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The questionnaire aims to (i) gather information on the implementation of the major documents of the World Conference on Higher Education, (WCHE) Paris, 1998 and the World Conference on Science, Budapest 1999, (ii) identify current challenges and (iii) point towards future directions and forward-looking strategies for Higher Education, Science and Technology to address these challenges. While recognizing the wide spectrum of areas included in the above mentioned documents, the questionnaire will focus on two main priorities areas selected by UNESCO: (i) Science Policy and (ii) Higher Education.
Governments of UNESCO Member States are invited to provide information on the policies adopted in these areas over the period 1999 and 2008 on the basis of the above mentioned World Conferences principles and commitments (see Annex I).
Please note that the nature of the information being sought is more qualitative than quantitative. However, respondents wishing to provide any relevant up-to date statistics and indicators on S&T policy and Higher Education may do so.
The questionnaire consists in two parts:
In Part One: Implementation of Science Agenda- Framework for Action, UNESCO-ICSU World Conference on Science, (WCS), Budapest 1999, respondents are invited to provide information on the general national science policy framework, which includes an analytic overview of their specific experiences in the implementation of the WCS Science Agenda-Framework for Action. This overall picture should highlight major achievements and obstacles encountered in the implementation since 1999 as well as major policy initiatives undertaken (over the period 1999 and 2008) that correspond to the main critical areas identified by the Science Agenda-Framework for Action for Science Policy:
Strengthening the human resource base
Establishing scientific institutions
Improving and upgrading science education
Integrating science into national culture
Developing infrastructures and promoting technology and innovation capacities
Member States are encouraged to provide information on policy strategy, legislative change and programme and projects which have been undertaken in the above-mentioned critical areas as well on the remaining key challenges at national level and any plan for future actions to address these challenges. Respondents are also encouraged to indicate any new commitments for S&T they will make at the national level over the next five – ten years.
In Part Two: Implementation of Developments in Higher Education for the 21st Century, UNESCO’s World Conference on Higher Education, (WCHE) Paris, 1999, respondent are invited to give a brief analytical overview of the current state and of trends in higher education, looking in particular at difficulties and obstacles, measures and policies, and achievements and shortfalls that have marked the past decade. This part will include the main challenges and opportunities that will be facing higher education policies and institutions in the years ahead and the priorities, commitments and strategies that will be developed in this context.
Questionnaire Part One: Implementation of Science Agenda- Framework for Action, UNESCO-ICSU World Conference on Science, (WCS), Budapest 1999
Section I: Overview of achievements and challenges in the implementation of the Budapest (1999) Science Agenda-Framework for Action
Give a brief analytical overview (no longer than 6- 8 pages) of major achievements in the implementation of the above mentioned documents. This overview or broad picture should, for example, describe the general framework of the country’s Science Policy, including Higher Education policy, with regard to the World Conference on Science Recommendations and Guidelines.
The response could address the following issues:
Has a comprehensive policy for science been adopted, updated or evaluated at the national level since 1999?
In which science-related sector/areas have specific policies, strategies and/or action been developed?
List some major achievements and/or breakthroughs in concrete terms in implementing the Science Agenda - Framework for Action.
Were the goals of developing the national science system and improving science education favoured over other national goals?
Indicate changes in your country since 1999 in government science policies, in the public perception of science, in the media and in academic institutions.
How has globalization affected the implementation of the country’s science policy, including higher education?
Give examples of partnerships established with academies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as the private sector and other stakeholders in designing science policy on the basis of the Science Agenda-Framework for Action Guidelines.
What have been the main legislative and policy-making achievements in the area of science, technology and innovation since 1999?
To what extent have budgets for science and technology, including higher education, been significantly increased over the last ten years?
What policies have been developed to promote international cooperation in science, technology and innovation, with a particular focus on South-South cooperation?
Have national policies been adopted which allow a wider use of the applications of traditional forms of learning and knowledge, while at the same time ensuring that their commercialization is properly rewarded?
To what extent has cooperation between holders of traditional knowledge and scientists been supported in order to enable them to explore the relationship between different knowledge systems and foster interlinkages of mutual benefit?
To what extent have gender perspectives and the concerns of women been considered in national science policies? Have national science policies been adopted to increase the access of women to scientific careers
What efforts have been made to facilitate the access of young people to science?
