United States Education Cooperation with Vietnam
In a Memorandum of Understanding signed by United States Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs James Glassman and Vietnam Vice Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan, the two countries: Expressed their wish to enhance friendship between peoples and cooperation in the field of higher education; Recognized the importance of higher education in economic development; and Recognized the importance of public-private sector partnerships between American and Vietnamese universities, colleges, and other organizations that support training and education projects.

To develop strategies to deepen cooperation further in higher education, including contacts between educational institutions, they agreed to establish an Education Task Force, which will: Encourage more and deeper linkages and joint programs between American and Vietnamese universities (including discussions about the best path to create a U.S. model higher education institution in Vietnam with the support of American universities and colleges, and simplifying procedures to establish new education and exchange programs in Vietnam);

Increase the number of Vietnamese studying at American universities and colleges, especially PhD students (including the United States’ initiative to facilitate an increase in the number of Vietnamese students studying in universities in the United States at all levels, and the Vietnamese interest in seeing more Vietnamese receiving United States graduate degrees); and promote educational programs designed to help Vietnamese students acquire the skills needed in Vietnam’s modernizing economy.

The two leaders also noted the following recent and upcoming development in bilateral cooperation in education: Launch of the Fulbright Economic Teaching Program’s Master’s Degree in Public Policy in September 2008; Implementation of the Global Undergraduate program, through which Vietnamese university students will study in the U.S. for one year beginning in September 2008; Expansion of the Fulbright Program in August 2008 to include the English Teaching Assistants Program, through which English Teaching Assistants will be placed at Vietnamese universities; and Holding an Education Conference hosted by the U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Education and Training in January 2008 to bring American and Vietnamese universities together.

Prime Minister Dung participated in a Roundtable of Education co-hosted by the Department of State and the Association of American Universities (AAU) on June 25, focusing on the needs of Vietnamese higher education and assistance rendered through United States government and U.S. private sector initiatives.


Asian Education Consortium
In order to facilitate progression for international students wishing to study AEC Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and ACCA programmes, AEC has launched its Foundation Diploma in English as a Foreign Language programme. Successful students are tested against IELTS equivalent levels as some programmes require that they sit the British Council IELTS test before starting their AEC programmes. This English programme also ensures that students have the requisite level of academic English to eventually progress to full undergraduate degree programmes.

Through strategic partnerships with internationally recognized universities and professional bodies, we offer you quality programs in Business, Tourism and Hospitality, Media & Communications, Early Childhood Learning Programs etc, amongst many others. With AEC, you will find friendly, caring, experienced and qualified teachers to support you with a total learning environment that suits your work, family and study lifestyle.

AEC Business School Pte Ltd
167, Jln Bukit Merah
Connection 1, Tower 4
#02-13, Singapore 150167

 

Institute for College Access & Success
College Cooperation Could Yield More Grant Aid for Needy Students
Report Finds Current Law Prevents Efforts to Limit Merit Aid
(Berkeley, CA) – Over the past two decades, colleges and universities have increasingly engaged in financial aid “bidding wars” for students with high test scores or grades but little or no financial need. Using so-called “merit aid” to attract certain types of students can, among other things, increase a college’s ranking in popular magazines. A new white paper suggests that colleges could free up significantly more funding for need-based financial aid if they could legally work together to curb these bidding wars.

A new study by the Institute for College Access & Success, Time to Reexamine Institutional Cooperation on Financial Aid, finds that in 2005-06 colleges awarded at least $3 billion of grant aid in excess of need, while many students went without adequate aid.

“Colleges get drawn into bidding wars because their peers are doing it, but many would welcome the chance to limit this competition and redirect aid towards needier students,” said Robert Shireman, president of the Institute for College Access & Success.

The white paper includes an opinion from a leading antitrust law firm, Shearman & Sterling LLC, which concluded that such constructive cooperation among colleges is too risky in the current legal environment. The Institute suggests that Congress consider creating temporary exemptions in antitrust law to see whether colleges can effectively work together to improve aid and access for low-income students. These exemptions would build on a narrow exemption already used by 27 elite institutions.

Institutional cooperation on financial aid has been a thorny legal issue since the early 1990s when the Department of Justice investigated 57 private four-year colleges to determine if their cooperation violated antitrust laws. These schools were actually working together to try to avoid bidding wars that divert aid from needier students. The Department did bring suit against some colleges, which quickly settled the matter and stopped communicating about financial aid. However, an appeal by MIT, and an exemption for some colleges created by Congress in 1992 have made the legal environment around this issue uncertain.

