Implementation of a partnership between a Finnish & a Mexican Institute : a higher education perspective
Lopez Alatorre, Emiliano (2021)
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021060714740
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021060714740
Tiivistelmä
This study was done because the Mexican education sector is an important market for TAMK Edu, the extension courses department of TAMK (Tampere University of Applied Sciences). However, making cooperation or partnership between TAMK Edu with Mexican higher education institutions (HEIs) has been difficult in the past years; this has been due to funding complex issues within the Mexican education sector, many HEIs lack the funding for ‘Extracurricular activities’, TAMK Edu’s services fall under these types of funds. Furthermore, Mexico’s Higher Education Act does not comprehensively determine the relationship between educational institutions and public authorities. In addition, Mexico’s complex higher education system that lacks a well-defined legal division of responsibilities is mirrored in a complex funding system for HEIs.
Part of the study was done to understand the market; The author made a PESTLE and SWOT analysis of the Mexican education sector (including the education sector’s environment and the financial mechanisms of government and HEIs). The study was also made to understand how to make a partnership between TAMK Edu and Mexican HEIs. Most of the study was carried out using secondary data from experts, with some primary data (interviews and empirical research). Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. This type of partnership is different from others. Therefore, the theoretical framework includes data from marketing, internationalisation of HEIs, and finance: entry methods such as strategic alliances and cooperation between companies, the internationalisation of HEIs, which discusses cooperation between HEIs, Knowledge transfer activities and education export. Furthermore, it discusses financial mechanisms and funding instruments since they are all interdependent to make this type of partnership successful.
The findings conclude that the partnerships between TAMK Edu and the Mexican HEIs are possible, especially when acknowledging that outside participants such as competitors, other organisations, or governmental institutions involved in the education industry are as important as the targeted HEIs. Also, funding instruments facilitate cooperation with all types of HEIs. However, only specific funding instruments can benefit the partnership.
Part of the study was done to understand the market; The author made a PESTLE and SWOT analysis of the Mexican education sector (including the education sector’s environment and the financial mechanisms of government and HEIs). The study was also made to understand how to make a partnership between TAMK Edu and Mexican HEIs. Most of the study was carried out using secondary data from experts, with some primary data (interviews and empirical research). Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. This type of partnership is different from others. Therefore, the theoretical framework includes data from marketing, internationalisation of HEIs, and finance: entry methods such as strategic alliances and cooperation between companies, the internationalisation of HEIs, which discusses cooperation between HEIs, Knowledge transfer activities and education export. Furthermore, it discusses financial mechanisms and funding instruments since they are all interdependent to make this type of partnership successful.
The findings conclude that the partnerships between TAMK Edu and the Mexican HEIs are possible, especially when acknowledging that outside participants such as competitors, other organisations, or governmental institutions involved in the education industry are as important as the targeted HEIs. Also, funding instruments facilitate cooperation with all types of HEIs. However, only specific funding instruments can benefit the partnership.