Global connections, local impacts

The Petronas Twin Towers in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education and The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus hosted the 2009 Global Forum on Cross-Border Higher Education entitled ‘Global Connections – Local Impacts: Best practices, Models and Policies for Cross-Border Higher Education’.

The forum was held at the Prince Hotel and Residences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 21-24 October. Valentine Hazelman, Acing Co-Director for CFDL represented USP at the forum which was attended by more than 100 delegates from several countries across the globe. Key themes addressed in the forum were:

* Globalisation & Universities;   
* Public & private Partnerships; 
* Quality & Regulatory Frameworks; 
* Branch Campuses & E-Learning;   
* Student Services & Mobility;  
* The Student Experience in Transnational Higher Education: Questions & Answers;  
* Cultural, Language & Social Contexts;  
* Sustainable Transnational Education projects: The Key Factors;  
* The ever-changing landscape of cross-border higher education between Australia & the Asia-Pacific Region;

The programme was rich with talented and very experienced speakers on key topics that were relevant and timely for stakeholders in the ever-changing landscape of higher education. It was also an opportunity to engage with colleagues from other institutions as well as expanding professional and personal networks.

The next forum will be held in Alberta, Canada in 2011.