University Governance: "A Key to Effective Higher Education Reform in Egypt"
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Alexandria—the BA in cooperation with Ford Foundation is organizing during the period from 26-28 March 2007 a conference entitled " University Governance: "A Key to Effective Higher Education Reform in Egypt". The conference is designed to bring together leading experts from Egypt, the Arab region and the world to discuss the challenges facing higher education in Egypt and how the structure and management of universities and higher education institutes relates to them.
The conference sheds light on one of the crucial issues affecting education in Egypt, and thus affecting the Egyptian reform process at large. The conference raises three questions related to higher education in Egypt, be it public or private:
1- What is the appropriate balance between preparing students for employment in a rapidly changing marketplace, and the more traditional functions of the university as provider of liberal education and societal values?
2- What is the proper role of technical institutes and that of the university?
3- Would the student be prepared to be a citizen only of his national culture, or should he be prepared, as well, to identify and play a major role in the international culture?
Participants will present case studies from around the world, discuss options for Egypt and recommend a general approach, and develop a strategy for implementation.
The three day conference will start with an opening session on "University Governance What it is – Why now". The second day will include sessions discussing "Models and Challenges of Higher Education" and "Research, Industry, IPR and the Universities". Five parallel sessions will be held on Universities in Egypt, namely: "Management, Finances and Ownership"; "Laws Governing Higher Education; Quality and Competitiveness"; "Students and Faculty Role"; and "Universities and the Society: University Hospitals, Technological Hubs, Engineering and Industries". A final reporting session will be held on the third day of the conference wrapping up all previous discussions.
Click here for the tentative program.