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Appendix 7-2
Globalization and Higher Education: Implications for the SYLFF Network: Joint/Dual Degrees & Exchanges
Orlando L. Taylor
Vice Provost for Research
And Dean, Graduate School
Howard University
Washington, DC, USA
otaylor@howard.edu
Today's Graduate Students Must Be Prepared from Global & Interdisciplinary Perspectives
■ Many topics are best understood from global & interdisciplinary perspectives, e.g., global warming, economics, communication, migration & international affairs.
■ Students must have global views to be COMPETITIVE!
■ May require new curriculum and experiences for graduate students.
Graduate Students Should Interact with Diverse Faculty and Students
Graduate education establishes an environment of intellectual collegiality in which interaction among people with differing points of view is essential to learning.
The U. S. Council of Graduate Schools Says...
■ By bringing diverse students together for scholarly pursuits, they acquire respect for intellect, regardless of source.
■ Graduate students will work in a rapidly changing world where race, gender, ethnicity, and nationality will merge with knowledge, merit & talent.
■ Student's ability to deal with differing ideas and views will enable them to work effectively with people in all sectors of society throughout the world.
Global Perspectives Can Be Achieved in Many Ways
■ Beyond local graduate curriculum reforms & certificate programs on global topics, there can be:
- Student Exchanges/Study Abroad Programs
- Faculty Exchanges/Joint Research Initiatives
- Dual Degrees―Two or More Fields w/inter-institutional cooperation
- "Sandwich" Degrees―One degree w/study at a second university.
- Joint degrees―Two degrees from two institutions
The SYLFF Network Provides Opportunities for Globalization
■ Howard University has used the SYLFF Network to enhance globalization through student exchanges, Fellows mobility programs & extramural grants.
■ Brazil (w/University of Sao Paulo & Others): Student Exchanges & Common Course on Race & Inequality.
■ European Union (w/Utrecht University, University of Coimbra & Others): Migration Studies, Common Course on Migration and a Possible Joint Degree).
■ India (w/Jadavpur University): Student Exchanges.
■ Thailand (w/chiang Mai University): (Possible Student Exchanges).
Other Howard Outcomes: Joint Conferences on Global Topics
■ Nairobi (w/U. of Western Cape and U. of Nairobi): Joint US/Africa Graduate Programs.
■ Washington (w/York, Western Cape, Sao Paulo, and Massey Universities): Race and Social Inequality.
■ Bellagio (w/TKFD and Sao Paulo, Utrecht, Western Cape, York, Massey and Texas Universities): Inclusion in Higher Education.
Impact of Global Activities from the Howard Perspective
■ Exposure to students, cultures and universities generally unfamiliar to Howard University.
■ Opportunities for faculty interactions in teaching & research.
■ Increased graduate student interest in studying abroad and in countries heretofore of low interest.
■ Enhancement of Certificate in International Affairs.
■ Symposia on unique topics: e.g., Brazil Black Consciousness Day.
■ Movement towards new specialization in Migration Studies.
■ Consideration of a Dual or Joint Degree in migration studies with Utrecht University.
■ Acquisition of Several Grants for related activities of almost ($1 million) involving SYLFF institutions and others.
Challenges of Exchange Programs
■ Time to Degree Issues.
■ Heavy Local Responsibilities of Faculty.
■ Different Systems of Higher Education―and calendars.
■ Differences in Academic Cultures and Methods of Teaching and Learning.
■ Restrictive Visa Regulations.
■ Different Institutional Policies and Bureaucracies Re: Course Credits, Financial aid, etc.
■ Amount of Financial Support for Student Exchanges.
The World Is Flat
■ It takes a (Global) academic village to educate a Student.
■ No institution (or country) owns all of the information or expertise to address a given global topic.
■ Important information is housed beyond the walls of universities that have traditionally been the world or national leaders.
■ World peace is enhanced through the preparation of future leaders w/global perspectives.
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