A COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING HUMAN POTENTIAL FOR THE AMERICAS Maria Levens, Director Department of Human Development, Education and Culture, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development CEPCIDI Meeting Washington, D.C., March 30, 2010
Jan 11, 2016
A COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING HUMAN POTENTIAL FOR THE AMERICAS
Maria Levens, Director
Department of Human Development, Education and Culture, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
CEPCIDI Meeting
Washington, D.C., March 30, 2010
I) The Role of the OAS in Higher Education
II) Academic Scholarships
III) Professional Development Scholarships
IV) Leo S. Rowe Fund – Interest-Free Student Loans
V) Educational Portal of the Americas
VI) New Activities
Outline
Background: Artwork of Argentinean OAS fellow Federico Augusto Martino who received an OAS scholarship to study at the Corcoran School of Art in 1963.
Maria Levens -Director
Lesley ZarkDirector, Office of Scholarships, Training and Capacity-Strengthening
Lenore GarciaDirector, Office of Education and Culture
Cecilia Martins Chief, Office of the Educational Portal of the Americas
Lina SevillanoTechnical Secretary, Leo S. Rowe Pan-American Fund Committee
The Department of Human Development, Education and Culture
Artwork of Chilean OAS fellow Rodolfo Opazo Bernales who received an OAS scholarship to study at the Pratt Graphic Art Center in 1961.
Declaration of Commitment, Article 38
Fifth Summit of the Americas – Port of Spain
“Recognizing that education is a lifelong process that promotes social inclusion and democratic citizenship and allows people to contribute fully to the development of society, we will give high priority to improving and expanding … access to tertiary, technical –vocational and adult education.”
“We intend to increase the tertiary education participation rate to a minimum of 40 per cent by 2020 and urge countries which have already made considerable advances in this area to exchange best practices that will support the efforts of other countries to achieve this target…”
From the Final Communiqué:
2009 World Conference on Higher Education
“At no time in history has it been more important to invest in higher education as a major force in building an inclusive and diverse knowledge society and to advance research, innovation and creativity”
“The Current economic downturn may be widening the gap in access and quality between developed and developing countries, presenting additional challenges to
The UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education closed on 8 July 2009 with a call to governments to increase investment in higher education, encourage diversity and strengthen regional cooperation to serve societal needs.
countries where access is already restricted.”
The total enrolment in tertiary education regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the population in the five-year age group following on from the secondary school leaving age.
Source: UNESCO EFA Global Monitoring Report 2010
Tertiary Education Enrolment Rates
Tools for Expanding Access to Higher Education
Scholarships for Academic Studies
Scholarships for Professional Development Training
Interest-Free Educational Loans for Studies in the U.S.
Low Cost, Accessible Learning and Knowledge Transfer through ICTs
OAS Consortium of Universities
Partnerships for Education and Training
Regional Conferences
Emergency Programs
Artwork of Bolivian OAS fellow Alfredo Da Silva who received an OAS scholarship to study at the Pratt Graphic Art Center in 1962.
Scholarships for Academic Studies
Graduate Studies
51 years of OAS Scholarships 21,200 Scholarships Granted
Amílcar Meléndez of Panama is pursuing his graduate studies in Chile with an OAS fellowship, where he had the chance to meet President Bachelet in 2009.
The work of Remond Mangoensemito of Suriname. Remond pursued his studies at the Edna Manley College in Jamaica with an OAS scholarship in 2004.
Undergraduate Studies (SPECAF)
27 years of OAS Scholarships 1,258 Scholarships Granted
The Impact of Scholarships for Academic Study
• Leaders produced in a wide range of fields, specializations and economic sectors.
• Currently of particular importance to small Latin American Countries and the Caribbean
• Multiplier effect as scholars return with credentials needed for university-level teaching.
• Strengthening institutions means strengthening the human capacity of those who manage them
• 5 decades of return on investment.
Scholarships for Academic Studies
AG/RES. 2495 (XXXIX-O/09)
Reaffirms “the contribution of the scholarship programs of the OAS to the training of leaders, academics, researchers, and professionals in the Hemisphere working in the public and private sector.”
“Thanks to the OAS Scholarship, I was able to take a variety of postgraduate courses in Boston and Worcester…One of the most interesting courses that I took was “Library Automation” at Simmons College. This course led me to the design of library applications that now serve as the base for a series of systems in use in the Central American region.”
Dr. Grete Pasch (Guatemala) OAS Fellow 1987Director, Academic Information Resources, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatamala
“…Upon successful completion and my return to Saint Lucia I was promoted to the post of Executive Director of the main general hospital, a post which was previously held by a non-national.”
