המועצה להשכלה גבוהה

Overview

The Council for Higher Education (CHE), known in Hebrew as המועצה להשכלה גבוהה, is the statutory body responsible for overseeing and regulating higher education in Israel. Established in 1958 under the Council for Higher Education Law, the CHE operates as an independent, apolitical institution tasked with setting national policy, accrediting institutions, and ensuring the quality of academic programs across the country. Its mission is to foster a robust, equitable, and globally competitive higher education system that serves the diverse needs of Israeli society.

History and Legal Framework

The CHE was founded pursuant to the Council for Higher Education Law, 1958, with the aim of creating a public, independent body that would mediate between the government and academic institutions, thereby safeguarding academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The law defines the authority, composition, and operational methods of the CHE, ensuring its role as the central authority in higher education matters in Israel .

Mission, Vision, and Objectives in Higher Education

The CHE's mission is to serve as the official national authority on all issues related to higher education in Israel. Its primary objectives include:

• Formulating and implementing national policies for higher education.
• Granting permits to institutions to operate and recognizing them as higher education institutions.
• Authorizing recognized institutions to grant academic degrees.
• Establishing standards for academic programs and ensuring their quality through accreditation processes.
• Promoting research and development in higher education.
• Enhancing the internationalization of Israeli higher education.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

The CHE operates as an independent statutory corporation, with its governance structure designed to ensure autonomy from political influence. The Minister of Education serves as the ex officio chairman, while the majority of its members are academics, reflecting the CHE's commitment to academic governance. This structure enables the CHE to function as a professional body that upholds the principles of academic freedom and institutional independence .

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

The CHE is the sole body authorized to accredit higher education institutions and programs in Israel. It grants permits to institutions to operate and recognizes them as higher education institutions. Additionally, the CHE authorizes recognized institutions to grant academic degrees. The accreditation process involves rigorous evaluations to ensure that institutions meet established standards of academic quality and institutional effectiveness .

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The CHE actively promotes the internationalization of Israeli higher education through various initiatives. It collaborates with international organizations and participates in global networks to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Israeli institutions. The CHE's efforts include promoting English language proficiency among students, encouraging international research collaborations, and facilitating student exchanges and apprenticeships abroad .

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

Looking ahead, the CHE aims to further strengthen the Israeli higher education system by implementing policies that promote innovation, inclusivity, and global engagement. Its strategic priorities include expanding access to higher education, improving the quality of teaching and research, and enhancing the international visibility of Israeli institutions. Through these efforts, the CHE seeks to ensure that Israeli higher education continues to meet the evolving needs of students and society at large.

Summary

The Council for Higher Education of Israel plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of higher education in the country. Through its independent governance, comprehensive accreditation processes, and commitment to international collaboration, the CHE ensures that Israeli higher education institutions maintain high standards of quality and relevance. Its ongoing initiatives aim to foster an inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive higher education system that serves the diverse needs of Israeli society.

FAQs

• What is the Council for Higher Education of Israel?

  The Council for Higher Education of Israel is the statutory body responsible for overseeing and regulating higher education in Israel, including policy formulation, accreditation, and quality assurance.

• When was the CHE established?

  The CHE was established in 1958 under the Council for Higher Education Law.

• What are the main functions of the CHE?

  The CHE's main functions include formulating national policies for higher education, granting permits to institutions to operate, accrediting academic programs, and promoting research and development in higher education.

• Who governs the CHE?

  The CHE operates as an independent statutory corporation. The Minister of Education serves as the ex officio chairman, and the majority of its members are academics, ensuring academic governance.

• How does the CHE ensure the quality of higher education?

  The CHE ensures quality through a rigorous accreditation process that evaluates institutions and programs against established standards of academic excellence and institutional effectiveness.

• Does the CHE promote international cooperation?

  Yes, the CHE actively promotes the internationalization of Israeli higher education by collaborating with international organizations, facilitating student exchanges, and encouraging global research partnerships.

Organization Name

המועצה להשכלה גבוהה

The Council for Higher Education

Acronym

CHE

Year of Establishment

1958

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

PO Box 4037
Jerusalem
91040 Jerusalem Israel

Phone

+972 (2) 567 9911

Fax

+972 (2) 567 9955

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

The Council for Higher Education's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

The Council for Higher Education's X page

LinkedIn

The Council for Higher Education's LinkedIn profile

YouTube

The Council for Higher Education's YouTube channel

Instagram

The Council for Higher Education's Instagram page

Wikipedia Article

The Council for Higher Education's Wikipedia article

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