Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...

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5.1.1.7.1 International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
In 1962, the creation of an international institution that would undertake research and training in
the field of educational planning was discussed by the UNESCO consultative committee. It was
decided that this organization would be multi-disciplinary in character, laboratory of ideas,
center of diffusion and learning, hub of research and experience. Later on in the same year
General Conference in its 12th session adopted a resolution that led to the creation of
International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) in 1963 in Paris, France.
Today this institution has become an integral part of the UNESCO and it is helping member
states to develop effective education systems by strengthening the capacity in educational
planning and management. To achieve these objectives IIEP is engaged in training of planners
and managers; assisting in improving administrative competencies, leadership skills; promoting
effective organization; foster policy forums, international co-operation and networking. IIEP is
achieving all these goals through training, research and technical assistance to member states. In
this regard, IIEP has trained more than 5000 experts and key stakeholders and it has produced
more than 1500 publications on all aspects of educational planning including higher education
since 1963. (IIEP-UNESCO, 2010). Many of these publication are accessible online free of
charges. IIEP also provides copies of its publications to 150 libraries in the world, thirty of them
in Asia. IIEP also houses a rich documentation centre which have over 33,000 documents related
to education policy, planning and management.
IIEP started providing technical assistance in educational planning in 1993 as a response to the
requests from the member states. At present IIEP plays an important role in the provision of
technical assistance which is an essential component for capacity building. In 2002, IIEP
launched a Master degree program in Educational Planning and Management. IIEP also
organizes many policy forums, seminars and other capacity development activities at its
headquarters and in the member states every year. These initiatives provide opportunities to the
participants to have better understanding of the existing problems faced by education sector in
the different parts of the world and their own countries. And these learning activities also provide
necessary competencies to enable them to solve their problems. Usually the participants of these
programs are the stakeholders in the education sector and they are mainly from low efficient
countries of Africa, Asia and South America. IIEP is effectively serving the needs of UNESCO
member states by providing relevant services (Woodhall & Malan, 2003).