ABOUT SEAAIR

In early September 2000, an international group of senior academics from the region met at the International Medical University in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the possibility of forming a regional association for institutional research. The group decided the time was appropriate for the formation of such an organization and undertook (i) to become the Interim Management Committee (see attached list of members) for the organization and (ii) to organize a conference in late 2001 that would herald the birth of the organization and would attract participants from education, government and public service and industry. Dr Zoraini Abas, Director, Centre for Medical Education & Media, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur agreed to be the Chair of the Committee. It was decided that the inaugural conference would be held in Kuching and Professor Ken Heskin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology agreed to be Conference Chair. Delegates to the conference will automatically become members of SEAAIR and the SEAAIR Management Committee will be elected at the inaugural General Meeting to be held at the conference. At that point, the Interim Management Committee will cease to exist.

The major purposes of the South East Asian Association for Institutional Research shall be to benefit, assist and advance research leading to improved understanding, planning and operations of institutions of post-secondary education in the region. Research focused on a single institution and also research that is concerned with groups of Institutions shall both fall within these purposes. In keeping with the dynamic nature of institutions of post-secondary education and the rapidly changing global environment in which they operate, the Association will encourage the application of appropriate methodologies and techniques from many disciplines. It will encourage comparative research into national higher education systems in South East Asia. It will publish and exchange information with respect to institutions of post-secondary education with a view to illuminating current and developing issues of common concern and raising the standard of post-secondary educational management, planning and policy development at all levels. Its aims shall include:

¨ the advancement of research leading to improved understanding, planning, and operation of institutions of post-secondary education;

¨ the dissemination of information and interchange of ideas on problems of common interest in the field of institutional research;

¨ the continued professional development of individuals engaging in institutional research, institutional management and post-secondary planning and policy development;

¨ the fostering of unity and cooperation among persons having interests and activities related to institutional research, management, policy and planning;

¨ the advancement of post-secondary education and the improvement of the quality of post-secondary educational outcomes.