Higher Education in Regional and City Development: Southern Arizona, United States 2011

Description

Southern Arizona is a major gateway for trade with Mexico. Its economic engine, the Tucson metropolitan area has developed into a hub of light-based industries, but ranks near the bottom third of US cities in per capita income. State funding for education is in decline, accentuated by the economic crisis, and the public good of tertiary education is under threat. In a time of financial stringency, how can the University of Arizona and community colleges preserve their existing strengths and address the needs of the diverse population? How can the region and its tertiary education institutions fuel local growth and create high quality jobs and new businesses? How can the institutions prepare for the post-crisis economy and help diversify the economy?  Read more... Acronyms -- Assessment and recommendations -- Chapter 1. National and regional context -- 1.1 Geography and population -- 1.2 Regional economy -- 1.3 Tertiary education in the United States -- 1.4 Tertiary educational attainment in Arizona -- 1.5 Tertiary education institutions in Southern Arizona -- 1.6 Governance and funding of tertiary education in Arizona -- 1.7 Contribution of tertiary education to the regional development -- References -- Annex 1.A1 PISA 2009 results -- Chapter 2. Contribution of tertiary education to human capital development -- Introduction -- 2.1 Widening access -- 2.2 Improving the balance between labour market supply and demand -- 2.3 Lifelong learning and distance education -- 2.4 Strategic co-ordination of the regional human capital system -- 2.5 Elaborating a financially sustainable expansion model -- Conclusions and recommendations -- References -- Chapter 3. Contribution of tertiary education institutions to regional innovation -- Introduction -- 3.1 Policy framework and regional actors in the US and Southern Arizona -- 3.2 Southern Arizona -- moving towards a high wage economy -- 3.3 Responding to regional needs and demands -- Conclusions and recommendations -- Chapter 4. Social, cultural and environmental development -- 4.1. Environmental sustainability and "green" industries -- 4.2 Demographic change and ethnic diversity -- Conclusions and recommendations -- References -- Annex 4.A1 Victoria University access and success programme -- Chapter 5. Capacity building for regional co-operation -- Introduction -- 5.1 Maintaining the region's attractiveness -- 5.2 Challenges -- 5.3 Supporting regional innovation and capacity building for regional cooperation -- 5.4. A way forward -- References -- Annex A. OECD review team -- Annex B. Programme of the review visit.