Curriculum reform and pedagogical capacity building were two key areas of focus within the SPHEIR portfolio and were central to the higher education reforms implemented by several SPHEIR partnerships.
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the approaches adopted by five SPHEIR projects to promote these two linked areas of reform and draws out how five particular aspects of curriculum and pedagogical reform were reflected in each of these projects:
- Employer and stakeholder engagement
- Internal or external quality assurance to inform, review or approve courses, degree programmes, institutional or pedagogical practices
- Development of gender responsive curriculum and teaching
- Formal recognition of QA or pedagogical training or practice
- Attention to non-academic skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communications or other 21st century skills
Drawing on the learning generated within the programme, the paper highlights lessons for the sustainability of these reforms and for designing future large-scale development assistance programmes for higher education that may involve transformation of curriculum or pedagogy.