In May, the IB University Presidents’ Symposium in Geneva was attended by senior leaders from 27 institutions in 11 countries, on 5 continents.
The symposium agenda and topics were developed in consultation with the IB by Sir Howard Newby, Former Vice-Chancellor, The University of Liverpool and Robert Berdahl, Former Chancellor, University of California, Berkeley.
The symposium fulfilled the objective to network and engage with leaders from global institutions of higher education that serve as key destinations for IB students and the result was highly appreciated by all those attending.
The forum provided an opportunity to understand strategic issues for higher education and their implications for IB students and to explore the benefit to universities of recognising IB qualifications.
At the same time discussions enabled participants to discuss developments both in higher education and the IB that could impact on the ongoing relationship. There was general agreement on the desire for the IB to further develop an informal network of global higher education institutions in order to sustain the dialogue around topics of mutual interest.
Among other subjects, questions were raised as to how points were awarded for the core and the fact that the existing scoring did not enable HEI to differentiate applicants sufficiently. Lively discussions continued as to how to lower barriers confronting IB students in terms of their postsecondary options and the suitability of establishing a ‘friends’ association or advisory board of university representatives. Participants were also interested in partnerships between the IB and universities and specifically the IB Teacher Certificate programme. Also possible “IB Research Centres” associated with those offering the programme.
Siva Kumari, IB Director General, outlined the strategic direction of the IB and the importance placed on the IB’s relationship with the higher education community. George Rupp, Chair of IB Board of Governors, welcomed participants and Ian Hill, former IB Deputy Director General, gave a short history of the organization. David Hawley, Chief Academic Officer, and Carolyn Adams, Chief Assessment Officer, presented in-depth information about IB programmes, impact research and IB assessment.
On the final day, participants had the opportunity to present their institution to first year Diploma Programme students at the International School of Geneva, which was followed by a lively Q&A session focused on what universities around the world are looking for from applicants.
Attendees
- American University in Cairo, Ted Purinton, Associate Provost, Academic Administration & International Programs and Associate Professor
- Arizona State University, Robert E Page, Provost and Foundation Chair of Life Sciences
- Association of International Education Administrators, Darla K Deardoff, Executive Director, George Washington University
- Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, President Emeritus and Professor of Public Service
- Hampden-Sydney College, Christopher B Howard, President
- IE University, Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño, President
- Intl Association of Universities, Eva Egron-Polak, Secretary General
- Southern Methodist University, R Gerald Turner, President
- Swarthmore College, Jim Bock, Vice President and Dean of Admissions
- Tamagawa University, Yoshiaki Obara, President; Head, Tamagawa Gakuen
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Carlos Garcia de la Vega, Vice-Rector of Lecturing Staff
- Università Bocconi, Stefano Caselli, Vice Rector for International Affairs
- University College London, Michael Arthur, President and Provost
- University of Bath, Bernie Morley, Pro Vice-Chancellor
- University of British Columbia, Andrew Arida, Associate Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions
- University of British Columbia, David H Farrar, Provost and Vice President Academic
- University of California, Berkeley, Robert M Berdahl, Former Chancellor, Board of Directors of ACT
- University of Connecticut, Wayne A Locust, Vice President, Enrollment Planning and Mgt
- University of Edinburgh, Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor
- University of Hong Kong, Peter Mathieson, President and Vice-Chancellor
- University of Liverpool, Sir Howard Newby, Former Vice-Chancellor
- University of New South Wales, Iain Martin, Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor
- University of Oxford, Sally Mapstone, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education
- University of Tsukuba, Kyosuke Nagata, President
- University of Warwick, Sir Nigel Thrift , Vice-Chancellor
- Wake Forest University, Nathan O Hatch, President
- Zayed University, Fatima R Al-Darmaki, Assistant Provost for Student Affairs and associate professor
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