Benchmarking Governance as a Tool for Promoting Change: 100 Universities in MENA paving the way
Benchmarking Governance as a Tool for Promoting Change 1 0 0 U N I V E R S I T I E S I N M E N A PAV I N G T H E W AY
In the current context of demand for a new and different mix of skills in an evolving, increasingly globalized Labor Market, the role of universities is becoming critical. They must now function ever more effectively in order to supply a talent pool of well-trained professionals that emergent and knowledge-based economies need. In response to demands from a number of MENA countries currently engaged in governance reforms, a World Bank team in collaboration with the Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI), carried out a university governance benchmarking exercise, which profiled 100 universities in seven countries using a University Governance Screening Card (UGSC). This new tool as well as the results it has already generated, have laid the foundation for future systematic monitoring of university performance. They constitute a significant contribution to the regional goals of improving accountability in service delivery and of building capacity for evidence-based policy making. Perhaps most importantly, the UGSC has allowed seven countries of the Region to learn together, through the sharing of good practices, in a supportive environment with a new spirit of openness. Inger Andersen Vice President, Middle East and North Africa Region
cmimarseille.org/ highereducation
worldbank.org/mena
1313877
June 2013