Clotilda Fevrier (St. Lucia) OAS Fellow 2002 Executive Director of the Victoria Hospital, Castries
Statements of Impact – Academic Studies
Clotilda Fevrier & Victoria Hospital
Dr. Pasch (center) receives national award for best website for her new
library website design in 2005
“…My OAS fellowship provided me the opportunity to reside in Venezuela and collaborate with outstanding professionals ... This experience sharpened my ability to manage and conduct business across borders and cultures…Thank you again for this opportunity to reflect after 25 years on an opportunity that changed my life.”
Dr. Bruce R. Magid (USA ) OAS Fellow 1976Dean, International Business School of Brandeis University
“…I was accepted to University but was unable to secure funding until I was awarded an OAS scholarship … I have since taken up the position of Director with our Telecommunications Regulator where I continue to serve my country and the region working alongside regional and international institutions…”
Apollo Knights (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) OAS Fellow 1995Director, National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission
Dr. Magid lectures to students at Brandeis International Business School
Statements of Impact – Academic Studies
“…My ex-students total several thousand and are today professors, businesspeople, public functionaries, and among these a current Latin American president...None of this would have taken place were it not for the scholarship granted by the OAS for me to undertake my doctoral studies in the United States.”
Dr. Guillermo S. Edelberg (Argentina) OAS Fellow 1959Professor Emeritus, INCAE Business School
“…With the support of the OAS, I was able to enroll in the early 1960s in the Faculty of Economics of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)…I still remember the names of the distinguished professors who influenced my career…”
Ambassador Jean Casimir (Haiti ) OAS Fellow 1961Perm. Representative to the USA and the OAS from 1991-96
Statements of Impact – Academic Studies
Costa Rica 2009Chile 2009Jamaica 2008
Chile 1968 El Salvador 1968Paraguay 1968
OAS Scholarship Alumni Meetings
OAS Scholarship Alumni Networks
Current OAS Fellows in Chile Facebook Group 2010
Nicaraguan Ex-Fellows Newsletter late 60s
OAS Consortium of Universities
The OAS Consortium
115 Agreements with Academic Institutions in
18 Member States
Professional Development Scholarships
Over 30,000 Scholarships for Professional Development have been awarded since 1962.
Program of Cooperation with Course Offering Institutions in Member States and Observer States.
Above: Tourism course at the Inter-American Center for Tourism Training in Mexico, 1975Left: Conflict Analysis and Resolution Building Capacity for Democratic Change in the Americas at George Mason University in the USA,2009
• Short-Term Training
• Courses closely-related to CIDI Priority Areas
“We learned about the experiences in microfinance around the world. Actually, for the Ecuadorian government it is a priority to invest in the rural and poor areas, with credits and technical assistance to develop micro enterprises based on the community. In this context the knowledge that I gained is going to be an excellent tool to push the projects in which the National Microfinance Program is working on now.”
-Diana Valeria GallegosCourse: Community-Based Micro-Finance and Income Generation Management for Poverty Alleviation in Thailand, 2009
“In September of 2005, I attended a USTTI course entitled ‘Wireless Rural Telephony’ in California conducted by TELEMOBILE. I am presently working in the Service Delivery department for Belize Telemedia Ltd. One of our responsibilities is to install and maintain rural telephone in Belize. Before attending this course I had a limited background in Rural Telephony. This course has helped me to gain knowledge and to be more effective in this area of my job. I am now able to confidently provide assistance to field technician in problem solving and to make necessary decision in the provision of telephone service to remote area in Belize.”
- Clifton Gladden, Supervisor Western Zone, Belize Telemedia LtdCourse: Wireless Rural Telephony in the USA, 2005
Professional Development Scholarships
Resources Leveraged through Partnerships
Academic
Contributions of OAS Consortium Partners during three (3) Academic Cycles (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10):
Total $2,721,000 (approximate)
Professional Development
Contributions of Professional Development Training Offering Institutions over four (4) years:
Total $3,590,000 (approximate)
External Contributions for Scholarships & Training
Partnerships for Education and Training
284 total scholarships contributed since 2007:
Total $2,995,000 (approximate)
Partnerships for Education and Training
Alliances with Governments and Educational Institutions
•OAS – Instituto Empresa Scholarships, Spain•OAS – Oxford University Scholarships, UK
•OAS – INCAE Business School Scholarships, Costa Rica•OAS – Argentine National Scientific and Technical Research Council
Scholarships, Argentina•OAS – Universidad de los Andes Scholarships, Colombia
•OAS – Tec de Monterrey – CRUSA Scholarships Costa Rica•OAS – Fulbright Teacher Mobility Program
•OAS – China Scholarships•OAS – Thailand Scholarships
Leo S. Rowe Fund – Student Loan Program
Grants interest-free loans to Latin Americaand Caribbean citizens to help them coverstudies or research in the United States.
