Global Online Think Tank

GLOBAL ONLINE THINK TANK

FUTURE METHODOLOGIES of HIGHER EDUCATION DELIVERY

March 1st – October 13th 2017

Conference October 2018

"There has never been a more critical point in our history than now,

for professionals whom have dedicated their lives to the education of others,

to voice their considered opinions regards the future provision of a quality education, equally,

to all who share our planet.

Irrespective of their place of birth, creed, or ethnicity."

Background

More than 75% of the world’s population lives in a Developing Country, with little to no access to quality tertiary education.

Today if a young person from a Developing Country wanted to meaningfully contribute to their nation’s fight against climate change, they would need to seek tertiary studies & qualifications from a University or College within a Developed Nation. However the economic burden of present international tertiary education pathways, is today, far beyond the financial capacity of 99% of families living in Developing Nations.

Furthermore there has been an ever tightening of visa requirements for students wishing to study in most developed nations. In recent weeks countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and even New Zealand have signaled they intend making the requirements for attaining a student visa even more stringent.

In the not too distant future, gaining an overseas education, will be almost impossible for hundred's of thousands of young people born in the wrong countries, or of the wrong faith, unless new methods of International Education Delivery are explored and implemented in the coming years.

Furthermore new International Methodologies could,

Be a 'Game Changer' for International Education
Allow millions more young people from Developing Countries to gain a International Higher Education and break the cycle of poverty.
Help the world achieve its United Nations, Education, Sustainable Development Goal.
Put an end to high cost airfares, visas, yearlong accommodation & living expenses, etc,
Reduce the overall cost of gaining an overseas higher education by 40 - 60 %.
Deliver a tenfold increase in the number of families in Developing Nations who will be in the financial position to fund a world class education for their children;
Open the door to part-time International Higher Education studies for millions of young people from Developing Countries
Turn a USD100 billion market into a USD1 trillion market in the not to distant future.

Difference between present 'On-line Degrees' and future 'Distant Education Degrees'

Online Degrees, are delivered by static prerecorded video tuition, stored online within websites. They allow little interaction between lecturers and students.

Although Online Degrees and other studies do have a place in the delivery of international education, they are typically not accepted by world class Universities & Colleges as being able to deliver the level of teacher-student interaction they require. Hence they do not offer any under or graduate studies online.

Distant Education Degrees, will see the advent of lectures in real time being delivered to foreign students anywhere in the world, via high speed, dual direction streaming. Utilizing latest technologies including 360 degree cameras mounted in each lecture hall, the student will not only feel he or she is sitting in on the lecture, they will be able to interact with the lecturer and other students as well as any student that is physically present at the lecture.

Distant Education technologies will not be able to deliver high quality education for all fields of study, especially where there is a high component of laboratory work involved, such as chemistry. However for a very large range of undergraduate & graduate studies, new Distant Education technologies and methodologies will be able to deliver the same real-time teaching experience to remote students as that of physical attendees to lectures.

The International Higher Education Market

High quality tertiary education delivery to students in their home countries, will not lessen the number of students presently travelling overseas from Developing Countries to gain an education at Bricks & Mortar' universities and colleges. In fact numbers will surely increase as more and more families from Developing Nations become affluent. Seeking a world class bricks & mortar education maybe the main driver, but it is not the only reason affluent families in Developing Countries send their children overseas to gain an education.

The delivery of high quality tertiary education, utilizing new, leading edge communications technologies & methodologies is most definitely opening up a brand new market, targeting middle to high income families in Developing Countries, which were, and will still remain, priced out of the opportunity to send their children overseas to gain a bricks & mortar tertiary education. And from the point of view of tuition fees, which are expected to be similar for both methods of delivery, this new international tertiary education market delivered by high speed internet connections, has the potential to be, at least 5 times the size of the existing bricks & mortar international tertiary education market.

The Way Forward

In consideration of the above, the leaders of a substantial number of Developing Nations and Small Island States, have asked the World Climate Change Challenge to put together a ‘White Paper,’ outlining a set of strategies and policies for their consideration, which will ensure their nation, and people, are well positioned to take full advantage of any new lower cost, international education delivery methods, which could delivery abundantly more highly qualified graduates, to take on the ever growing challenges climate change is delivering to all sectors of their economy.

