BACKGROUND

The ASEF Capacity Building Training on Equitable Access to Higher Education was held in Edinburgh, UK, from 24-27 November, 2019. It buildt on the ideas and policy recommendations developed during the 7^th ASEF Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC7) in Bucharest, Romania, from 11-15 May 2019. The policy recommendations developed both by the rectors and the students underlined the need to ensure equitable access to higher education (HE). The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON), and The University of Edinburgh therefore took action and organised a capacity building training for university managers on this matter. The Capacity Building Training was organised in conjunction with World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) 2019, which took place on 26 November 2019 at the University of Edinburgh.

THE AIM OF THE TRAINING

The overall aim of the training was to equip managers in higher education institutions in Europe and Asia to be able to advance equitable access & success in their institutions. The programme was designed to:

• Increase participants’ understanding of the evidence and theory where access, success and participation in HE are concerned and get familiar with global institutional practice in these fields;
• Assist participants to develop action plans which they can implement in their home institution to improve access/success in HE for disadvantaged groups;
• Build an Asia-Europe community of managers and practitioners who can achieve a step change in equitable access to HE by 2030.

WHO PARTICIPATED?

The eligibility criteria of the Open Call were:

• Citizens of any of the 51 ASEM partner countries
• Strong command of English (written and verbal)
• Managers in higher education institutions in charge of inclusion, equity or admission policies (employees of institutions)

To see who participated, please find the Participant Booklet in the right-hand menu.

TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS

Online preparatory phase 

This was designed as a self-learning programme so that participants could advance according to their own time and interest. It included a Welcome Webinar, readings and discussion questions.

Onsite phase | 4 days in Edinburgh

A 4-day long face-to-face capacity building training, including participation at the World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) in Edinburgh. For more details see the Programme.

Online follow-up phase 

The ASEF Capacity Building Training aims to establish a cohort of HE managers who can be at the forefront of making higher education more equitable. Participants complete the course with a key combination of practical solutions they can implement in their institutions and new networks which can strengthen their equity work.

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

Participants completed the training with a key combination of practical solutions they can implement in their institutions and new networks which can strengthen their equity work. The learning outcomes included:

• An enhanced understanding of global practice in equitable access/success work: The programme helped participants to understand the evidence and theory where access, success and participation in HE is concerned. They learned how HE institutions have effectively addressed challenges in the field of equitable access/success in HE.
• Developing the skills and knowledge to change the access/success landscape in their institution: Participants developed their own action plans, which they can implement in their home institution to improve access/success in HE for disadvantaged groups.
• Becoming part of a professional supporting network: The training provided opportunity for interaction with other participants and professionals from 20 different countries across Asia and Europe, as well as with the participants of the World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED).

WHEN & WHERE?

24-27 November 2019, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
In conjunction with World Access to Higher Education Day 2019 on 26 November 2019

COSTS

There were no registration or participation fee for selected participants. ASEF offered some participants scholarships to cover travel, accommodation and visa. Meals were provided as indicated in the programme.

ACCESSIBILITY
The ASEF Capacity Building Training was accessible to all participants.The organisers did not discriminate any applicant or participant on the basis of his or her race, national origin (ancestry), colour, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, religion (creed), marital status, or age. 

FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER ARC SPIN-OFF PROJECTS, HEAD OVER TO THE ARC MICROSITE