The First International Forum on Higher Education in Mongolia

The 1^st international Forum on Higher Education in Mongolia took place from the 17^th to 18^th of October in Ulaanbaatar. The forum was organized jointly by the Mongolia Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), the Mongolia National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, with solid support from UNESCO UIL, the International Association of Universities, UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok, European Network for Quality Assurance, and the Higher Education Section of UNESCO Headquarters. 

H. E. G. Zandanshatar, Speaker of the Parliament of Mongolia, H. E. L. Enkh-Amgalan, Minister of Education and Science of Mongolia, Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, Mr. Boldsaikhan Sambuu, Secretary-General of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, gave their opening speeches at the forum.

In his opening speech, H. E. G. Zandanshatar acknowledged Mongolia’s rapid technological developments and progress in the field of higher education, and emphasized the imperative need for enhanced capacity to confront the challenges of contemporary society. He also recognized the blue print 2030 Roadmap for higher education and call upon Mongolian universities to enhance quality of higher education for digital and green economy.

H. E. L. Enkh-Amgalan stated in his speech that the Forum is being organized at the right time when Mongolia had recently passed a package of law of education that covers all stages and fields of education. He highlighted his Ministry’s vision to reshape the higher education sector to meet the demands of the knowledge economy. His excellency, highlighted the key milestone achievements in higher education in Mongolia. He reiterated his call for  continued dialogue and active engagement by the higher education stakeholders and participants’, particularly in transforming higher education that links to quality of higher education and aligned with needs of labour market. He highlighted the areas that need urgent attention such as university teacher quality, accreditation, academic freedom, assessment and evaluation framework, digital transformation, technical and vocational education and training, curriculum reform, nation-wide university ranking system, student mobility and international cooperation, etc. 

Prof. Shahbaz Khan acknowledged the collaboration with the MoES and the Mongolia National Commission for UNESCO in organizing this first forum devoted to higher education. He recalled the six core action areas called by the UNESCO Higher Education Roadmap 2030, and reiterated the importance to improve the quality and relevance of higher education of Mongolia guided by the key recommendations of the Third World Conference in Higher Education. He reassured all higher education stakeholders that UNESCO is fully committed to provide technical support and advice to transform higher education in Mongolia to contribute towards the achievement of the SDG4 and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr. Boldsaikhan Sambuu in his speech recognized the urgent need towards establishing a more robust higher education system in Mongolia. He informed the participants that Mongolia as a leading country in higher education transformation and was among the few countries invited by UNESCO HQ to share its experiences in higher education reform and restructuring of the higher education sector. 

Prior to Session 1, Kh. Tamir, Director of Higher Education Department of Mongolia, delivered a keynote address on New Legal Environment - New Opportunities for Higher Education in Mongolia. He highlighted key amendments to the existing higher education law, curriculum activities, financing, quality assurance, and government decisions. Prof. Asha S. Kanwar, President of Commonwealth of Learning, (COL) presented the keynote address of the forum. Prof. Kanwar in her presentation, highlighted the Global Trends and Reform in Higher Education and Implications for Mongolia, presented five important trends in higher education.

During Session 1: Challenges and Opportunities of Higher Education Sector in Mongolia, experts from various domains shared their expertise. Badarch Dendev, Rector of the National University of Mongolia, highlighted Key areas towards the transformation of Mongolian Higher education. Sector. N. Purevtsogt from the National University of Mongolia, delved into the Methodology of Ranking of the Higher Education Institutions in Mongolia. Andreas Corcoran, Deputy Secretary General of the International Association of Universities (IAU), explored Innovation: Challenges and Best practices of Higher Education. P. Oyunaa, Director of the Strategy Policy Department in MoES, presented on Digital Transformation of Higher education: Policy and Action Plan. The session provided valuable perceptions in advancing comprehensive higher education transformation in Mongolia.

In Session 2, the focus shifted to the current status and Overview of Higher Education Sector in Mongolia. D. Tumenbold, Director of the Office of the Joint Governing Board, addressed on Collaboration of 6 State Universities: Benefits and Promises. O. Erkhemtugs and B. Odsuren from Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture, gave speeches on Possibility of the Development of a BioArt Laboratory Based on the Collaboration and Resources of Universities. A. Buyanjargal from Otgontenger University, shared viewpoints on Work-Based Learning for Higher Education System in Mongolia towards Better Employability of University Graduates. Khurelbaatar Nyamdavaa, Rector of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, discussed about Medical Education in Modern Era. These diverse presentations contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the Higher Education Sector in Mongolia.