An independent, nonprofit organization, the Institute for College Access & Success works to make higher education more available and affordable for people of all backgrounds. By conducting and supporting nonpartisan research, analysis, and advocacy, the Institute aims to improve the processes and public policies that can pave the way to successful educational outcomes for students and for society.


The Programme of Strategic Cooperation
between Irish Aid and Higher Education and Research Institutes
 The Programme of Strategic Cooperation between Irish Aid and Higher Education and Research Institutes (2007–2011) was launched in December 2006 with a budget of €12.5 million. On 5th July 2007, the Minister of State, Michael Kitt, announced that over €7 million in funding was being awarded to higher-education and research institutes in Ireland for research into development issues. The institutions to whom this funding was awarded were
 
National University of Ireland Maynooth,
Mary Immaculate College Limerick,
University College Dublin,
Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland
Centre for Cross Border Studies.

Networking grants were also awarded to Dublin City University and Dundalk Institute of Technology. Out of a total of five successful projects, MIC is involved with three, being the lead partner in one and partnering in two other projects.

 

E&I ADDS BEST BUY TO ITS PORTFOLIO THROUGH
A NEW COMPETITIVELY AWARDED CONTRACT
Members Save on a Wide Variety of Products and Services from the Nation’s Largest Specialty Retailer of Consumer Electronics

JERICHO, N.Y. — Higher education institutions can now save more on the most up-to-date audio-visual products and appliances with a new competitively awarded contract from E&I Cooperative Purchasing. The nation’s largest buying cooperative for higher education, E&I, is now offering its members access to its first Best Buy contract. Through this agreement, members can take advantage of the following benefits:

Plentiful products – Access to 300,000 products from nearly 1,200 manufacturers including information technology products, commercial grade audio visual, consumer electronics and small/large appliances.
Preferred pricing – Members will receive significant savings over standard Best Buy education pricing
Customized pricing  –  Even deeper discounts are available for qualifying institutions
Convenience – Best Buy’s customized E&I website allows members to make purchases online. Plus, members will have access to installation, repair and warranty services
Free ground shipping – The agreement includes free shipping within contiguous United States (size and weight restrictions may apply)

The Best Buy brand is synonymous with great selection, knowledgeable staff and the belief that technology can be fun. Since its inception in 1966, Best Buy has grown steadily and enhanced its business through inspired innovations. Focused on heightening its customers’ enjoyment of technology, Best Buy is committed to delivering the newest and broadest array of technology products from around the world.

“We’re thrilled to add this industry-leader to our portfolio,” said Tom Fitzgerald, CEO of E&I Cooperative. “Our members will reap significant savings and benefits from the contract’s collection of products and services – an excellent match for our members on many levels.” 

About E&I
As the nation’s largest buying cooperative for higher education, E&I Cooperative Purchasing uses the combined purchasing power of more than 1,500 colleges, universities, prep schools, K-12 schools and other educationally focused institutions to deliver lower costs on a wide range of competitively solicited and negotiated contracts from national and regional suppliers across the U.S. Established in 1934 by members of the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), E&I meets the needs of its members by continually pursuing high-quality supplier contracts and developing new initiatives in the areas of strategic sourcing, compliance, e-commerce, supplier diversity and competitive bidding. E&I’s competitive RFP process is validated by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) as meeting generally accepted procurement standards across the nation. For more information, please go to: www.eandi.org.


Yemen, France discuss higher education cooperation
Education and Scientific Research Saleh Ba-Surrah discussed on Monday with the French scientific and technical attaché at the French embassy in Sana'a Jan Cerkis bilateral cooperation and the French support for Yemen in the field of higher education and scientific research. 

They also discussed France's participation in establishing the project of a national museum for sciences as well as the French support for the project of information network for higher education. The minister valued support offered by France for various areas, particularly higher education and scientific research, affirming concern of Yemen to benefit from the French experience in this field and reinforce relations between the Yemeni and French universities.

For his part, the French diplomat affirmed approval of his country to support establishing information network according to talks held in this respect, noting that implementation will start in the beginning of the coming year through Lion University. He also asserted his country's readiness to establish the national museum for sciences and train Yemen cadres in the field of museums management, noting France's interest to reinforce its ties with Yemen in different fields and developing cooperation between the Yemeni and French universities.

 

Diane Auer Jones selected as new President and CEO of The Washington Campus, Inc.
The board of directors of The Washington Campus today announced that The Honorable Diane Auer Jones has been named as its new president and CEO.  Jones resigned her post as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education at the Department of Education effective May 30, 2008.

