INTERNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE
“Transnational Education - Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st
Century: Malaysian and European Perspectives”
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
16 and 17 March 2012
PROGRAMME BOOK
Friday, 16 March 2012
1400 - 1500
Registration of Delegates
1500 - 1510
Arrival of the Guests of Honour
Doa recitation
1510 - 1530
Opening Addresses by
 YB Dato’ Dr. Hou Kok Chung, Malaysian Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Higher
Education
 H.E. Vincent Piket, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to
Malaysia
1530 - 1600
Mr. Joachim Fronia, Head of Unit, Erasmus Mundus and External Cooperation Unit,
Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, European Commission
“EU – Malaysian Cooperation in Higher Education: Present and Future”
1600 - 1620
Q&A
1620 - 1640
Coffee Break (Foyer)
1640 - 1710
YBhg. Prof. Tan Sri Dzulkifli, Vice Chancellor Al Bukhary International University,
Malaysia
“The Bologna Process: Implications and Impact to Higher Education in Asia”
1710 - 1740
Prof. Dr. Chris Lorenz, Free University Amsterdam – Amsterdam University College, The
Netherlands
“On the Bologna Reforms and its Consequences for Academic Professionalism – a View
From the Work Floor”
1740 - 1800
Q&A
1800 - 2000
Networking Reception (Foyer)
Saturday, 17 March 2012
0930 - 1000
Arrival of Delegates
1000 - 1030
Mr. David Crowley, International Research Funding Manager, The University of
Nottingham, United Kingdom
“Scientific Research Funding from the EU: From Frameworks to Horizons”
1030 - 1050
Q&A
1050 - 1100
Coffee Break (Foyer)
1100 - 1130
YBhg. Prof. Dr. Morshidi Sirat, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher
Education Malaysia
“Harmonising Higher Education Systems in Southeast Asia: Malaysia’s Perspective”
1130 - 1200
Prof Pavel Zgaga, Director, Centre of Educational Policy Studies, The University of
Ljubljana, Slovenia
“The Bologna Process in a Global Setting: Reconsidering ‘Europe’s Standing in the World’
Today”
1200 - 1230
Q&A
1230 - 1330
Lunch Reception (Foyer)
Foreword by
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION MALAYSIA
As we move forward to become a regional hub for international higher education,
the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia lauds the staging of this timely
conference, “Transnational Education - Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st
Century: Malaysian and European perspectives” with its main objective to educate
and inform participants about the latest developments in transnational higher
education. I am pleased that this event is a joint effort between the MYEULINK
project, The European Union, and The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus,
as this clearly indicates a strong and continuous collaboration between the
Government and the private sector as well as an international body. The strategic
partnership, in the form of Government-private sector cooperation should be
encouraged in order to enhance the effectiveness of higher education services
within the country.
Looking at the European initiatives - to increase student mobility, transnational quality assurance and
transnational recognition of degree qualifications – are some of the important areas that we should emulate.
Through the Bologna process, for example, we will create a competitive and dynamic knowledge-based
economy in the world, and thus can help Malaysia achieve its goals and strategies for transnational
education. The purpose of the Bologna process (or Bologna Accords) is the creation of the European Higher
Education Area by making academic degree standards and quality assurance standards more comparable and
compatible throughout Europe, in particular under the Lisbon Recognition Convention. Named after the
place it was proposed, the University of Bologna, with the signing in 1999 of the Bologna declaration by
Education Ministers from 29 countries, it was opened up to other countries signatory to the European
Cultural Convention of the Council of Europe.
I hope that this event will lead to further collaboration between Europe and Malaysia, and that we will
continue to organize numerous dialogues and intellectual discourses in order to enhance the quality of higher
education in Malaysia. I believe that this conference will bear fruitful results and provide the groundwork for
future enhancement, collaboration and development of transnational higher education. I would like to thank
participants for attending and playing your part in actively contributing towards a better higher education
system. I wish all of you every success in this interesting and meaningful endeavour.
With best regards,
YB.DATO’ SERI MOHAMED KHALED BIN NORDIN
Foreword by
SECRETARY GENERAL MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Through the practice of sharing of ideas and information, through informed
discussion and deliberation we can best meet our present and future challenges
head on and add value and depth to our responses and solutions. The MYEULINK
project, funded by the European Union and the with the support of the Malaysian
Ministry of Higher Education, works towards raising the profile and awareness of
the European Union through education, from students and academics, to
practitioners in both the public and private sector.
