(1038)BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL TRANSATLANTIC COLLABORATION INENGINEERING/TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION. LESSONS FROM ASIX YEAR JOURNEY

摘要

In a progressively more interconnected world, contemporary third level studentsrecognise the modern necessity to learn to operate effectively in different culturalcontexts. Moreover, employers clearly value graduates who demonstrate the ability tooperate successfully in international contexts. Hence, students want their educationalinstitution to push beyond the boundaries of the traditional lecture theatre and lab—tolook outward and create a range of relevant educational engagement and deliverymodels which are truly international and embrace a global perspective.For European third level educational institutions intent on responding to such imperatives,the practical initiation, development and sustenance of along-term multi-faceted trans-Atlantic educational partnerships is not a trivial undertaking. Such a collaborativeendeavour provides a multitude of strategic organisational, cultural, educational, financialand process development challenges. However, since many of the challenges arebroadly common to all institutions, much useful knowledge can be usefully gleaned fromthe experience of those transatlantic partners who have travelled successfully and furtheron a partnership journey already.In this context, this paper reflects on key learning’s from the first six-years (2004-2010) ofthe development of a collaborative journey of two trans-Atlantic higher-educationalinstitutions. It describes the progress towards building a sustainable and innovativeinternational educational partnership in Engineering/Technological education between theDublin Institute of Technology, Dublin Ireland and Purdue University, Indiana, USA.In particular, the paper provides insight into the iterative stages of development of thisrelationship. It reflects on some of the key challenges and it recognises the criticalenablers of success. It focuses on challenges and solutions in the following six importantareas:(i) The partnership initiation stage. Key considerations and important enablers offuture success(ii) Building early “quick win” momentum in a partnership(iii) Full-semester undergraduate exchange. Key educational and logistical challengesand solutions(iv) Creating post-graduate opportunities.(v) Quality assurance and standards considerations in international collaboration(vi) Project sustainability and continuous improvementThis collaborative journey has taken these partners from “no relationship” to a situationtoday where they have an active, multi-faceted partnership involving both education andresearch;a partnership whose activities are supported by a educational budget of morethan ?880K to date. Currently, the educational component of this partnership includes anactive “full semester accredited exchange” for European and US undergraduates, a DualMasters degree for post-graduate students and now a burgeoning research collaborationalso.The paper is relevant to any European third level educational organisation focused onbuilding a long-term sustainable transatlantic partnership.