Internationalization in Israeli HE
Council for Higher Education Policies
Marissa Gross
Director, National Erasmus+ Office
Council for Higher Education
2014
Topics
The Governance of Higher Education
• The Council for Higher Education
• The Planning & Budgeting Committee
Joint/Dual Degrees
• CHE Regulations for Accreditation
Studies in a Foreign Language (English)
• CHE Regulations for Accreditation
• New Programs & Existing Programs
The institutions that govern Higher Education in Israel:
(1) The Council for Higher Education (CHE)
Serves as main regulator of HE:
Provides accreditation of new degrees &
programs
Approves the establishment of new
institutions and Licensing of branches of
foreign HE Institutions
Conducts Quality Assurance of existing
programs
Safeguards academic freedom while advancing
academic research and teaching
(2) The Planning and Budgeting Committee - PBC
Plans the development of the HE system at the national
level, taking into account both academic and national needs
Negotiates with the Ministry of Finance the share of higher
education in the state budget.
Allocates the budget to the HE institutions (HEI’s)
Examines requests to open new institutions & new
academic programs from the planning and budgetary points
of view
Ensures that institutional budgets are balanced and
executed according to plan while ensuring the HEI’s solvency
Joint/Dual Degrees - Background
• CHE resolution passed March 2013
• Academic guidelines sent to all HEIs
in Israel in April 2013
• Based on recommendations of Zang
Committee
• Full Guidelines here (CHE website)
Joint/Dual Degrees
• Joint degree programs involving accredited Israeli
institutions and accredited foreign institutions
• Students receive either a joint degree OR dual degree
• Students must be enrolled in each institution for at least
one semester
• Admission requirements equivalent to requirements for
program in Hebrew
• Creation of joint quality assurance structures, including
joint steering committee to monitor the program
• Partnership agreement between institutions
Joint/Dual Degrees - Guidelines
• Accreditation proposal must include:
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Proof of accreditation + academic quality
Program rationale
Admission requirements
Teaching faculty
Partnership agreements/documentation
Changes implemented if based on an accredited Hebrew
program
• Accreditation will be based on these criteria +
assessment of the justification for a joint program
& availability of proper infrastructure
Studies in a Foreign Language
• CHE resolution September 2013
• Resolution sent to HEIs in October 2013 + Guidelines on how
to receive accreditation sent in November 2013
• Regulations relate to new programs in a foreign language &
existing programs
• Easier process if the program is based on a Hebrew program
*** HEIs are entitled to translate/convert individual courses
without the CHE’s approval, as long as they maintain the
academic standard of the Hebrew courses and notify the
CHE afterwards. ***
Studies in a Foreign Language
1. Request to open a new program in a foreign
language, not based on a Hebrew program
• Same process as new Hebrew program
2. Request to open new program in foreign language
based on translation/conversation of Hebrew
program accredited by the CHE
• Must prove equivalent academic content, standards,
faculty. CHE staff ensures equivalency.
• If equivalent, the request will be approved for 2 years &
a monitor will be appointed to ensure quality.
• If differences are found, a monitor will be appointed
To review the program before approval.
Courses in a Foreign Language
3. Request to accredit existing program in foreign
language based on translation/conversation of
existing Hebrew program accredited by the CHE
– Date the program was established; # of graduates in last 5
years; the equivalency to the Hebrew program
– The CHE will verify the equivalency- if it is not found a
monitor will be appointed.
4. Request to accredit existing program in foreign
language based on translation/conversation of
existing Hebrew program not accredited by the CHE
• Date the program was established, # of graduates in last 5
years, courses, faculty list, curriculum, admissions criteria,
infrastructure
Thank you for listening!