Education World Forum is stated to be the world's largest gathering of education and skills ministers. and takes places annual in London each May. It convenes delegates to share challenges education systems face and looks to address challenges and discuss solutions. This year's theme examined 'How should we prioritise policy and implementation for strong, bolder better education?'
I learnt that Bahrain has recently implemented a pathway for students with vocational qualifications to access HE. This builds further equity into the Bahrain HE systems and follows work Advance HE has supported in the Kingdom for several year spanning female leadership and teacher recognition in HE. Congratulations to Dr Zainab Ali Al Tooq Director, Research & Policy at the Higher Education Commission and team.
Tunisia's international ambitions stemming from its excellent research system and the steady improvement in the ranking of its universities were highlighted to me by Malek Kochlef, Director General of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. He underlined the preeminent role of women in education and science, especially in STEM. Tunisia is strengthening its appeal to international students by establishing the Tunisian Agency for International Students as an operational arm for knowledge diplomacy, attracting and supporting international students.
Systems Strengthening, a report launched during the EWF week by British Expertise International at Prince Phillip House hosted by Lord Offord, Minster for Exports at Department for Business & Trade, shows UK Education providers contribution to global education systems. Work in Nigeria and Nepal by QAA and British Council is included alongside Advance HE's TNE toolkit. This TNE resource for the Philippines provides a holistic approach to the internationalisation of universities. Advance HE's work to advance and support gender equity worldwide has also featured in the earlier 2023 report Beyond Boundaries.
Finally, university leadership proved to be a very hot topic in EWF related conversations, not only for a delegation of VC's visiting along with the British Council and Pakistan Higher Education Commission led by Muhammad Faisal Butt and Mehwish Jabbar Director General and Deputy Director of NAHE but also a theme for Advance HE's work with African HEIs; our support of LSE's Africa Summit this year and working together to support African university Leadership and gender equity was a key area for discussion with Tosin Adebisi Programme Head African Leadership.