NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION

GUIDELINES FOR CROSS BORDER PROVISION OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA 1.0 DEFINITION

In the Nigerian context, Cross-border university education is defined as an educational service at university level provided within Nigeria’s national boundary by foreign educational institutions(s) singly or in partnership with local institution(s) through conventional, part time or e-learning modes for the purpose of awarding degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Cross-border university

education encompasses a wide

range of modalities that range from face-to face (taking various forms such as campuses abroad) to distance learning (using a range of technologies and including e-learning).

2.0 CHALLENGES Since the 1980s, cross-border higher education through student, academic staff, programme/institutional and professional mobility has grown considerably. delivery

modes

In parallel, new cross-border providers and

have

appeared,

such

as

campuses

abroad

(franchising), electronic delivery of higher education (e-learning) and other for-profit providers.

These new forms of cross-border higher

education offer increased opportunities for improving the skills and competencies of individual students and the quality of national higher education systems.

The existing Nigerian national framework for

quality assurance, accreditation and the recognition of qualifications does not take into special account cross-border university education. Thus, the increased cross-border mobility of students, academic staff, professionals, programmes and providers present challenges for NUC in its strive towards ensuring quality.

Some of these challenges

include: i)

National capacity for ensuring quality accreditation does not cover cross-border higher education. This increases the risk of students falling victim to misleading guidance and information and disreputable providers, leading to qualifications of limited validity.

ii)

The Nigerian system for the recognition of qualifications may have limited knowledge and experience in dealing with crossborder higher education. In some cases, the challenge becomes more complicated as cross-border higher education providers may deliver qualifications that are not of comparable quality to those which they offer in their home country.

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iii)

The increasing need to obtain national recognition of foreign qualifications has posed challenges to national recognition bodies. This in turn, at times, leads to administrative and legal problems for the individuals concerned.

iv)

The

professions

depend

on

trustworthy,

high-quality

qualifications. It is essential that users of professional services including employers have full confidence in the skills of qualified professionals.

3.0 PURPOSE

The Guidelines aim to provide a framework for quality provision in cross-border university education that responds to the abovementioned

challenges.

They

also

provide

a

scheme

of

application, registration/licensing, accreditation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes delivered in Nigeria through crossborder education.

4.0 SCOPE

These guidelines provide for cross-border university education to Nigeria by foreign providers.

It does not cover the export of

education to other countries by Nigerian institutions. guidelines provide for three options:

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The

Model 1 The TWINNING / ARTICULATION MODEL in which foreign universities (recognized and accredited by competent authorities in their home countries) and collaborate

an approved Nigerian university,

to offer courses, enrich curricular content and

pedagogy and / or

offer joint degrees or dual degrees and

articulation arrangement involving study on host and home campuses

may

be

acceptable/recognized

by

government

provided that under such arrangements, upon successful completion of an approved course of studies, students are awarded degrees of the Nigerian university. However, if the arrangement is such that the Nigerian students in the programme

will be awarded the degree of the foreign

university, then such students will be required to spend not less than two semesters or one academic year, on the overseas campus of the foreign university and this would form part of the graduation requirements;

Responsibility for QA shall be borne by both institutions and in any case, the programmes must meet the criteria stipulated in the Nigerian BMAS

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Model 2 The Branch Campus Model The Branch Campus Model in which a foreign university follows, the NUC standing procedure for the establishment of private universities, and establishes its campus anywhere in Nigeria. Programmes offered in the Nigerian branch campus should be a replica of [ or at least must be of comparable standards with ] those offered in the parent institution in the home country and must meet the standards and quality assurance requirements currently applicable to Nigerian Universities.

Model 3 The Open & Distance learning (ODL) Model The ODL mode refers to the provision of quality academic programmes and courses leading to the award of degrees, without the constraints of time and space. All programmes delivered by the mode must meet the academic standards set in the appropriate BMAS for the respective disciplines as well as the

standards and

aspects of ODL robust

performance criteria enunciated for all

operations,

learner

[especially

the

provision

of

a

support system within a mixed media,

blended learning framework] in the Guidelines for open & distance learning in Nigerian Universities. * *These guidelines do not cover programmes offered solely on-line ( e-learning).