The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, the MYEULINK project, The European
Union and The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus is providing just such a
platform for dialogue by organizing this conference aptly themed, “Transnational Education - Opportunities
and Challenges in the 21st Century: Malaysian and European perspectives”. By bringing together experts from
Europe with experience in the Bologna process and to discuss the impact the Bologna process has had on
European higher education, along side key Malaysian experts, the MYEULINK project hopes to contribute
towards result oriented dialogue, debate and key exchanges between the EU and Malaysian higher education
sectors.
I believe effective collaboration, such as this, should be extended to other areas of higher education like
research, industrial relationships and teaching and learning. As the influences of globalization and the
pressures of internationalization increase, they will continue to pose unpredictable and uncertain demands
and challenges upon us. It is pertinent, to better combat these challenges, that collective strategizing,
discussion and synergizing be practiced effectively throughout.
This conference will address three core areas where Europe has distinct experience: (1) the European
frameworks for research collaboration, (2) its experience in promoting academic staff and student exchange
and mobility and (3) the ‘Bologna process’ in aligning different national education systems. These are all
areas of expertise and experience that will provide relevant and important information on how to enhance
Malaysia’s competiveness in the global economy. This will be achieved by producing the right human capital,
with the right mixture of skills and attitude to develop more proficient and innovative graduates for the
labour market.
Lastly, I would like to congratulate all parties involved in making this conference a success and sincerely hope
the knowledge acquired and lessons learnt will assist education in general and in particular, higher education
within Malaysia.
Thank you.
Foreword by
DIRECTOR GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION MALAYSIA
In the present era of intensifying globalization, increasing liberalization and
widespread provision of higher education through transnational providers, changes
in the global and local higher education landscapes are noticeably marked.
Admittedly, increasing demands for higher education have created new challenges
to governments and stakeholders. This is true for countries in South East Asia, and
particularly for Malaysia, with her ambition to be the centre for excellence in
education. The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is aware of these
demands and challenges and is continuously reviewing strategies and realigning
action plans proactively in anticipation of changes and shift in important drivers in
the education landscape.
I believe keeping in touch with the latest trends and developments in higher education research and policy
will allow MOHE to understand the present and future demands and enable it to vastly enhance Malaysia’s
higher education system and institutions.
This conference “Transnational Education - Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st Century: Malaysian and
European Perspectives”, organized collaboratively by MOHE, MYEULINK project, European Union and
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus is not only a manifestation of synergy and cooperation but a
platform where information sharing is made possible. It is also my belief that right answers to problems and
solutions to deal with emerging challenges will be found as a result of the fusion of ideas generated from
experiences all over the world.
I would like to congratulate, MYEULINK project, European Union, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
and MOHE for creating this window of opportunity. I urge participants of this conference to actively
participate in the deliberations in order to realize the objectives of this gathering.
Thank you.
YBHG. DATO’ PROF. DR. RUJHAN BIN MUSTAFA
Mr. Joachim Fronia, Head of Unit, Erasmus Mundus and External Cooperation Unit, Education,
Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, European Commission
Title: “EU – Malaysian Cooperation in Higher Education: Present and Future”
Abstract:
Background
The European Union (EU) attaches great importance to international higher education cooperation –
including mobility of students and academic staff - as a vehicle for developing its relations with countries
in the rest of the world, and as a means of strengthening the quality of higher education content and
management.
Erasmus Mundus is a world-wide programme supporting:
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Joint programmes of outstanding quality at masters and doctoral levels, with
scholarships/fellowships to participate in these programmes;
Partnerships between EU and non-EU higher education institutions, including
scholarships and fellowships for mobility at all academic levels and for academic staff;
The promotion of European higher education through projects which enhance the
attractiveness of Europe as an education destination, and tackle the challenges of
international higher education cooperation.
The presentation
Dr Fronia's presentation will give an overview of the Erasmus Mundus programme to date, and the
opportunities it provides to higher education institutions, students and staff. It will pay particular
attention to the support given to Malaysian universities. The presentation will also focus on the current
open Call for Proposals, and how Malaysian institutions can get involved. It will also summarise the
opportunities open to Malaysian students and researchers under the programme.
The presentation will then give a sketch of the future. The current Erasmus Mundus programme runs
from 2009-2013. From 2014, the European Commission has proposed the launch of a new programme,
Erasmus for All, which will group together EU programmes supporting education, youth, culture and
sport. The proposed new programme – still under discussion - will ensure continued support for
international higher education cooperation, benefitting both universities and individual students and
staff.
Author: Mr. Fronia heads the Erasmus Mundus & External Cooperation Unit at the Audiovisual and
Culture Executive Agency. In this position he is responsible for the management of two programmes for
international higher education cooperation: the Erasmus Mundus programme, and the intra-ACP
academic mobility scheme. The annual budget managed by his unit currently amounts to more than €
260 million.
