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Education expert to research offshore university programs
A University of the Sunshine Coast education expert is involved in research that could help ensure Australian universities deliver high-quality offshore education programs throughout the world, particularly in Asia.
USC Professor of Education Tania Aspland and academics from the University of Western Australia and Curtin University of Technology recently secured a $149,573 Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching grant for the research.
The team will study existing university offshore education programs in Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur and develop a data base of international and national policy documents relating to offshore education.
It will then produce two reports which will feature specific case studies and detailed principles for enhancing Australia’s existing quality frameworks, professional development and policy development.
Professor Aspland, who has previously developed programs for offshore delivery in Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam and Canada, said this research was timely and internationally significant.
“There’s a huge market for offshore education in Asia … and the United Kingdom, United States and Australia are the key providers,” she said. “But there is no quality document that can be wrapped around those experiences.
“What we’ve noticed, in the development of our engagement with higher degree students offshore, is that not all universities offer the same level of quality.”
Professor Aspland said there were some students who had received little or no supervision or support while completing a degree offshore.
“There have been some great successes offshore but there also have been some very poor experiences, especially in Asia,” she said.
Professor Aspland, who recently became chair of USC’s Research Management Committee, said the Carrick Institute’s support for the project was a highlight of her academic career.
“To win a competitive Carrick grant is strong recognition that the work we are doing is nationally significant,” she said.
“A Group of Eight university, a technology university and a regional university have come together to work as a team and we are working collaboratively to complete this research.
“Nationally, it’s a high need area, and this research will shape the quality of offshore education programs offered by Australian universities.
“Our work will be received well internationally as well as nationally.”
– Terry Walsh