Furthermore the white paper will make recommendations as to how Developing Countries can best utilize substantial financial grants from Multi-Lateral & National Climate Development Banks (US$ 100 billion available) to begin putting into place any necessary infra/info-structure required to best position their nation to take full advantage of any future higher education delivery methods.

The WCCC believes the best way to gain the necessary perspectives, insights and opinions required to author a meaningful paper, which will ensure Developing Nations and International Learning Institutions are both moving toward the same future is to,

establish an online Think Tank
Gain the participation of a large number of representatives from Universities and Colleges from all countries
Introduce Technology and Solution Providers to the Think Tank
Establish some Proof of Concept Pilot Programs in conjunction with participating Universities and Colleges and young people from Developing Countries.
Conclude the Think Tank process with a Conference where methodologies, technologies and outcomes are presented and demonstrated
Invite Education Department leaders from Developing Countries to attend the Conference so they can see for themselves the impacts new delivery methods will have for their young people.

The Think Tank

The best way to establish any global Think Tank which needs to deliver, unfettered access to hundreds of members across the globe, while still maintaining a high level of privacy, is to establish it inside a set of Facebook Groups; categorized as ‘secret groups’.

Facebook Groups categorized as secret groups, are closed groups, which only allow members of the group to,

find the group,
see its contents,
add comments,
view comments made by other members.

This online Think Tank methodology allows 100% private interaction between all members, while blocking any general public viewing, comments or advertising.

In order to stop discussions from jumping from one topic to the next, which can be both confusing and off-putting for members, five Think Tank Facebook Groups have been established. Each individual group is dedicated to member discussions of one of the five major topics of the Think Tank.

TOPICS/GROUP (1)

How will the delivery of International Education evolve over the next decade?
What impact will new technologies such as 360 degree cameras, virtual & augmented reality, and high speed dual direction streaming have on education delivery?
What impact will cheaper and more readily available hardware & delivery technologies have on online education delivery?
How can countries maximize student education opportunities in the current and near term environment?
How important will student mobility be in the future online education environment?
The role and evolution of Virtual Campuses?

TOPICS/GROUP (2)

Comparison of present online & campus degrees, with degrees gained from anticipated new delivery methods; outcomes for students, both now and in the future.
What will be the education multipliers of the future and what do Developing Countries need to do today, to ensure they are well position to take advantage of them?
Will new internet delivered education bring about lower tuition fees, which will in turn, create an even greater multiplier of students from Developing Countries able to afford an international tertiary education?
New higher education delivery methods which deliver high quality tuition to students at home will allow students in foreign countries to undertake 'Part-Time' studies. What impact will this have on student numbers?
Does the combined global International higher education industry, comprising universities & colleges possess the staff & resources to cope with a tenfold increase in international students?
Will smaller universities & colleges play a greater role in future international education delivery?
What changes will need to be made, if any, to the way education consultants and agents interact with potential students and international universities?

TOPICS/GROUP (3)

Strategies for building stronger relationships & communications between Governments and potential students of Developing Nations, with International Education Institutions.
If there is a tenfold increase in students seeking an international education, will the education fairs of today be the right vehicle to promote future education options?
What role will social media play in promoting education pathways to future potential students?
Will new education delivery methods lead to more collaboration and partnering between universities from the Developed & Developing world?
What other communications strategies should be implemented, and what role will governments of Developing Nations need to play in implementing these strategies?

TOPICS/GROUP (4)

How should Developing Nations prepare their secondary students and learning institutions so they will be best equipped to handle any future methods of international tertiary education delivery?
Should students from Developing Nations considering a future international degree delivered over the internet, also consider doing the last two secondary years of study online to gain experience of how new education delivery works?
Should high quality international secondary schools and colleges look into providing secondary school studies via new delivery methods?
Should secondary schools in Developing Nations introduce short online courses for all students so they can gain the experience and skill sets they are going to require to undertake full time tertiary studies over the internet?

TOPICS/GROUP (5)

How should grants from Development Banks & Climate Change Funds (more than USD10 billion available) be utilized to substantially increase the number of students from Developing Nations being presented with the opportunity to gain a world class tertiary education; both now and in the near term future with more,
- Scholarships?
- Info/Infrastructure?
- Promotion?
- Creating a stronger, more reliable internet service in-country?
The WCCC will seek substantial funding from Development Banks & Climate Change Funds, to fully fund Proof of Concept projects, of a number of new International Higher Education delivery methods discussed within this Think Tank.
- Which new International Higher Education Delivery methods should we select for Proof of Concept?
- Which Developing Country(s) should we target for the Proof of Concept projects?
- How should we select Developed Countries and universities or colleges to deliver the Proof of Concept projects, so at to ensure our results are accurate?
- How many students should be fully funded to participate in each Proof of Concept project?
- How should participating students be selected?
- What will be the measures of success of each Proof of Concept?