In Panel 1, Joanna Wilson, Assistant Director of the Qualifications Recognition Policy Section, International Partnerships Branch, International Division, Australian Government Department of Education, presented on Australia's experience and Overview of Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education: Good Practices. While J. Ariunbold, Vice-Chairman of Mongolian National Council for Education Accreditation, N. Erdenekhuu, Pro-rector of Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST), J. Batbaatar, Rector of Mongolian State University of Education, B. Chuluundorj, Rector of University of Humanity, B. Battsengel, Rector of German-Mongolian Institute for Resource and Technology, probed into the Quality and Relevance of Higher Education. These experts delved into the multifaceted dimensions of ensuring quality and relevance in higher education, offering varied perspectives and insights.

During Session 3, the focus was on the Digital Transformation of Higher Education. G. Zorig, President of SOPHOS LLC, shared his insights on Digital Transformation: Transformation or Renewal. Dr. Wang Tianchong, Lecturer of Department of Education, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, delivered presentation on the Open and Blended Learning. T. Bat-Erdene, Director of Digital Policy and Statistics, MoES, discussed the Higher Education Management Information System and Block Chain. D. Ganbat, Director of Open Education Centre at MUST, addressed on Digital Transformation Activities at MUST. Xu Mingshun, Programme Officer at the International Center for Higher Education, provided a perspective on Smart Classrooms in Higher Education Institutions: A Global Presentation by ICHEI. The session shed light on the evolving landscape of higher education in the digital era.

Panel 2 featured a thought-provoking exchange of ideas. Edith Hammer, Programme Specialist at the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), presented her insights into the Lifelong Learning in Higher Education – National Frameworks and Institutional Practices. Kh. Tamir, Director of the Higher Education Department, MoES, M. Itgel, Director of the Mongolia National Education Research Institute, S. Badral, Founder of Bolorsoft LLC, Ts. Demberel, Chairman of the Mongolian Intellectual Development IQ Centre, Ts. Tuvshintur, Advisor to the President, engaged in a profound discussion about the Future of Higher Education in AI Era, exploring a wide range of perspectives and considerations.

In Session 4, speeches were dedicated to the Implementation of Triple Helix Model, Dr. Aini Suzanna, Chair of Science, Technology, Engineering & Innovation Policy for Asia & Pacific Region Network (STEPAN), and Prof. Ding Minglei from Chinese Academy of S&T for Development, provided viewpoints on the History and Current Status of STI: What Is the Role of Higher Education. D. Battogtokh and Ts. Namchinsuren from Department of Science and technology policy, innovation implementation, MoES, shared their perspectives on Science and Technology Policy. B. Bayartogtokh, Vice-President of National University of Mongolia delivered a speech on Triple Helix Partnership Model: Turning Ideas into Action. G. Battuvshin, Director, Graduate Business school, MUST, addressed on Graduate School Strategy: Role of Higher Education. B. Baasansukh and G. Enkhbayar from Mongolian University of Life Sciences (MULS), discussed about University and Collective Impact. Above experts collectively contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the Triple Helix Model's implementation in higher education with implications for Mongolia.

In Session 5: Way Forward for Mongolian Higher Education, speakers probed into the future direction of higher education in Mongolia. Vanja Gutovic, Programme Specialist of UNESCO’s Higher Education Section, shared her perspectives on WHEC 2022 Roadmap and the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education. P. Oyunaa, Director of the Strategy and Policy Department, MoES, presented on Way Forward for Mongolian Higher Education. This session provided further understandings in shaping the vision for the future of higher education in Mongolia. Mr. Robert Parua, Education Programme Specialist joined the second day of the conference and urged all Mongolia higher education stakeholders to contribute innovative ideas for the reform and transformation of higher education in Mongolia. UNESCO Beijing Office is deeply committed to working closely with the Ministry of Education and Science and Mongolia National Council Education Accreditation (MNCEA) strengthen institutional capacity in higher education policy dialogue, accreditation, recognition of qualifications and quality assurance in higher education. Mr. Parua urged the MoES to speed up the ratification for Global Convention on Recognition of Qualifications in higher education. The need to develop the National Qualification for higher education was highlighted.   

At closing Session, Kh. Tamir, gave a summary and gave closing remarks, extending gratitude to all the speakers and participants for their presentations. Kh. Tamir highlighted the priorities of Mongolia to improve the higher management of educational information system (HEMIS) and promote the integration of statistics. Kh. Tamir stressed the need for actors at all levels to have more in-depth discussions on the integration of the information system, and emphasized the importance of recognizing degrees both within Mongolia and on an international scale. Kh. Tamir commended the fruitful process of gaining new insights and sharing best practices to face the challenges and looked forward to the next conference with best wishes for the success and progress of the follow-up of this forum.