Erasmus Mundus is a world-wide programme supporting:
 Joint programmes of outstanding quality at masters and doctoral levels, with
scholarships/fellowships to participate in these programmes;
 Partnerships between European and "third-country" higher education institutions, including
scholarships and fellowships for mobility at all academic levels and for academic staff;
 The promotion of European higher education through projects which enhance the attractiveness
of Europe as an education destination, and tackle the challenges of international higher
education cooperation.
The intra-ACP academic mobility scheme promotes higher education cooperation between countries in
Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. It funds partnerships between higher education institutions (HEIs)
from different countries within these regions, and grants scholarships for students and academics to
carry out studies, research or teaching in another country covered by the programme.
From 2000 to 2004, Mr Fronia was in charge of various responsibilities within the European Commission
(Directorate General for Education and Culture). Amongst others, he was responsible of the Leonardo da
Vinci Task Force (Cleo) for the management and implementation of the Leonardo da Vinci programme,
involved in the Citizenship programme and partnership activities with civil society. Between 1996 and
1999, he was responsible for several actions within the SOCRATES programme: promotion of language
skills (LINGUA), open and distance education, including the use of multi-media in the education field
(ODL), adult education and management of actions in favour of regional and minority languages.
Prior to his involvement in education matters, Mr Fronia took on various responsibilities at the European
Commission's directorates in charge of industrial, economic, commercial and competition affairs. After
his PhD in Freiburg, Germany, he initiated his career as a Deputy Director for economic and econometric
research at the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IAW), Tübingen, Germany. Mr Fronia is German
and currently lives in Brussels (Belgium), but regularly goes on missions to the countries participating to
the programmes under his responsibility as Head of the Erasmus Mundus & External Cooperation Unit.
Prof. Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Albukhary International University, Malaysia
Title: “The Bologna Process: Implications and Impact to HE in Asia”
Abstract
The Bologna Process is established with the aim to create a European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
International cooperation and academic and student exchange are among the mechanisms used to
attract mobility to build the EHEA. The Bologna Process currently has 47 participating countries, of
which only 27 are Member States of the EU, but all party to the European Cultural Convention of the
Council of Europe.
What is interesting is that the concept of European cultural co-operation is founded on a common
history and heritage, actuating the European countries just after the Second World War. Culture was
among the first of the domains through which it was effected, and thus the active promotion of the
European cultural identity. The Council of Europe plays a decisive role in the establishment of cultural
co-operation, whose general framework is laid down by the European Cultural Convention.
Seen from this perspective, the alignment of the different national systems to the Bologna Process has
wider and more serious implications to higher education in general. This presentation will discuss some
of the major implications and assess the impact on various national systems as well as transnational
education.
Author: Dzulkifli Abdul Razak took office as the Vice-Chancellor of Albukhary International University
(AIU) on October 10, 2011.
He was the Vice-Chancellor of Unversiti Sains Malaysia (USM) from 2000 until September 2011.
He is the First Vice-President of the International Association of Universities (IAU), a UNESCO affiliated
organisation based in Paris. He was President of the Association of Southeast Asia Institutions of Higher
Learning from 2007-2008.
He is presently serving in various capacities internationally, including an executive committee member
of: Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Advisory Education Hub Committee, Association of Commonwealth
Universities (ACU) and the Advisory Committee of World Universities Forum.
He is also a member of the World Health Organisation’s Expert Advisory Panel on Drug Policies and
Management (since 1995), and a member of WHO Scientific Advisory Committee on Tobacco Product
Regulation (2000-2002). He has led a number of World Health Organisation’s missions to countries in
Asia, South Pacific and Africa.
At the national level, he served as the Chair of the Malaysian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (2006-2011)
and Chair of Malaysian Examination Council during the same period. He served as Advisor to the
National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN), as well as a member of National Higher Education
Council.
He is currently a member of the Board of Directors, Malaysia Productivity Corporation, and heads its
Creativity and Innovative Consultative Panel; member of the National Innovation Council, and then the
Governance Council, Malaysia Innovation Agency (AIM); and members of the National IT Council, as well
as the Biotechnology Implementation Committee. He was appointed as the Chairperson for the
Education Review Panel for the Ministry of Education recently, and also as a Very Distinguished Adjunct
Professor in International Islamic University of Malaysia.
He is a Fellow of the Academy of Science, Malaysia, and of the World Academy of Art and Science as well
as more recently, of Malaysian Institute of Management. He is the recipient of the Asian Academy of
Management Life Membership Award. Since 1995, he regularly engaged the public as a weekly
columnist for a leading Malaysian newspaper on issues relating to education, science, health and current
events. Selections of these have been compiled into a four-volume edition entitled, Voicing Concern.