Indicate changes in policy regarding the international mobility of scientific personnel.
Section Two: Progress on implementation of critical areas of concerns of the Budapest (1999) Science Agenda-Framework for Action
Information is requested on successful actions taken, achievements and impacts for the following critical areas of concern:
Strengthening of human resource base
Establishing scientific institutions
Improving and upgrading science education
Integrating science into national culture
Developing infrastructures and promoting technology and innovation capacities
Give examples of successful policies and programmes, including information on strategies, targets, their impact and lessons learned.
Please identify obstacles, gaps and challenges in these areas.
Answers could address the issues listed below:
Indicate the increase/decrease in the level of funding for basic research.
List major initiatives to strengthen universities, including the creation of centres of excellence.
What national mechanisms have been established to create and/or enhance the partnership between universities and the private sector?
What are the remaining challenges for building science capacities?
What major changes have there been in the funding of science or in the criteria for public funding?
To what extent have stakeholders been involved in setting research priorities?
What efforts have been made to improve the status of scientific personnel and enhance the mobility of university researchers and scientists?
How much attention has been paid to science education (i.e. allocation of funds, changes in the curricula, public awareness campaigns, etc)?
Give examples of major scientific research initiatives at the global, regional and/or national levels in which your country took part.
How is your country/institution coping with new areas of science and technology (i.e. biotechnology, nanotechnology, etc)?
Section Three: Major challenges and future actions to address them
Provide information on the main challenges identified and/or areas requiring future actions. List any new commitments, actions or priority areas which government has identifies for the next five – ten years. Responses in Section Three should be no longer than 5 pages.
Questionnaire Part Two: Implementation of Developments in Higher Education for the 21st Century, UNESCO’s World Conference on Higher Education, (WCHE) Paris, 1998,
Section One: Overview of current state and trends in higher education
Please give a brief analytical overview (no more than 6-8 pages) of the current state and of trends in higher education, looking in particular at difficulties and obstacles, measures and policies, and achievements and shortfalls that have marked the past decade.
The overview should include all major developments, including in particular:
main problems, achievements and policies affecting the overall development of higher education as a diversified system; to what extent have developments in the past decade been in tune with, or underpinned by the outcomes of the 1998 WCHE;
main current functions of higher education in the overall educational system, in research and innovation and in society and the economy, together with an assessment of changes and of how well these functions are being fulfilled;
main areas where globalisation has had an impact, together with an assessment of such impact (new problems, new possibilities);
issues and achievements with regard to access and coverage (demand for and provision of higher education, role of imported/exported education, of educational migration, of the private sector, areas of growth/decrease, etc);
issues and achievements with regard to quality, social relevance and efficiency (curricular and methodological change in learning programmes, incentives to curb failure and dropout rates, development of lifelong learning, quality assurance, etc.);
issues and achievements with regard to the role of higher education in research and innovation;
issues and achievements with regard to higher education governance at system and at institutional level, including with reference to internationalisation;
issues and achievements with regard the funding of higher education, research/innovation and students.
Section Two: Main challenges, priorities and strategies for the 5-10 years ahead
Please give a brief analytical overview (no longer than 4-6 pages) of the main challenges and opportunities that will be facing higher education policies and institutions in the years ahead and of the priorities, commitments and strategies that will be developed in this context.
The overview should include all main future directions, including in particular with respect to changes in the following areas:
main drivers of change and main factors inhibiting change in higher education in the years ahead (these may include globalization, demographic change, regional integration, new national legislation, new incentives, new social demands, etc.);
relationship between society, governments (central and regional ones) and higher education institutions (autonomy, accountability, quality assurance systems, commitment of society and government to higher education development and support, etc.);
incentives for higher education staff and leadership for the design, acceptance and management of change, including with reference to the improvement of learning programmes and processes;
uality assurance, accreditation and improvement, including the attention paid to higher quality (or “excellence”) in teaching, research, services and management;
initial and continuing education of teachers/trainers for primary, secondary and professional education;
diversification of higher education in view of the overall demand, the demographic change and the differing needs of various categories of learners and employers;
internationalisation of activities and strategies of higher education;
level and determinants of the funding of higher education institutions (including targeted funding for specific activities or reforms, performance-based funding and funding of research and innovation) and level/modalities of student funding.
