GUWAHATI, Sept 20: Benchmarking is vital for enhancing the quality and
global comparability of higher education, as it fosters mobility, employability, and lifelong
learning. This was emphasized yesterday by Prof. A.K. Buragohain, Vice Chancellor of The
Assam Royal Global University (RGU), while addressing a nine-member delegation from
Bhutan on the topic “Global and Regional Perspectives of Higher Education Benchmarking.”
The Bhutanese delegation from JSW Law School is attending a nine-day training programme
on academic and administrative governance of higher educational institutions at RGU. The
programme, organized by RGU, commenced on September 13 and will conclude on
September 21, according to a Press release.
In addition to Prof. Alak Kumar Buragohain, the resource persons for this training
programme include Prof. Diganta Munshi, Registrar (Administration) and Director, IQAC,
RGU; Prof. Bhaben Tanti, Department of Botany, Gauhati University; and Mr. Tirthankar
Rakshit, Director Sales, Philips India Ltd, New Delhi.
The nine-member Bhutanese delegation comprises: Ms. Tshering Pelden, Deputy Chief
Quality Assurance Officer; Mr. Karma Choden, Faculty & Program Coordinator (LLB); Mr.
Kelden Jamtsho, Chief ICT; Mr. Geden, Senior Planning Officer; Mr. Nima Yoezer, Program
Officer; Ms. Lekshey Lhazeen Dorji, Assistant Research Officer; Ms. Sangay Choden,
Assistant Student Service Officer; Mr. Sonam Gyeltshen, Assistant Program Officer; and Ms.
Ugyen Sonam Choki, Assistant Program Officer.
During today’s session, Prof. Buragohain elaborated on different levels of global
benchmarking in higher education—national and institutional. He explained that
benchmarking is a systematic process to identify and compare best practices across academic,
administrative, and financial areas. Referring to system-level benchmarking undertaken by
OECD, UNESCO, and the World Bank, he said the ultimate aim is to improve quality,
effectiveness, and student outcomes.
He further highlighted the various forms of global benchmarking and the role of international
organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), UNESCO, and the World Bank in providing frameworks and encouraging
collaboration.
According to Prof. Buragohain, the Bologna Process and Dublin Descriptors offer robust
models for aligning degree structures and learning outcomes. He also underscored the
importance of the Washington Accord in ensuring international recognition of engineering
education, while remaining program-specific and complementary to licensure. Ongoing
benchmarking, he stressed, is crucial to fostering student mobility, enhancing employability,
and promoting lifelong learning.
IANS
