Collaboration between higher education institutions is an important part of internationalisation. Institutions are successfully using collaborative models to increase both inbound and outbound student mobility, staff mobility, and international research capacity.

The Higher Education Partnership Forum enables participants from across the globe to connect with partners and to be informed about models of collaboration.

In 2017 the forum takes place in Seville, Spain directly after the ICEF Higher Education Workshop and prior to the EAIE Conference.

The inaugural ICEF 2016 Higher Education Partnership Forum was a resounding success, bringing together educators from around the world interested in developing partnerships with foreign institutions. The forum featured one-to-one meetings as well as a half-day seminar programme that showcased innovative models and best practices in higher education (HE) partnerships. Specifically, these seminars discussed international dual degrees, due diligence as a framework for collaboration, pathways models, and much more.

In total, 151 participants from 101 organisations attended the Forum. This included representatives from 84 accredited higher education institutions in 18 countries.

Forum participants may also attend various seminars, expert panels, and presentations designed to inform and inspire participants with a showcase of models and best practice in HE partnerships. In addition, forum attendees benefit from numerous informal networking opportunities including lunch, coffee breaks, and an evening reception to develop the more social aspects of their business relationships.

Below are some examples of the types of collaborations that participants are able to develop during the event:

International dual/double degree programmes: degrees collaboratively offered by two higher education institutions located in different countries. Students receive degree certificates issued from both universities.

International joint degree programmes: programmes collaboratively offered by two (or more) higher education institutions located in different countries. Students study at two or more institutions and gain one degree signed by all participating institutions.

Articulation agreements: allows undergraduate students who have completed a specified curriculum at a partner institution to apply to a university and enrol with advanced standing into a specific programme.

Course-to-Course transfers/contracts: pre‐arranged recognition of the equivalency of specific courses at one institution to the corresponding course at a partner university. Includes private qualification providers.

Third-Party contracts: a university contracts with a third-party for delivery of courses. In this case the third party would be an organisation that is either not an institution of higher learning (private provider), or is an institution that is outside the home country.

Sequential degrees: students earn a specified degree at an institution and completes a second, related programme at a partner university.

Research collaboration: Collaborative research involving international partners.

Study abroad: students spend six months or a year of their degree at an overseas university and receive credits towards their degree. Tuition fees are charged by the receiving university for study abroad.

Exchange: students spend six months or a year of their degree at an overseas university and receive credits towards their degree. Exchange does not involve tuition fees as it involves students from both institutions and is one for one.

Click here for more information.