Quality Matters in Transnational Education: Undergoing the GATE Review Process. An Australan-Asian Case Study

Abstract

Monash University offers transnational education programs to some 4,000 students based in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. The University's transnational programs have been twice reviewed (in 1996 and 1999) by the international quality assurance body Global Alliance for Transnational Education (GATE). Based upon the experience of Monash, this article looks at the "nuts and bolts"practicalities of what is involved for an institution undergoing review by GATE, including. conducting the initial self-review; composing the "Dossier" required by GATE; and preparing for the interview schedule. In light of the GATE reviews and the University's ongoing self-evaluation, the article also reflects upon some of the key issues in transnational education: cultural appropriateness of curriculum and pedagogy; the relationship between provider and host; and the provision of education resources.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Adams, T. (1998) The Operation of Transnational Degree and DiplomaPrograms: The Australian Case. Journal of Studies in International Education, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 3-22.

AVCC (1995). The Code of Ethical Practice in the Provision Offshore of Education and Educational Services by Australian Higher Education Institutions. Canberra: The Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee.

AVCC (1999). Australian Universities Offshore Programs. Offshore Programs Conducted Under Formal Agreements Between Higher Education Institutions in Australia and Overseas. Canberra: The Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee. (Also available at http://www.avcc.edu.au/avcclinternatloffshor.htm.)

Banks, M. , and McBurnie, G. Embarking on an Educational Journey—the Establishment of the First Foreign Full University Campus in Malaysia under the 1996 Education Acts: A Malaysian-Australian Case Study. Higher Education in Europe, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 265-272.

CQAIE (1994). Standards for US. Institutions Offering Credit Bearing Education Abroad. Washington, D.C.: Centre for Quality Assurance in International Education.

French, N. J. (1999). Transnational Education-Competition or Complementarity: The Case of Hong Kong. Higher Education in Europe, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 219-223.

GATE (1997). Certification Manual. Washington D.C.: Global Alliance for Transnational Education.

HEQC (1996). Code of Practice for Overseas Collaborative Provision in Higher Education. London: Higher Education Quality Council. (Also available at http://www.niss.ac.uk/education/heqc/pubs96/overseas_cop.html.)

Kemp, D. (1999) Quality Assured: A New Australian Quality Assurance Frame-work for University Education, Speech by Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Canberra. 10 December. (Available at: http://www.detya.gov.au/ministers/kempldec99/ks101299.htm.)

10.

Knight, J. , Adams, T. , and Lenn, M. P. (1999). Quality Assurance Instruments and Their Relationship to IQRP. In Knight, J. and de Wit, H. , eds., Quality and Internationalisation in Higher Education. Paris: OECD.

11.

Knight, J. and De Wit, H. , eds. (1999). Quality and Internationalisation in Higher Education, Paris: OECD.

12.

McBurnie, G. (1999). Integrating the IQRP in the Strategic Plan, Monash University, Australia. In Knight, J. and de Wit, H. , eds., Quality and Internationalisation in Higher Education. Paris: OECD.

13.

McBurnie, G. , and Pollock, A. (1998). Transnational Education: An Australian Example International Higher Education vol. 10, pp. 12-14. (Also available at http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soe/cihe/direct1/News10/text7.html.)

14.

NCA (1997). Handbook of Accreditation. Chicago: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Institutions of Higher Education 2nd ed.

15.

Rubin, A. M. (1997). Certification Process Created to Insure Quality of College Programs Offered Abroad. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 24 October, pp. A65.

16.

Woodhouse, D. (1999). Quality and Quality Assurance. In Knight, J. and de Wit, H. , eds., Quality and Internationalisation in Higher Education. Paris: OECD.

17.

Woodhouse, D. (1998). Quality Assurance in Higher Education: the Next 25 Years. Quality in Higher Education vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 257-273

18.

Working Group on Transnational Education (1999). Recognition Of Qualifications in Transnational Education. Bucharest: UNESCO-CEPES. (Also available at: http://www.cepes.ro/higher_education/recognition/transnational_rec/recognition_transnat.html.)