Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...
Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...
Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
107<br />
5.1.1.7.1 International Institute for Educational Plann<strong>in</strong>g (IIEP)<br />
In 1962, <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> an <strong>in</strong>ternational <strong>in</strong>stitution that would undertake research <strong>and</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> <strong>education</strong>al plann<strong>in</strong>g was discussed by <strong>the</strong> UNESCO consultative committee. It was<br />
decided that this organization would be multi-discipl<strong>in</strong>ary <strong>in</strong> character, laboratory <strong>of</strong> ideas,<br />
center <strong>of</strong> diffusion <strong>and</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g, hub <strong>of</strong> research <strong>and</strong> experience. Later on <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same year<br />
General Conference <strong>in</strong> its 12th session adopted a resolution that led to <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong><br />
International Institute for Educational Plann<strong>in</strong>g (IIEP) <strong>in</strong> 1963 <strong>in</strong> Paris, France.<br />
Today this <strong>in</strong>stitution has become an <strong>in</strong>tegral part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UNESCO <strong>and</strong> it is help<strong>in</strong>g member<br />
states to develop effective <strong>education</strong> systems by streng<strong>the</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> capacity <strong>in</strong> <strong>education</strong>al<br />
plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> management. To achieve <strong>the</strong>se objectives IIEP is engaged <strong>in</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> planners<br />
<strong>and</strong> managers; assist<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> improv<strong>in</strong>g adm<strong>in</strong>istrative competencies, leadership skills; promot<strong>in</strong>g<br />
effective organization; foster policy forums, <strong>in</strong>ternational co-operation <strong>and</strong> network<strong>in</strong>g. IIEP is<br />
achiev<strong>in</strong>g all <strong>the</strong>se goals through tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, research <strong>and</strong> technical assistance to member states. In<br />
this regard, IIEP has tra<strong>in</strong>ed more than 5000 experts <strong>and</strong> key stakeholders <strong>and</strong> it has produced<br />
more than 1500 publications on all aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>education</strong>al plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g higher <strong>education</strong><br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce 1963. (IIEP-UNESCO, 2010). Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se publication are accessible onl<strong>in</strong>e free <strong>of</strong><br />
charges. IIEP also provides copies <strong>of</strong> its publications to 150 libraries <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, thirty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m<br />
<strong>in</strong> Asia. IIEP also houses a rich documentation centre which have over 33,000 documents related<br />
to <strong>education</strong> policy, plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> management.<br />
IIEP started provid<strong>in</strong>g technical assistance <strong>in</strong> <strong>education</strong>al plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 1993 as a response to <strong>the</strong><br />
requests from <strong>the</strong> member states. At present IIEP plays an important <strong>role</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong><br />
technical assistance which is an essential component for capacity build<strong>in</strong>g. In 2002, IIEP<br />
launched a Master degree program <strong>in</strong> Educational Plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> Management. IIEP also<br />
organizes many policy forums, sem<strong>in</strong>ars <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r capacity development activities at its<br />
headquarters <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> member states every year. These <strong>in</strong>itiatives provide opportunities to <strong>the</strong><br />
participants to have better underst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> exist<strong>in</strong>g problems faced by <strong>education</strong> sector <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> different parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own <strong>countries</strong>. And <strong>the</strong>se learn<strong>in</strong>g activities also provide<br />
necessary competencies to enable <strong>the</strong>m to solve <strong>the</strong>ir problems. Usually <strong>the</strong> participants <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
programs are <strong>the</strong> stakeholders <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>education</strong> sector <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y are ma<strong>in</strong>ly from low efficient<br />
<strong>countries</strong> <strong>of</strong> Africa, Asia <strong>and</strong> South America. IIEP is effectively serv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> UNESCO<br />
member states by provid<strong>in</strong>g relevant services (Woodhall & Malan, 2003).