Mongolia: Higher Education Reform Project

Education / Tertiary

Quality and relevance of higher education programs improved

Effectiveness of HEIs' management and financing improved

Access to higher education improved.

The accreditation of 20 programs are being done by the National Center for Education Accreditation (NCEA). An official approval of an accreditation of 11 programs (_Zoo-engineering_, _Agronomy_, _Environmental protection technology_, and _Commodity and raw materials research and technology_ programs of MULS; _Information technology_, and _Electronics engineering_ programs of NUM; _Sewing technology_, _Architecture_, _Industrial ecology_, and _Nutrition_ programs of MUST; and _Teacher, primary education_ of MSUE) was made in January and June of 2018, respectively. The remaining 9 programs are being reviewed by field experts and waiting for hearings at their respective Field committees.

- So far 7 programs have been accredited internationally: (i) the General medicine program of Mongolian National University of Medical Science (MNUMS); (ii) the Geodesy program of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST); (iii) the Software Engineering (and Information Technology as a cluster) of National University of Mongolia (NUM); (iv) the Telecommunications Engineering Technology (and Wireless Communications Engineering Technology as a cluster) of MUST; (v) Mechanical Engineering program of Mongolian University of Life Science (MULS).

- The twinning program between the Accreditation Agency for Degree Programs in Engineering, Informatics, the Natural Sciences and Mathematics of Federal Republic of Germany (ASIIN) and the NCEA, are progressing with good results. Under the Twinning program, the guidelines and manuals for institutional, program and initial accreditation were developed in May 2017. The new criteria and procedures for institutional, program and initial accreditation were approved by Governing Board of the NCEA in June 2018 after piloting the use of these newly developed criteria and procedures successfully at selected 6 HEIs. In total, 492 (of which 359/72.9% female) experts of professional council, school faculty members and administration attended the ASIIN supported workshops and trainings on new standards, procedures and internal quality assurance.

- The project provided the following grants through the competitive selection process: (i) 13 partnership grants to 104 researchers from 6 higher education institutes (HEI) with aim to promote Industry and HEIs partnership; (ii) 3 grants for the joint research and capacity building partnership with foreign universities; (iii) 17 institutional development grants to 143 researchers from 6 public and 2 private HEIs; (iv) 60 research grants to 312 teachers and students from 12 HEIs to strengthen a research capacity at the HEIs; (iv) 117 grants to support students' initiatives.

- The project supported improving the teaching and learning environment at schools: (i) the office furniture and equipment were supplied to 7 rural HEIs in 2014; (ii) minor renovation was done at 8 HEIs; (iii) lab equipment were supplied to 6 HEIs; (iv) distance education equipment were supplied to 5 HEIs in 2016; (v) 6 software applications were supplied to Mechanical and Transportation School of MUST and the distance learning center at MNUE; and (vi) laboratory equipment and tools were supplied to 2 rural HEIs in 2018.

- The MECSS signed a cooperation agreement with MUST for implementation of CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) standards in telecommunication, textile and industrial automation technology programs on 3 August 2016. The first stage is completed on 31 January 2018 and the final wrap-up meeting was held on 16 March 2018 for representatives of MECSS, ADB, HEIs, trade associations and employers. In this first stage a total of 160 faculty members of three Universities, MUST, NUM, MULS became direct beneficiaries from the training and seminars organized together with Singapore Polytechnic Institute; and around 2000 teachers of 96 public and private HEIs are trained on CDIO standards and methodologies. The Advancing CDIO phase has commenced in April 2018, which aims to advance the application of CDIO Teaching and Learning framework with a strong focus on edu-tech applications, multi-disciplinary projects, and faculty capability to sustain CDIO initiatives. The CDIO capacity development activities for teachers of 6 Universities (MUST, NUM, MULS, MNUE, MNDU, MSUAC) are planned in this stage. teachers (29 or 58% are female).

- The Labor Market study, Employers Satisfaction survey and Graduates Tracer study were conducted at selected 6 HEIs (the NUM, the MNUE, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Etugen University, Shine Anagaah Medical School, Gurvan Erdene Institute) in 2016 using the methodology developed by the IRIM consulting firm. In accordance with program accreditation procedures set by NCEA, all HEIs are now obligated to conduct the Employers Satisfaction survey and Graduates Tracer study by using findings of nation-wide Labor Market Study for quality assurance of their training programs. IRIM LLC conducted a series of training for HEIs from September 2017 to March 2018 to disseminate the methodologies.

- Opening of five distance education centers was held by MECSS on 24 January 2018. The e-learning consultants have completed situation analysis of the distance education centers, research field visits to rural centers, and recommended on suitable form and organization of distance education. An e-learning platform called _e-learning.edu.mn_ is being developed to be used by these centers as their own e-learning environment. The Minister's decree on direction and coordination of activities of the distance education centers for 2018-2020 was issued on 22 August 2018.

- The Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) is being developed by a team of six consultants since January 2018. As of 31 August 2018, the progress is assessed as 41%. It is expected that the HEMIS will be completed by the planned date on 1 July 2019.

- The _Student enrollment in higher education_ study analysis report and policy recommendation for gender equality in enrollment policies of Mongolian universities were completed by the Gender working group and accepted by MECSS on 20 March 2018.