Open Technology : Enhanced Higher Education, Professional Development and Research Collaboration

There are more than one way forward for HEIs that wish to strategize how to best advance engagement with the wider society, address the changing need for professional development, develop learning technologies and establish international collaboration such as for research. The current study investigates, compares and discusses HEIs’ strategies for three areas: technology-enhanced education (including open courses); professional development of academic staff and research collaboration and engagement with business and other community stakeholders. The last issue is discussed in relation to Perez Vico et. al.’s (2014) categories of collaboration. The four HEIs involved in this study are the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, SIM University, Singapore, University of Cape Town, South Africa, and Stockholm University, Sweden. Formal documents about strategies and policies from each university are scrutinized in conjunction with interviews with managers who are responsible for educational development. Concepts and strategies for advancing blended learning courses and open and online courses are investigated. Making education available for lifelong learning, supporting economic growth, developing the region and interacting with the surrounding society are missions mentioned by some of the HEIs. The four HEIs apply different strategies to action mission statements and strategic plans.