Building Communities of Practice for Enhanced

Research-Policy Interface:Linking Knowledge from

International Development Projects

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004

Overview of Presentation

• Provide overview of AUCC • Highlight AUCC international policy priorities and scope

of Canadian universities’ international engagement • Explore AUCC value-added in enhancing the research-

policy interface around key international issues• Discuss specific lessons learned from the UPCD

Program related to i) policy relevance and ii) virtual networks

• Highlight future opportunities

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004

Overview of AUCC

• National non-governmental association

• 93 member institutions represented by university presidents

• Public policy and advocacy organization

• Three main branches: National Affairs, Program Development and International Affairs

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004

International Affairs Branch

• Policy development and advocacy

• Research on national trends related to Canadian universities’ international engagement

• Communications

• Knowledge/information clearing house

• Program Management

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004

Key International Policy Priorities• Create strong foundations for maintaining and

enhancing Canada’s place in the world• Maximize benefits for Canada from the global

knowledge-based society• Increase developing countries’ capacity to

benefit from a global knowledge-based society – Key challenge is to better leverage the capacity,

networks and expertise at Canadian universities to serve international priorities and inform policy development

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004

Scope of Canadian Universities’ International Engagement

• In 2003, there were just under 3000 active international exchange agreements at Canadian universities with partners around the world in a range of key disciplines

• Since the 1970s, Canadian universities have been involved in more than 2400 international development projects

- roughly a third each taking place in Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean- education and teacher training is top sector but Canadian universities have broad experience and expertise in the range of ODA priorities

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004

Leveraging Canada’s knowledge capacity

• AUCC value-added in enhancing the research-policy interface – A platform for bringing together university

networks and policy-makers in policy discussions

– Repository of knowledge on Canadian universities’ international engagement

– Knowledge mobilization – Research communications

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004

Linking Knowledge from International Development Projects

• Lessons learned from the University Partnerships for Cooperation and Development Program (UPCD)

- “Results study” and preliminary findings related to research and policy relevance in developing countries

- Virtual Network (Impact Plus)• Useful tool but not a substitute for face-to-face contact• Takes time to build trust• Comfort of academics with format• Need to strike a balance as moderator• Better if focused on specific question or issue

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004

Future Opportunities

• International Policy Review – Articulate strategic vision to capture the

contribution of Canadian universities to enhancing Canada’s role in the world

• Canada Corps – Articulate strategic contribution of Canadian

universities to strengthening key public institutions necessary for good governance

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada March 30, 2004