Talking Point

The magic carpet of borderless education is here. As this sector joins the globalisation bandwagon, there are trends and multiple learning to follow. Of interest to note that the crossover mobility is taking place full steam both in the real and virtual domain.

However, to make the impact of globalisation on education truly positive, apart from the seamless transfer of knowledge, a balanced meshing of culture, people and economy across different borders is necessary, to be dealt with caution and care.

In this two-part series, here is our perspective of the situation.

Commonwealth of knowledge: By all indications, the process of globalisation in education is on a fast track. It can be a positive sum game for the stakeholders, given that in the process the ill effects of brain drain and bogus degree mills will be under restraints and the prospect of a commonwealth of one world knowledge may not be a utopian dream any more. 

The impact of globalisation however means more than the mere movement of men and material. The flow of different tradition, culture and currencies across borders are also involved. The ramifications of these are not simple and depending on the countries involved can be both positive and negative. A framework of guidance and control is therefore necessary to harness the socio-cultural and economic impact of the borderless unification process.

The recently held 2009 World Conference on Higher Education under the stewardship of UNESCO in Paris between 5-8 July, deliberated on the subject of cross border education. The communiqué among other points addressed the two important issues pertinent to this article in stating:

• ICT in education: That the application of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) to teaching and learning has great potential to increase access, quality and success.
  • New approaches, including open and distance learning (ODL) and ICTs will be required in realising the goals of education for all (EFA).
  • Institutions and governments should work together to pool experience, develop policies and strengthen infrastructure, especially bandwidth, in order to ensure that the introduction of ICTs adds value.

• Globalisation in education: That education is an engine for economic prosperity. Worldwide, partnerships and concerted actions at the international levels are necessary for quality assurance and sustainability of the higher education / research systems. For globalisation to benefit all, it is critical to respect cultural diversity as well as national sovereignty.
  • Greater regional cooperation is desirable in areas such as the recognition of qualifications, quality assurance, governance, and research and innovation. Higher education should reflect the international, regional and national dimensions in both teaching and research.
  • Institutions of higher education worldwide have a social responsibility to help bridge the development gap by increasing the transfer of knowledge across borders, especially towards developing countries.
  • The encouragement of more broadly based and balanced academic mobility should be integrated into mechanisms that guarantee genuine multilateral and multicultural collaboration.

While the stakeholders will ponder to tackle such pertinent specific and collateral issues, it would be critical to note, how the negatives of globalisation are withered in giving shape to a true borderless education culture without the resultant harm of any socio-economic imbalance in the process.

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