OECD Conference on Internationalisation for Job Creation and Economic Growth,

New York, 12-13 April 2012

Draft Agenda  

Given the current economic crisis underscoring the extent, depth and meaning of “a global economy”, we need to examine the successes, attempts and failures of HEIs in the development of effective and substantive internationalisation strategies. Based on what has worked, what hasn’t worked and what might work, the SUNY-OECD conference provided participants with models to apply or cases to consider that can inform their national dialogue and support innovation in internationalisation.

The Conference examined the ways in which internationalisation in and of colleges, universities and higher education systems can be leveraged to support economic development in the 21 st century. Creative and effective approaches will be highlighted against the urgency of implementing new strategies in a time of global economic crisis, with job creation, economic recovery policy and human capital development and, above all, innovation at the core of the discussion. The interplay between public policy, academia, and business and industry is key. Government and system policies should aim to maximise the benefits of internationalisation and reap the rewards from participating in the new economic/societal paradigms.

Likewise, academics and institutions should be able to optimise government policies and implement the best international strategy involving the entire community. Industry and services development models need to support and capitalise on government policies. While the university-industry relationship has been on the agenda for some time, until recently government, industry and academia have operated in separate spheres of authority.

Looking forward, economists and policy planners have identified these three aspects of what is termed the triple helix of innovation as more inter-related, and deeply integrated in partnerships for learning, development and application. Internationalisation is an aspect of this new relationship that must be considered as a means of facilitating and promoting a more dynamic convergence of interests and activities.

Core questions

• How can internationalisation help colleges and universities, higher education systems, governments and industry foster the balance of competition and co-operation required for job creation, innovation and regional economic development?
  
• What role can higher education system leaders play in helping institutions pursue internationalisation strategies, both collectively and individually?
  
• To what extent is regulating, monitoring and evaluating the internationalisation of higher education important to government and industry at a time of economic globalisation?  How can higher education partnerships with government/industry lead to more effective co-operation and collaboration in terms of policy and practice?
  
• How can the ethos, mindset and approaches of the innovation partners be better geared to the new paradigms of the global economy?
  
• Where does the internationalisation of higher education fit into the contemporary portrait of the educated, competent and skilled citizen of the 21st century? 

What Works?

The OECD What Works conferences have been a successful series of workshops and meetings designed to assist member institutions by reviewing current policy and practice while disseminating examples of successful innovation. They are intended to equip participants with clear-cut examples of institutional strategy development, as well as provide an understanding of the conditions for implementation, the context, and the measurement and assessment of impact.

For further information contact:

• Fabrice.Henard@oecd.org