All participants of the Think Tank will be made members of all five groups. This will allow all participants to follow, and add to the discussions on each of the five major topics at any time.

New discussion topics & groups will be added from time to time to facilitate new lines of thought and discussion.

This Think Tank is in no way trying to uncover the commercially sensitive future marketing strategies, or planning, of individual countries or universities. Rather it looks to create a vivid general picture of how today’s education industry professionals, representing different nations and universities, envisage the international higher education delivery mechanism, globally, to evolve over the next ten years; and how governments of Developing Nations can begin to prepare to take advantages of these new delivery mechanisms.

The five Facebook groups will remain open for discussion and input from March 1st – October 13th 2017

Think Tank Participation

Who Should Participate

The Think Tank will be best positioned to produce a broad, balanced outcome, if every university & college in every Developed Nation, delivering international education, has at least one representative participating in it. Participation by senior staff of National International Education Bodies, such as Study in the USA & DAAD will further add value to the discussion.

Suggested participants would include,

Chancellors / Vice Chancellors / Provosts / Presidents / Principals / Rectors
Professional Staff of country specific International Study & Advisory Organisations
Vice Presidents / Directors of International Marketing / Marketing/International Studies / Admissions / Financial Aid / Scholarships / Planning & Development
Managers of International Marketing / Marketing / International Studies / Admissions / Financial Aid / Scholarships / Planning & Development
Deans / Professors / Lecturers of international studies & courses
Any other Administrative or Faculty Staff Member who is in some way involved in International Education Delivery.
Professional staff of Education Bodies.
International Higher Education Consultants and Agents.

Why Participate

The outcomes and conclusions of this Think Tank will be sorted & compiled to create a white paper, which will be presented to the governments of 147 Developing Nations, representing more than 75% of the world’s population, who are seeking to gather a broad range of qualified opinions from existing International Education Delivery Professionals, of Developed Nations, as to how they see Higher Education Delivery evolving over the next ten years.

These expert assessments and predictions will assist Governments of these nations, begin planning meaningful strategies and policies, so as to ensure the maximum possible number of their young people, are in the future, presented with the opportunity to gain an internationally recognized higher education.

Furthermore this Think Tank presents the opportunity for Universities and Colleges to assist governments of Developing Nations put into place strategies which will be in line with, and therefore feed into, their own future education delivery plans and strategies.

If you are an actor or stakeholder in the International Higher Education Industry, you should not overlook this opportunity to have your say in helping shape the potential new markets of your industry.

Furthermore every participant will,

be recognized within the White Paper as being a contributor to the paper.
receive a full copy of the White Paper.

International Education Professionals can register to participate in the Think Tank as an ‘Individual Participant’ simply by filling out the ‘Individual Registration Form’

Each 'Individual Participant' will be,

acknowledged in the 'Acknowledgements Section' of the white paper as a 'Contributor' to it.
Invited to represent their University or College at the 'Future Methodologies of Higher Education Delivery Conference,' October 2018.
Invited to submit a paper to be presented at the Future Methodologies of Higher Education Delivery Conference,' October 2018.

New Methodologies of International Education Delivery Conference

A conference will be staged during October 2018 which will bring together all education deliverers and recipients to discuss the implications and way forward for new methodologies of International Education delivery. The conference will include,

Presentations by members of the Think Tank regards discussions and outcomes
Presentations and Displays by technology providers of technological solutions and requirements for delivery of distant education for both education deliverers and students.
Presentations by various National Education bodies of Developed Countries regards new opportunities derived from new delivery methods
Presentations by Education Ministries of Developing Countries as to implications for their young people from new methods of International Education Delivery.
Presentations by United Nations bodies regards the global implications for young people from Developing Countries from new methods of International Education in line with the Global Sustainable Development Goals.

