A very interesting OECD report “Higher Education and Region’ has landed on our desk, written by Cockatoo member and ‘Oz-phile’ Patrick Dubarle, Paul Benneworth et al. It should be compulsory reading for every Vice-Chancellor, university academic and regional development practitioner in the civilized world. It draws on findings from 14 regions across 12 countries.
The basic message is that higher education institutions (HEIs) must do more than educate and research – they must engage with others in their region, provide opportunities for lifelong learning, and contribute to the development of knowledge-intensive jobs.
The report synthesizes the main developments, and provides scores of examples of best practice. Some that attracted our attention are:
- The ‘Knowledge House’ in NE England – addresses the reluctance of SMEs to go anywhere near a university by providing a nifty, common entry point to the five universities in the region.
- University Jaume I in Valencia – helping to transform the SME-based ceramic tile industry.
- University of Sunderland – helping to make Nissan’s new plant the most productive in Europe.
- Provincial University of Lapland – reaching out to remote communities.
- Aalborg University (Denmark) building its education program around Problem Based Learning.
- Monterrey International Knowledge City (MICK) in north east Mexico.
The book can be purchased on-line at the OECD – ISBN 978-92-64-03414-3. Patrick Dubarle is now a freelance consultant, living at beautiful Meudon – contact him at phdubarle@club.fr
