Regional Platforms for International Cooperation in Higher Education

Abstract

The present overview raises questions regarding the degree of regulation of educational network cooperation between domestic and foreign universities. The current networking models within the educational space, the so-called constructors, are analysed. Special attention is given to the Network University of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Network University, the “Russian-African Network University” Consortium, the University Alliance of the Silk Road, the Australia Africa Universities Network, the Matariki Network of Universities, the Network of Universities of South and South-East Asia, the International Strategic Technology Alliance, the Black Sea Universities Network, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. The author highlights the unique advantages of network cooperation, the possibility of combining different processes (theoretical training, research activities, practical internships with employers), the possibility of cooperation in all forms of training with the utilization of remote resources. In the conclusion, it is stated that the network form of cooperation is a trend of innovative and qualitative movement of the educational system and, equally, a special tool for rationalizing partner universities, as well as a mechanism for monitoring and regulating the quality of educational programs. Moreover, a common set of barriers in the development of network educational programs and online universities are identified, in particular, insufficient activity in the field of goal-setting and strategic management and inadequate effectiveness of institutional structures coordinating online educational activities.