Launched in 1948
• Thousands of Interest-Free Loans Granted
• Trusted source of supplementary educational financing for studies in the US
The Financial Guide for Higher Education in the Americas, developed and distributed in 2009
“My studies in the US opened several opportunities in my career. I am very grateful for the financial aid the Rowe Fund granted me. Thank you.”
E. Santalla from BoliviaMasters in Law, University of San Francisco
Educational Portal of the Americas
Information and Communication Technologies for Training and Knowledge Transfer
The Educational Portal of the Americas, www.educoas.org also hosts scholarships announcements and the electronic application mechanism of the DHDEC.
“We are conscious of the disparities in cost and access to technology within and between our countries…”
“…We are also committed to mobilizing and sharing human resources to strengthen our capacities for applying information and communications technologies to human development.”
Third Summit of the Americas, Quebec CityConnectivity Agenda for the Americas:
Over 17,000 professionals trained through the Virtual Classroom since 2002
Technical Cooperation and Support Services
More than just online courses
An Integrated Approach to Knowledge Transfer and
Training
Providing made-to-order e-learning and knowledge transfer consulting services and cooperation to:
• Academic Institutions
• Regional Organizations
• OAS Departments and Affiliates
Developing Virtual Education that Works
• Reaches people directly
• 40% of participants reside outside of major cities
• Low cost, high quality training
• Content relevant to core OAS mandates
•Jointly developed with respected partners
Educational Portal of the Americas Training
The model used in the development of online courses offered through the Virtual Classroom of the Educational Portal of the Americas to ensure high quality and high impact virtual training.
Developing Virtual Education that Works
“Working with the Educational Portal of the Americas has been a very satisfactory experience for the Trust. On one hand, it has allowed for the dissemination of the content of our programs to a greater number of beneficiaries, taking advantage of the virtual classroom. On the other hand, it has opened the doors to a new world of opportunities for the expansion of our programs which we had not originally contemplated through the development of content and closer access to students through the Portal.”
Dario Soto Director, Trust for the Americas
Partners - Academic Institutions
• Working with institutions to develop effective online training
• Working alongside institutions to help them to develop institutional capacity for virtual education projects
• Helping to establish connections between institutions in the region for mutual support in virtual education projects
Partners - Regional Organizations and Institutions
The Educational Portal of the Americas is a trusted partner for the development of virtual education projects of our regional partners.
Co-development of virtual course hosted by the portal
Technical and pedagogical support
IICA Course on Agro-eco-tourism for small and medium sized business owners.
UNDP Course on Corporate Social Responsibility
Partners - Technical Areas of the OAS
Internal OAS Partners of the Educational Portal of the Americas
Voter Registries Course developed with DECO
Virtual Community of the Summits of the Americas
La Educ@cion Virtual Magazine
Disseminating lessons learned for Education in the Americas
Re-launched in 2009
•Articles•Events•Interviews•Book Reviews
“This magazine is an excellent idea. You can read about experiences, opinions, ideas and presentations of experts in the field of education. This leads to reflection on the teaching and learning process, the quality of education and the requirements presented by the information and communication of a globalized world. These are new resources to be incorporated in to the educational system of the region. My congratulations for this brilliant idea, the material will widen the debate regarding our future generations.”
Alfredo Trottman B., Panamá
Information & Communication
Technical and Vocational
Training
Higher Education
Multilateral Programing
Knowledge Management and Transfer
Multilateral Initiative in Educ@tion for Human Development
Upcoming Activities
Caribbean Conference on Higher Education Hosted in Cooperation with UNESCO
Paramaribo, Suriname April 11-13, 2010
Emergency program for Higher Education Support in Haiti
• explore opportunities for regional academic cooperation• discuss the role of higher education in Caribbean development
• Preventing the abandonment of learning in the wake of a disaster• Part of a regional initiative for concerted and effective cooperation aimed at assisting Haiti in rebuilding its Higher Education system.
The Department of Human Development, Education and Culture
Committed to Developing Human Potential for the Americas
•Providing Access for Individuals to Higher Education
•Promoting Solidarity among Member States
•Innovating in Technology-Supported Education
•Working with Hundreds of Academic Partner Institutions
•Developing Human Potential for 50 Years and Counting