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| WMU first to offer sub-Saharan TNEP |
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WMU launches nation’s first TNEP in KenyaA Sub-Saharan transnational education program (TNEP) launched by Western Michigan University this year is designed to increase higher education opportunities in Kenya through a unique partnership with Egerton University in Nakuru.  Brett Berquist, HIGE Executive Director of International Programs More than 300,000 Kenyans have passed initial college entrance exams but may never have the opportunity to earn a degree, because the nation’s five public universities can only accommodate 25 percent of students who qualify for admission.
 Egerton University, Nakuru Kenya Twenty five Kenyans were selected for the first cohort. They are interested in studying engineering and business, most in an aeronautical engineering program. These students will complete approximately 60 credit hour of courses that are “twinned” with their counterpart WMU course in Kalamazoo. After completion of the program, students will transfer seamlessly onto the WMU campus to complete their degree program. This “2+2” program saves them approximately 40 percent of the cost of a full-degree program onshore at WMU. Cathleen Fuller, director of transnational education programs at WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education, said TNEP’s offer overseas students in countries lacking higher education opportunities the chance to earn a degree from an internationally recognized institution. “No matter the delivery, location, or articulation design of the TNEP, Kenyan students will now have educational opportunities that simply were not available to them before,” Fuller said. “The main benefit to the student will be the reduced cost of directly enrolling in a foreign institution. By enrolling in a TNEP, a student can complete a significant portion of their university study and work in their home country and receive a degree from an internationally recognized institution.” Fuller said WMU has been operating TNEP’s since 1987 in the form of twinning programs, in which students complete two years in their home institution, using WMU curricula and materials, followed by two years at WMU. The University’s first TNE partnership was forged with Sunway College in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which continues. WMU’s portfolio of TNEP’s has grown to include partnerships with Hong Kong’s Saint Too College, Hindustan College in Chennai, India, Christ College in Bangalore, India and The Rajagiri Vidyapeetham (Seat of Knowledge) in Kochi, India—which offers both an engineering Undergraduate Program and a pre-MBA graduate program. Because Kenya is experiencing strong economic growth—5.3 percent for 2005—and a relatively stable government, Fuller said WMU’s TNEP in Kenya will prepare students to be major contributors to their nation’s economic growth and development. “With market economies expanding in several regions of the world, many international students are returning home after completing their degree program overseas,” Fuller said. “In the case of a TNEP where the student does study at the foreign institution, they are gaining experience and knowledge they can take back to their home countries. Bangalore, India is a perfect example of where Indian students are returning home to secure good-paying jobs, helping to develop the economic market and infrastructure to enable India to be a key player in the world arena.” TNEP’s also aid WMU in attracting international students to Kalamazoo to enhance the diversity of the campus community and foster the exchange of intercultural knowledge. “International student numbers at universities have declined nationally,” Fuller said. “Some of the reasons are expanding home country capacity of public/private higher education systems, international students’ perception of U.S. visa hurdles, high tuition fees, alternative access to U.S. degrees (distance education, joint degrees, etc.), and increasing national strategies and investment by competing host countries. As the international educational markets develop, adapt and grow, we will begin seeing a myriad of delivery systems that will be described as a TNEP. WMU intends to be on the frontline of TNEP offerings.” What is a transnational exchange program? A transnational exchange program is defined as the delivery and/or assessment of programs/courses by an accredited provider in a country other than the provider’s home country, where delivery includes a face-to-face component. Three typical examples: * 2 + 2 program (twinning—two years in their home institution, using WMU curricula and materials; two years at WMU); * 3 + 1 program (three years at home institution, one year at WMU), * 4 + 0 program (all work completed off-shore, using WMU curricula but a combination of host institution and WMU faculty). Why Kenya? * Lack of capacity in Kenyan Universities o 25% of qualified students admitted * Growth in Kenyan Economy o 5.3% in 2005 (i.e. stable political and economical environment – VERY important for any twinning location.) * Kenya among top 10 countries in WMU international enrollment * US top destination overall for Kenyan students * WMU program first twinning (2+2) program in Sub-Saharan Africa Why Egerton? * Oldest university in Kenya * Similarities in program offerings – 50% of EU students are in College of Education * Strong ties with US – USAID * Research interests * Infrastructure in place – Self-Sponsored Student Department Faculties (Colleges) at Egerton University * Agriculture * Arts and Social Sciences * Education and Human Resources * Engineering and Technology * Environment and Resources Development * Health Sciences * Science * Commerce * Continuing Education * Institute of Women, Gender and Development Egerton Campuses * Njoro Campus (Main) * Nakuru Town Campus (Twinning and Self-Sponsored Programs) * Kissi College Campus (Commerce) * Laikipia College Campus (Education) Nakuru Town Campus * Main Campus for Twinning Program * Curricula to be offered: o Engineering o Computer Science o Business (Fall, 2006) |
