US: Investigating collaboration in graduate education

The American Council of Graduate Schools* is to investigate international collaborations in graduate education, following the award of a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The study will include joint and dual degrees, and student and faculty exchange programmes.

A recent CGS survey found that 38% of US graduate schools have at least one international collaborative programme and that 31% plan to initiate a new collaboration in the next two years. This suggests that such projects are now a regular part of graduate education and will continue to become more widely adopted.

CGS President Debra Stewart said the council's project was intended to generate a clearer understanding of the policies and practices that foster, or inhibit, successful international collaborations in graduate education.

Stewart said that through the project, CGS would assist institution leaders, faculty and students to take better advantage of international collaborative opportunities, especially in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

One of the project's goals was to answer calls from various stakeholders for guidance and best practices so they each did not have to "reinvent the wheel" when seeking to build international collaborations.

"The capacity to articulate programmes across national borders may be the hallmark of a successful graduate school in the not-too-distant future," Stewart said. "This project promises to engage graduate deans, research leaders and federal agencies to enhance the development and promotion of these critical partnerships. I am delighted that CGS is in a position to play an important role in this effort."

The CGS will conduct survey and focus group research, hold workshops and meetings, develop a dedicated website, and produce a white paper and formal publication on the topic.

Stewart said the project was part of the council's broader efforts to promote improved understanding and dialogue about the globalisation of graduate education - the theme of this year's CGS annual meeting, to be held in Washington DC in early December.

* The Council of Graduate Schools is comprised of more than 500 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada that are engaged in graduate education, research and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees. CGS member institutions award 94% of the doctoral degrees and 80% of the master's degrees in the US.