Prof. Dr. Chris Lorenz, Free University Amsterdam / Amsterdam University College
Title: “On the Bologna Reforms and its Consequences for Academic Professionalism – A View From The
Work Floor”
Abstract
In my talk I will address the effects of the Bologna reforms on academic professionalism. First, I will
clarify the notion of professionalism. Second, I will clarify why the Bologna reforms – and similar reforms
in the US that are inspired by neoliberal New Public Management – constitute a fundamental threat to
academic professionalism as such. They do so because this type of reform a) replaces professional
autonomy concerning academic quality control by external and management-driven ‘quality
measurement’, and b) replaces the professional agenda by an agenda that is driven by economic
‘market incentives’. Third, I will illustrate this threat to academic professionalism and this tendency to
de-professionalization by the example of ranking. Fourth and last, I will argue that neoliberal New Public
Management represents nothing less than a ‘silent revolution’. This revolution – if successful – will
change academic professionalism as we have known it since the universities developed into
autonomous institutions beyond recognition.
Unfortunately Prof. Dr Chris Lorenz could not attend the conference due to unforeseen circumstances.
The key points of his presentation will be presented on his by Prof. Neville Wylie, Dean of the Faculty of
Arts and Social Sciences, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.
Mr. David Crowley, International Research Funding Manager, The University of Nottingham, United
Kingdom
Title: “Scientific Research Funding from the EU: From Frameworks to Horizons”
Abstract
In my talk I will briefly describe the main existing methods for the delivery of Trans-National Education
(TNE) before taking a closer look at one of these, namely, the International Branch Campus
(IBC)phenomenon. Although IBCs have been around for many years and are still proliferating, with
increasing concentration in East and South East Asia, it is only in the last few years that we can discern
the evolution of a substantive research element in their activity. This development has important
implications, not only for the IBCs themselves but potentially for the host countries, especially those
which are seeking to establish themselves as Higher Education (HE) “regional hubs” (Malaysia).
The Framework Programmes for Research and Development of the European Union have been around
since the mid 1980’s but it is only relatively recently that they have become genuinely global in nature
thereby affording excellent opportunities for developing countries to improve their research base
(including researcher mobility) by working in collaborative, consortium-based international research
projects. To date SE Asia has lagged behind other regions in its uptake of these funds. We will explore
how the presence of IBCs (notably from the EU) in developing countries, working with local HE and
industry, can address this issue in tandem with developing their own research agendas.
Author: David Crowley is an International Research Funding Manager for The University of Nottingham.
With a background in International Finance and Business from Trinity College in Dublin, David also was
Paul Henri Spaak Scholar at the Institute of European Studies in Brussels where he obtained his Masters
degree in the Economics of the European Union (through French) and also spent time at the University
of Maryland, USA. He started his career in Brussels with the European Commission and joined The
University of Nottingham in 1989. He has over 20 years experience promoting, applying for and
managing the European Union’s Research and Educational programmes, especially the Framework
Programmes and the Erasmus Mundus Programme, having also been Head of Research Administration
at the prestigious European University Institute in Florence, Italy. He came to the Malaysia Campus in
January 2009.
Prof. Dr. Morshidi Sirat, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia
Title: “Harmonising Higher Education Systems in Southeast Asia: Malaysia’s Perspective”
Abstract
Presently, higher education systems in Southeast Asia are a product of both political and socio-economic
realities of the countries concerned. However, with globalisation process and the internationalisation of
higher education noticeable changes in the national systems have, to a large extent, reflected not only
domestic but more importantly regional and international development. As early as 2007, the need to
harmonise higher education systems within Southeast Asia in order to facilitate faculty and student
mobility was mooted. The experiences over the last four years have highlighted the reality of such an
endeavour. In the final analysis, however, such mobility which is aimed at cultural competency and
literacy among university graduates in Southeast Asia is highly dependent on the region’s political
commitment to such a harmonisation as opposed to standardisation.
This paper assesses the harmonisation of higher education in Southeast Asia and what is the role of
the National Higher Education Strategic Plan, Beyond 2020 in facilitating such an effort. This paper is
about Malaysia’s perspective and aspiration.
