Improving performance through HEI–industry engagements in the built environment

The poor performance and inefficiencies of the construction industry are well recognized and documented. Through a variety of combined industry and government initiatives there has been a continual expression in the UK over the last decade of the urgent need to address the fragmented nature of the industry to improve its performance. A major challenge is for education and industry stakeholders to create closer and more effective relationships with each other to facilitate greater mutual understanding. ‘Accelerating Change in Built Environment Education’ (ACBEE) is a sponsored initiative designed to encourage the closer working together of industry, education and professional bodies to provide more relevant training and education. This paper introduces ACBEE, along with an evaluation framework for measuring the performance of engagements at various levels. This is followed by an analysis of the application of this performance measurement framework through case studies of industry–education engagement. A number of case studies were identified as operating at the grades of ‘strategic alliance’ and ‘partnership’ (as classified in the ACBEE evaluation framework). The analysis of these cases focuses on the drivers behind and the purpose of the engagement, and how these are aligned with the business strategy of the collaborating organizations and measurement of the activity. Evidence of meeting the explicit business needs and strategic objectives and the contribution to good practice knowledge are also discussed

Outcomes-based Funding and Responsibility Center Management: Combining the Best of State and Institutional Budget Models to Achieve Shared Goals

State governments serve as a key funding source for public higher education. An alternative to historically based state subsidies or enrollment-based formulas, outcomes-based funding allows states to convey goals for higher education by allocating state tax dollars based on measures of outcomes. Within higher education institutions, the Responsibility Center Management model engages deans and other mid-level managers in the responsibility and accountability for revenue generation as well as expense management. Policymakers will benefit from understanding this approach and how it could be used in concert with outcomes-based funding to support the development and delivery of new academic paradigms, expand access to underrepresented students, and, ultimately, increase educational attainment for a greater number of people. This article describes the potential alignment between incentives created by the Responsibility Center Management model and goals of outcomesbased funding. With an integration of the two models, there is a greater assurance of achieving the goals of both—fiscal sustainability and student success. By using Responsibility Center Management, college and university administrators are better able to marshal resources to help students complete their degrees and other credentials while also reaping the benefits of an outcomes-based funding system that directs public funding toward institutions that are doing just that

The Data Audit Framework: a toolkit to identify research assets and improve data management in research led institutions

Although vast quantities of data are being created within higher education, few institutions have formal strategies in place for curating these research outputs in the longterm. Moreover there appears to be a lack of awareness as to exactly what data are held and whether they are being managed. In response to these concerns the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) issued a call for proposals to develop and implement a Data Audit Framework suited to the needs of the UK higher education research communities. The Data Audit Framework (DAF) Development project was funded to produce an audit methodology, online toolkit, and a registry. Four additional implementation projects were funded to test the toolkit and promote its uptake. This paper outlines the audit methodology, introduces the online toolkit, and provides feedback on implementing the Data Audit Framework.

Working Paper 126 - China’s Trade and FDI in Africa

China’s growth and its capacity to move in thirty years from under-development and extreme poverty to an emerging global power and one of the largest exporter of manufactured goods has attracted the attention of many developing countries. China has served as a development model for Africa and an alternative source of trade and finance from Africa’s traditional development partners. The impact of China on African economies has been diverse, depending in part on the sectoral composition of each country’s production. Overall, China’s increased engagement with Africa could generate important gains for African economies. This paper analyzes the different impacts of China on Africa, quantifies the advantages and disadvantages, and policy suggestions necessary to maximize the development impact of China. One overriding consideration is that reaping the full benefits from Chinese trade and investment will require substantial improvements in governance in African economies.

Investing in the health of the 41-60 year old : reaping the return in the 60+ population?

Introduction: Ageing brings an increased burden on healthcare systems. In Malta cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality accounting for approximately 40% of all deaths. It is assumed that effective prevention strategies targeted at the middle-aged population would translate in better health outcomes in our elderly population. Aim: To investigate how lack of awareness of conditions such as high blood pressure and high blood glucose level in the 41-60-year age group could influence the health status of future generations of elderly in our population. Methodology: Two risk factors for cardiovascular disease namely raised blood pressure and raised blood glucose were identified for analysis: (i) The comparison of perception and measurement of the selected risk factors assessed in 2 cohorts aged 41-60 years at two different time points: (a) 1981/4 and (b) 2008/2010; (ii) The analysis of any changes in perception and measurement of these risk factors over time between the 1981/4 sample and a follow-up sample drawn from the first cohort 30 years later, now 60 plus years of age. Results: Awareness for hypertension has increased in the 41-60-year olds over the 30-year period. However, awareness for diabetes has decreased in the same cohorts. Awareness for both hypertension and diabetes has increased as the 41- 60-year olds reach 60+. Conclusion: Improved perception for hypertension and diabetes in the 60+ group is not matched with better control of the condition. Medical intervention in the 41-60-age group in the 2008/2010 sample has resulted in better control of blood pressure, but not of blood glucose. These results highlight the need for stepping up awareness and screening for these conditions especially in the 41-60 group coupled with better control.peer-reviewe

Richmond retail : open-air centers compete for luxury shoppers

Retail trade