Internationalising Higher Education

Hackney Community College (HCC) and Lagos State Ministry of Education in Nigeria have established a partnership through Education Partnerships in Africa (EPA). HCC's international strategy includes a focus on transnational education and previous success in this field, combined with local Nigerian community links, encouraged HCC to support the ambitious education modernisation programme in Lagos State. Dominated by a dependency on oil, Lagos State Government has identified a need to diversify the industry, tackle unemployment and increase competitiveness in the global market. A relevant curriculum in effective colleges is crucial to meet employer needs (employability and entrepreneurship alongside traditional skills). Currently, there are only five colleges, with a success rate under 40%, and 5,500 students, with a total population of around 20 million. Lagos State aims to increase the capacity of colleges; align curriculum to emerging industries; modernise facilities; prepare students for employment through closer work with employers; improve the quality and strategic management of education through HCC's commitment; help the government identify priorities and support the delivery of the agenda; support college leaders with strategic planning, employer engagement and quality assurance systems; and train staff to plan and deliver employability skills. HCC has attended a Lagos State Education Department briefing on the modernisation programme, attended a Lagos State meeting with the World Bank, agreed to bid for further World Bank funds to support the initiative, visited all five colleges in Lagos and designed a training programme for the first group of Lagos college leaders (in the UK). By April 2010, training will be delivered in Lagos, and by October 2010 assessment and a review visit will take place. HCC welcomes discussion around achievements and the approach for their next steps.