Author: Professor Dr. Morshidi bin Sirat is currently the Deputy Director-General (Public Sector),
Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. He has served as the Director
of National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN) from 2005-2011. He holds a PhD degree from
University of Southampton, England, MSc (Econs) in Regional Development Planning from University
College of Swansea, University of Wales and BA (Hons) in Town and Country Planning from Council for
National Academic Awards/Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland. His research interests are in
Higher Education Policy and Management, Changing Academic Profession, Changing State-Higher
Education Institutions Relationship and in Knowledge Spaces and the City-Region: the Case of Kuala
Lumpur city region (constructing knowledge spaces). Professor Dr. Morshidi bin Sirat has also authored
many publications ranging from books, chapters in books, international renowned journals and
conferences.
Prof. Pavel Zgaga, Director, Centre of Educational Policy Studies, The University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Title:“The Bologna Process in a Global Setting: Reconsidering ‘Europe’s Standing in the World’ Today”
Abstract
During the last two decades issues of international and transnational education as well as international
cooperation in education have undergone very specific developments in Europe. They became bold
European issues, not only an issue of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between diverse national
systems. In an atmosphere characterised by a disappearance of barbed wires, by new ways of
cooperation and by the EU enlargement process progressing far beyond the “iron wall” ruined in 1989
concerns were raised among policy makers on “the international recognition and attractive potential of
our systems” and on “the international competitiveness of the European systems of higher education”.
A well-received policy aim was formulated “to consolidate Europe's standing in the world”; that is, “to
establish the European area of higher education and to promote the European system of higher
education world-wide” (Sorbonne Declaration, 1998; Bologna Declaration, 1999). In 2005, a formal
decision was taken “to elaborate and agree on a strategy for the external dimension” of European
higher education and in 2007 the strategy The European Higher Education Area in a Global Setting (EHEA
Global Strategy) was adopted by ministers from 46 countries.
In March 2010, the establishment of the European Higher Education Area has been officially declared at
an occasional celebration in Budapest and Vienna. The European higher education landscape has
changed impressively through the last decade but also broader European context has changed a lot. At
the beginning of a new decade a number of questions are asked, e.g.: Did the Bologna Process influence
the formation of a new Europe-wide higher education identity – the European Higher Education Area
(EHEA)? What lessons can be learned from European “Open Method of Coordination” in the area of
higher education; are they relevant for other world regions? What is the impact of the EHEA Global
Strategy of 2007 in terms of national higher education policies, student mobility flows, inter-institutional
cooperation, etc.? Last but not least, has the Strategy contributed to “the international recognition and
attractive potential” of European higher education in a global context? Our contribution will try to
address these questions and to provide some answers.
Author: Pavel Zgaga is Professor of Philosophy of Education and Education Policy at the University of
Ljubljana, Slovenia. During the period of social and political transition in Slovenia he was State Secretary
for Higher Education (1992 – 1999) and Minister of Education and Sport (1999 – 2000). After his return
to academe, he served as a Dean of Education Faculty (2001-2004) and a member of the Senate of the
University of Ljubljana. In 2001 he co-founded the Centre for Educational Policy Studies (CEPS) at the
University of Ljubljana and has been its director until today.
He has held several research grants and directed national and international projects on education
policy. These projects have been mainly concerned with development of higher education in the
contemporary European context as well as with teacher education as a specific area of higher education.
In these areas, he has been also co-operating with relevant agencies of the European Commission and
with several international organisations, e.g. Council of Europe, UNESCO, OECD, World Bank, etc. He has
been consultant and invited speaker in a number of countries. He was also engaged in the Bologna
Process, serving as general rapporteur (2001-2003), as a member of the Board of the Bologna Follow-up
Group (2004-2005) and as the rapporteur of the BFUG Working Group on External Dimension of the
Bologna Process (2006-2007).
He is a member of the editorial boards for the Journal of Educational Policy, Theory and Research in
Education, Mediterranean Journal of Educational Studies, Education Enquiry, Voprosy obrazovaniya
(Educational issues; Moscow) etc. In 2006, he received the Slovenian national prize for research in
education. In 2007, he received honorary doctorate from University of Umeå, Sweden.
Acknowledgements:
Datin Ir.Dr. Siti Hamisah Binti Tapsir
Dr.Mohamed Ali Bin Abdul Rahman
Pn Raihanah Binti Haji Khudri
En Chuah Chee Meng
Pn Kayathri Logenathan
Pn Nurul Azhani Binti Mohd Azmin
Cik Nurshazwani Bt Mohd Ameran
Mr Ahmad Tarmizi Bin Mohd Asarani
En Mohd Khairi Bin Hasan
Professor Christine Ennew
Professor Sayed Azam-Ali
Mr Erik Alexander Silfversten Bergman
MYEULINK Project
The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel : +603 8924 8031, Fax : +603 8924 8013
Email : [email protected] / [email protected]
Website : www.myeulink.org