Founded in 1978 by L. William Seidman, The Washington Campus is a consortium of 16 major university business schools committed to educating graduate business students and corporate executives about the complexities of government decision-making.  Participants gain an understanding of key policy issues as well as the legislative and budget processes so that they are well positioned to engage effectively in the policy-making process. 

 “We’re so pleased that The Washington Campus will benefit from Secretary Jones’ leadership at this important time in our organization’s history,” said The Honorable Kenneth A. Guenther, Chairman of the Board of Directors.  “She brings with her experience, not only as a higher education leader, but as a business owner, innovative thinker and strategic policy-maker.  This unique skill set will ensure that The Washington Campus continues to deliver cutting-edge programs that help future business leaders understand the critical intersection between business and public policy.” 

At the U.S. Department of Education, Secretary Jones served as the principal advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings on matters related to postsecondary education.  Additionally, her office administered over 50 grant programs that support higher education nationwide. 

“Diane’s leadership and expertise on matters related to post-secondary education will be missed,” said Secretary Spellings.  “She’s been an asset to the higher education team at the Department and she’s provided valuable insights on a multitude of front-burner issues impacting post-secondary education.  I know that as she tackles this new challenge, those with whom she works will benefit from her intellect and enthusiasm for providing educational opportunities for all Americans.”      

Trained as a molecular biologist, Secretary Jones’ career began as a laboratory director and biology professor.  She later ventured into small business as the founding owner of a natural and gourmet food store, a healthcare and wellness center, and as a founding co-owner of an environmental biotechnology company. 

With funding from the National Science Foundation, Secretary Jones later established a biotechnology institute at the Community College of Baltimore County to train high-skilled technicians for the burgeoning biotechnology industry in the Baltimore-Washington area. 

In 2000, Secretary Jones became a program officer at the National Science Foundation before moving to a career in science policy, serving during the 107th Congress as a majority professional staff member and acting staff director for the Research Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science.  She returned to higher education serving as Princeton University’s Director of the Office of Government Affairs from 2003-2005. 

In 2005, Secretary Jones joined the Bush Administration as the Deputy to the Associate Director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President.  In May 2007, President George W. Bush nominated her to serve as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education; the Senate confirmed her on August 1, 2007.


The Tempus Programme: modernising higher education in the EU's neighbouring countries
The European Commission has launched the fourth phase of the Tempus programme, which supports the modernisation of higher education in the 28 partner countries of Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. A conference held in Cairo, Egypt, on 7-8 May 2008 will concentrate on the issue of quality and the experience of the Tempus programme in this field since its beginnings in 1990. The conference will also serve as a platform for dialogue between academics, experts and students from the 27 EU Member States and 28 Tempus partner countries.

On the eve of the conference, Ján Figel', the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, said "Tempus will continue to promote the modernisation of higher education in the partner countries, enhance the quality and relevance of higher education, and build up the capacity of higher education institutions in the partner countries to assist them in opening up to society and the world."

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, added: “A modern and efficient higher education system is key for the successful development of a country. This is why education is always a high priority in our assistance programmes with third countries, particularly in the neighbourhood. And for me, ensuring women's access to higher education and professional training is instrumental."

With Tempus, the European Commission is creating an area of cooperation in the field of higher education between the European Union and its neighbours. Since 1990, Tempus has funded 6500 projects, involving 2000 universities from the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.

Between 2000 and 2006, 788 Joint European Projects and 1492 individual mobility grants were funded. In addition, during the same period, Tempus supported 270 structural and complementary measures.

The results of a study commissioned by the European Commission indicate that Tempus has had a considerable impact, particularly by setting in motion the long and difficult shift towards output-oriented rather than input-oriented education. The former revolves around the concept of what a person actually knows (the learning outcome), while the traditional, input-oriented, approach concentrated more on how long or where the person acquired that knowledge (the learning inputs).

Most universities in Tempus partner countries have made progress in introducing quality assurance schemes. These are essential for building trust into the system. Tempus has also helped to create a large number of professional staff highly committed to change and reform. The majority of the 2000 universities participating in Tempus projects have developed internal guidelines for quality assurance, including methods for self-assessment and peer reviews. In some countries, mainly in the Western Balkans, Tempus has helped to establish genuinely independent national quality assurance and accreditation agencies. However if quality is to be recognised as a strategic issue at university level, its place within the universities should be more visible, and appropriate levels of human and financial resources should be allocated to it. In many countries of the EU's Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood there is still an urgent need to develop effective materials and courses for staff development in quality assurance mechanisms.