Visa: Director ED/HEP ________________
ARAB REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
(Beirut, 2-5 March 1998)
Arab States Regional Conference
preparatory to the World Conference on Higher Education
Introduction
Preparatory to the World Conference on "Higher Education in the 21st Century: Vision and Action" (Paris, 5-9 October 1998), UNESCO is organizing, 2-5 March 1998, a Regional Consultation for the Arab States. The Conference will offer an opportunity to deliberate on Higher Education in a world where knowledge has emerged as a key factor in the quest for sustainable human development.
The Conference will be held under the Patronage of Mr. Elias Hraoui, the President of Lebanon, Mr. Federico Mayor, the UNESCO Director-General, and will be attended by high ranking officials from ALECSO, ISESCO, ABEGS, the Association of Arab Universities, and by Ministers from several Member States plus other eminent personalities from outside the Arab Region.
Objectives
The Conference aims at laying down the principles on which reforms of higher education in the Arab Region should be based in view of enhancing its contribution to building peace on the grounds of sustainable development based on equality of opportunity, freedom, equity, and mutual co-operation.
The Conference also aims at the elaboration of the Arab Region view on the principles that should govern higher education at the international level to be presented to the World Conference on Higher Education to be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, (5-9 October 1998).
General Theme:
What Higher Education for Arab States at the Dawn of the 21st Century?
Specific Themes
1 - Relevance of Higher Education
a - In view of planetary issues:
Peace, Democracy and Human Rights
Preservation of the Environment
The Advancement of the Condition of Women
The Demographic Challenge
Local Community Development
Globalization and Preservation of Cultural Diversity
b - In view of the world of work and economic development:
c - In view of the needs of the educational system:
d - In view of scientific advancement:
2 - Quality Assurance in Higher Education
a - Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions and Programmes
b - Research and Graduate Studies as Means to Improve Quality of Higher Education
c - Staff Development in Higher Education
d - Academic Mobility and Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications
3 - Financing and Management of Higher Education
a - Financing:
Higher Education as a Public Investment in Human Resources
Public Participation in Financing and Role of the Private Sector
The Productive University: Community Services, Cost Sharing and Recovery
b - Management:
Institutional Research and Development
Institutional Autonomy and Academic freedom
The Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel
The Governance of Higher Education System and Institutions
Administrative Management of Higher Education Institutions
4 - Regional and International Co-operation
a - Mechanisms for the Rapid Transfer of Knowledge and Technology
b - Academic Mobility and Reduction of Brain Drain Phenomenon
c - Regional and International Solidarity and Partnerships
5 - Special Symposia
a - New Information and Communication Technologies in Higher Education:
Information and Communication Technologies in Arab Universities: State of the Art
New Communication and Information Technologies as Means to Diversify and Expand Opportunities of Learning and Training at Higher Education Level: the Role of Distance Education
New Communication and Information Technologies as Means to Improve Quality of Higher Education
Super Highways of Information as Means to Improve Research and Scholarship
b - Women in Higher Education:
Access of Women to Higher Education
Diversification of Study Streams for Girls and Women
Women Participation in the Professional Work Force: Expanding Job Opportunities
6 - Round Tables
a - Access to Higher Education: Mass Higher Education or Universities for Elite?
b - Arabization of Higher Education in View of Globalization
7 - Students’ Forum: " Higher Education in the Arab States Region - A Student Perspective"
Panel Discussion in Plenary Session with the participation of representative of students' organizations (National Student Unions; Students' NGOs) from Arab States and abroad.
Themes:
a - Access to Higher Education
b - Quality of Higher Education
c - Relevance of Higher Education for Students' Personal life, Self-governance and Self-development
d - Internationalization of Higher Education
e - Financing of Higher Education (Public Funding and Cost-sharing Responsibilities)-Strategies-
f - Governance of Higher Education and Participation in the Decision-Making Process
g - Other Topics:
	 . Lifelong Learning for All
	 . Women in Higher Education
	 . Strategies for Interface between: Higher Education Institutions, Employers and Graduates.
Expected Outputs
1 - "Beirut Declaration" on Higher Education in the Arab Region for the 21st Century
2 - Plan of Action for the further development of Higher Education in the Arab Region
3 - Recommendations to World Conference on Higher Education
Working Languages
1 - Main Working Documents will be in Arabic with Executive Summaries in French and English
2 - Working Languages during the Conference will be Arabic, French, and English, with simultaneous translation
3 - Conference Report will be issued in Arabic, French, and English.
Participants
The Conference will involve the main stakeholders in higher education in the Arab World: Member States, Universities, IGOs, NGOs, United Nations Organizations and Agencies, Donor Agencies, the Academic and Professional Communities, Regional Experts, Students' Organizations, all of whom have an interest in higher education for personal, professional and socio-economic development.
For further information:
Dr. Ramzi SALAME
UNESCO-Beirut Office
Avenue de la Cité Sportive
P.O.Box 5244
Beirut, LEBANON
Phone: (961-1) 82 40 39
(961-1) 82 40 40
Fax: (961-1) 82 48 54