Think Tank Pilot Program Timeline

March – April 2017

Seek and gain participation of at least one staff member from each University and College globally.
Register a cross section of Universities and Colleges for the Pilot Programs

March - October 2017

Conduct Think Tank
Begin planning with Universities and Colleges

June 2017

Invite Technology Partners and Providers to join the Think Tank
Invite Software Developers and Providers to join the Think Tank

October 2017

Wind-up Think Tank and begin compiling results
Begin planning of selected Pilot Programs
Begin selection process of Preferred Technologies and Software for each Pilot Program

January 2018

Release Draft Version of White Paper to participating Individual Members, Universities, Colleges, Technology Partners and Software Developers for comment and changes.

March 2018

Release and Circulate White Paper to Think Tank Participants and Governments of 147 Developing Nations and Small Island States.
Organize worldwide media release of White Paper.

April – December 2018

Draft Budget and Finalize funding for each pilot project.
Plan, configure and install equipment in each participating University and College.
Test run all equipment in each participating University and College.

October - 2018

Staging of 'New Methodologies of International Education Conference' (exact date t.b.a.).
- Presentations by members of the Think Tank regards discussions and outcomes
- Presentations by technology providers of technological solutions and requirements for delivery of distant education for both education deliverers and students.
- Presentations by various National Education bodies of Developed Countries regards new opportunities derived from new delivery methods
- Presentations by Education Ministries of Developing Countries as to implications for their young people from new methods of International Education Delivery.
- Presentations by United Nations bodies regards the global implications for young people from Developing Countries from new methods of International Education in line with the Global Sustainable Development Goals.

June – December 2018.

Call for, and select first International Scholarship Students from Developing Countries and Small Island States who will participate in the Pilot Programs.
Students enroll at participating Universities and Colleges

January – December 2019

Students commence studies

FAQs

Why are Developing Countries suddenly so interested in the future of International Higher Education delivery?

Climate change is a huge problem for Developing Countries, affecting all sectors of their economy and community. They have a very small window of opportunity, 10-15 years, to dramatically increase their human capacity to take on the ever growing challenges of climate change. At present, utilizing only the graduates who can afford and are produced by the traditional bricks & mortar international education system, they will fail badly to achieve their human capacity needs. New International Education delivery methods which could produce a 10 fold increase of highly skilled graduates would be a game changer for them.

Why has the WCCC been selected to write this white paper?

The WCCC has been working closely with the governments of 65 Developing Nations, for 3 years, to gain more than 2,000 scholarships / year (WCCC Climate Change Scholarship Program) for their young people to attend international universities & colleges so they might gain the necessary qualifications needed to take on the challenges of climate change across all sectors of their economies and communities.

Why didn’t the WCCC host a traditional Think Tank or Conference to discuss the future of International Tertiary Education?

There are quite a number of reasons we decided on an online Think Tank. Here are the main ones.

Conferences take at least a year to organize, and for Developing Nations every year counts in their fight against climate change.
Conferences are very expensive to attend, costing on average USD 3,000-4,000 for each participant to attend, (airfares, accommodation, living allowances, time away from work, etc.) This dramatically limits the number of participants, and in some cases may preclude smaller universities & colleges having their input into this important discussion. We are able to implement and manage an on-line think tank for just USD25/participant.
At a participation cost of just USD25/participant every university, college and individual who is interested in the future of International Higher Education delivery can easily afford to participate.
The ability of adding to the discussion in each participant’s own time, is a another major strength of an online think tank, as participants of this think tank are all very busy people.
An online think tank will deliver a more balanced and globally accurate outcome. For example if we were to hold a think tank in Europe, we would naturally get a greater percentage of European participants, as the cost of participation for them would be far less than participants from other parts of the world. The same would apply if we were to hold the think tank in the United States, or Australia.
There is not one quick, obvious, easy answer to the future of International Higher Education delivery. An eight month (8) think tank will allow an in depth discussion, on a large number of topics which will impact its future.

How important is this Think Tank for Developing Countries?

Climate change is a game changer for most countries. Food & water security, disaster risk management, rising sea levels, destruction of marine environments and their fishing industries to name but a few are, and will continue to be, major de-stabilizers of the economies and communities of Developing Countries.

In the present global political climate, globalization, and all the positives that go hand in hand with it, seems to be nearing its end. Hence Developing Countries must develop the knowledge, capacity and skills within their own populations if they are to have any chance in the future to take on the challenges of climate change. Significantly increasing the number of young people whom are able to attain a world class education is by far, the best way to achieve their goals.