Internationalization in Israeli HE Council for Higher Education Policies Marissa Gross Director, National Erasmus+ Office Council for Higher Education 2014
Topics The Governance of Higher Education The Council for Higher Education The Planning & Budgeting Committee Joint/Dual Degrees CHE Regulations for Accreditation Studies in a Foreign Language (English) CHE Regulations for Accreditation New Programs & Existing Programs
The institutions that govern Higher Education in Israel: (1) The Council for Higher Education (CHE) Serves as main regulator of HE: Provides accreditation of new degrees & programs Approves the establishment of new institutions and Licensing of branches of foreign HE Institutions Conducts Quality Assurance of existing programs Safeguards academic freedom while advancing academic research and teaching
(2) The Planning and Budgeting Committee - PBC Plans the development of the HE system at the national level, taking into account both academic and national needs Negotiates with the Ministry of Finance the share of higher education in the state budget. Allocates the budget to the HE institutions (HEI s) Examines requests to open new institutions & new academic programs from the planning and budgetary points of view Ensures that institutional budgets are balanced and executed according to plan while ensuring the HEI s solvency
Joint/Dual Degrees - Background CHE resolution passed March 2013 Academic guidelines sent to all HEIs in Israel in April 2013 Based on recommendations of Zang Committee Full Guidelines here (CHE website)
Joint/Dual Degrees Joint degree programs involving accredited Israeli institutions and accredited foreign institutions Students receive either a joint degree OR dual degree Students must be enrolled in each institution for at least one semester Admission requirements equivalent to requirements for program in Hebrew Creation of joint quality assurance structures, including joint steering committee to monitor the program Partnership agreement between institutions
Joint/Dual Degrees - Guidelines Accreditation proposal must include: Proof of accreditation + academic quality Program rationale Admission requirements Teaching faculty Partnership agreements/documentation Changes implemented if based on an accredited Hebrew program Accreditation will be based on these criteria + assessment of the justification for a joint program & availability of proper infrastructure
Studies in a Foreign Language CHE resolution September 2013 Resolution sent to HEIs in October 2013 + Guidelines on how to receive accreditation sent in November 2013 Regulations relate to new programs in a foreign language & existing programs Easier process if the program is based on a Hebrew program *** HEIs are entitled to translate/convert individual courses without the CHE s approval, as long as they maintain the academic standard of the Hebrew courses and notify the CHE afterwards. ***
Studies in a Foreign Language 1. Request to open a new program in a foreign language, not based on a Hebrew program Same process as new Hebrew program 2. Request to open new program in foreign language based on translation/conversation of Hebrew program accredited by the CHE Must prove equivalent academic content, standards, faculty. CHE staff ensures equivalency. If equivalent, the request will be approved for 2 years & a monitor will be appointed to ensure quality. If differences are found, a monitor will be appointed To review the program before approval.
Courses in a Foreign Language 3. Request to accredit existing program in foreign language based on translation/conversation of existing Hebrew program accredited by the CHE Date the program was established; # of graduates in last 5 years; the equivalency to the Hebrew program The CHE will verify the equivalency- if it is not found a monitor will be appointed. 4. Request to accredit existing program in foreign language based on translation/conversation of existing Hebrew program not accredited by the CHE Date the program was established, # of graduates in last 5 years, courses, faculty list, curriculum, admissions criteria, infrastructure
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