly review the summary of the
strategy. 

Below I have extracted a couple of key statements from the document.

The Purpose of Harmonisation

The specific purpose is to establish harmonized higher education systems
across Africa, while strengthening the capacity of higher education
institutions to meet the tertiary education needs of African countries
through collaboration and ensuring that the quality of higher education
is systematically improved against common, agreed benchmarks of
excellence and facilitates mobility of graduates and academics across
the continent.

The goals of harmonization are to:

1.      Advocate and raise awareness of the potential and value of
harmonization of higher education programmes;

2.      Bridge the gap between disparate educational systems that exist
as a result of colonial legacies by coordinating efforts of national
accreditation bodies, and regional bodies to discuss and resolve their
successes and challenges;

3.      Provide an integrating platform for dialogue and action to
develop strong regional harmonization initiatives that cohere into a
continental process of harmonization;

4.      Facilitate and promote mobility of African students, graduates,
and academic staff across the continent;

5.      Facilitate the development of effective quality assurance
mechanisms; and

6.      Ensure that African higher education institutions become an
increasingly dynamic force in the international higher education arena.

Based on these understandings of harmonisation, what implication do you
think this has for higher education institutions and other key role
players in Africa? 

I look forward to your thoughts on this.

Regards

Neil

Neil Butcher and Associates

Reg. No. CK2000/143539/23


Tel No:       +27 11 486-3651
Fax No:      +27 11 646-9800
Cell No:      +27 83 603-7773

Email:           neilshel at icon.co.za

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