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5.0 ELIGIBILITY The Nigerian Government shall grant approval to a cross-border arrangement between a Nigerian university and a foreign university for the award of diplomas and degrees provided that: i)

The home country of the foreign university shall have subsisting diplomatic relationship with Nigeria and bilateral agreement that covers the provision of education at university

level

including

mutual

recognition

of

degrees, diplomas and certificates. ii)

The foreign university shall be recognized by its home country for the purpose of offering degree, diploma and certificate programmes.

iii)

The programme(s) of the foreign university

shall be

recognized by the national (appropriate) quality assurance agency in its home country. iv)

The programme(s) of the foreign university shall be certified as meeting Nigeria’s priority area of manpower need

as

determined

by

the

National

Universities

Commission in consultation with appropriate agencies. v)

The partner university

in Nigeria shall be recognized

and duly licensed by the National Universities Commission

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for the purpose of offering degree, diploma and certificate programmes. vi)

The partner university in Nigeria shall provide the physical

infrastructure

for

the

take

off

of

the

programme[or in conjuction with the foreign university]. vii)

The foreign university shall provide learning support facilities for the students. The number and distribution of the facilities shall be in line with the minimum academic standards provision of the NUC.

viii)

The fee to be charged by the foreign university

shall be

commensurate with what is in existence in the host country and shall take due cognizance of the local economy. ix)

The foreign university shall provide thirty per cent (30%) of the academic staff for the intended programme while the host university provides the remaining seventy percent (70%)

and in line with NUC’s approved mix by

rank and ratios. x)

The curriculum of the foreign university’s programme shall meet the Nigerian MAS and provide for local content where appropriate.

xi)

The home country of the foreign university

must

subscribe to the principle of reciprocity with Nigeria in matters of cross-border education.

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6. 0 INCENTIVES

The Federal government of Nigeria shall provide appropriate incentives to cross border providers particularly institutions that establish branch campuses in Nigeria.

7. 0 APPLICATION The

appropriate

application

Forms,

Form

NUC/CBE-QAC);

NUC/SCOPU; or Form NUC/ ODL-QAC shall be obtained from the National Universities Commission on payment of a specified nonrefundable amount. The completed Forms shall be submitted to NUC with: i)

Evidence of subsisting diplomatic relationship with Nigeria;

ii)

Evidence of recognition of exporting institution by its home country;

iii)

Evidence of accreditation of programme(s) to be exported by the national (appropriate) accreditation agency in the exporting country;

iv)

Evidence

of

workshops,

facilities offices

and

(e.g

classrooms,

library)

in

the

laboratories, local

(host)

institution in Nigeria equivalent to the facilities available in the exporting institution;

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v)

Evidence of adequate staffing (in number and quality) in line with the NUC Minimum Academic Standards;

vi)

NUC approved Memorandum of Understanding between the exporting institution and the host institution.

8.0 PROCESSING A processing fee shall be paid by the exporting institution as determined by the National Universities Commission. The application will be processed by the NUC Cross-Border Education Quality Assurance Committee (CBE-QAC) . The Committee shall: •

Verify and authenticate claims in the application and supporting documents.

•

Conduct site visits to (host) institution in Nigeria at which curriculum is to be delivered.

•

Subject the application to security clearance.

•

Make recommendations to the NUC Board through Management and the University Development Committee of the Board.

•

Verify accreditation/recognition status of exporter institution from the foreign quality assurance agency.

The NUC Board shall recommend successful application to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education for approval.

The NUC shall issue operating license to a

successful applicant.

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9.0 POST-APPROVAL ACTIVITIES i)

The National Universities Commission shall conduct routine accreditation; monitoring and evaluation of programmes offered in licensed local institutions offering the off-shore degrees, diplomas and certificates and apply regulatory measures appropriately.

ii)

The National Universities Commission shall ensure that there

is

liaison

between

the

NUC

and

the

Quality

Assurance Agency(ies) of the provider’s country. iii)

Relevant professional bodies in the host countries must be involved in the regulation of professional training in all related programmes to be offered by the provider.

They

should participate in collaboration with the NUC in issues relating to quality assurance. iv)

Professional bodies shall ensure that all professional programmes offered by the provider are in line with the provisions and guidelines of the appropriate regulatory professional body.

v)

Student body such as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) shall be well-informed on the running of cross-border higher education to enable them become informed stakeholders.

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