Meeting the Challenges of Global Change: Planning for the Future of Education
The Fifth Global Change Strategic Management Seminar
Saint Andrews University, Saint Andrews Scotland, July 28-31, 1995
Sponsored by On the Horizon
In association with The University of Saint Andrews, Scotland
 The Fifth Global Change Strategic
Management Seminar is a response to the ongoing world-wide redefinement
of the roles and responsibilities for
education in an information age. The economic context and the allocation
of resources will surely change. Technological developments in
telecommunications and computers will transform the way we live and
work--and educate--in the 21st Century. Exactly what these differences will
be, and how they will evolve, is anybody's guess. One thing is certain:
the only way any educational organization will come out a winner is if it
is prepared (for changes in its clientele and market), imaginative (in
its repositioning strategy), and proactive (in its execution).
The purpose of this seminar is to provide educational leaders with the
tools they need to respond to these challenges:
- Strategic management--to ensure constant, continuous adaptation to
changing markets
- Scenario planning--to help develop strategies for an uncertain future
- Strategic vision--to give a sense of purpose, direction, and
motivation to the organization
- Scanning and monitoring--to provide the constant flow of intelligence
needed for strategic management.
A major focus of the seminar is on the development and use of scenario
planning. Scenarios reveal the flow process of an evolving future. They
are holistic, combining social, technological, economic, environmental,
and political trends and events. They focus our attention on the
branching points of the future, the potential contingencies and
discontinuities. By basing decisions on alternative futures, and by
testing planning actions against the different conditions these scenarios
present, we learn how to prepare for uncertainty and to ensure that our
decisions can deal with contingencies, even those deemed unthinkable. And
by having thought the unthinkable, we become better prepared to see the
opportunities as well as the threats in any situation.
Seminar effectiveness relies on an appropriate mix of formal
presentations, small group exercises, and professional exchanges among
the participants. All participants will receive a handbook describing and
illustrating strategic management, scenario planning, strategic vision,
and scanning/monitoring. In addition, they will receive a copy of each
briefing paper presented (see Call for Briefing Papers). Finally, seminar
participants will be mailed a copy of the proceedings and the
informational findings resulting from the seminar exercises.
Call for Briefing Papers
This is a call for briefing papers on two topics: (1) Challenges of
Global Change or (2) Planning Systems Designed to Meet the Challenges of
Global Changes. Each participant at registration will receive a copy of
all papers and the seminar handbook. To submit a briefing paper, send a
one-page abstract no later than 30 May 1995 to James L. Morrison.
Each briefing paper should be 5-10 pages, single-spaced. The deadline for
full text of the briefing paper is 30 June 1995.
Seminar Leaders
Seminar leaders are Ian Wilson, James L. Morrison and James R
MacCallum.
Ian Wilson of Wolf Enterprises, San Rafael, California, is an
internationally recognized authority on strategic management and
scenario-based planning. In the 1970s he established General ElectricÕs
pioneering corporate effort in futures studies, and was a public affairs
advisor to the CEO. In 1980 he joined SRI International for a 13-year
career as a senior management consultant working with senior executives
in companies around the world on long-term strategies. Ian is the author
of Corporate Environments of the Future: Planning for Major Change, The
Power of Strategic Vision, Rewriting the Corporate Social Charter, How
Companies Use Scenarios, and The Changing Face of Strategic
Management.
James L. Morrison, editor of On the Horizon, is professor of
education at
the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He teaches doctoral-level
courses in educational planning and management and serves as a consultant
with a variety of educational organizations and public agencies. He is
the author or coauthor of over 60 publications on futures research,
including: Futures Research and the Strategic Planning Process, Applying
Methods and Techniques of Futures Research, The Alternative Futures
Approach to Long-Range Planning, and Anticipatory Management: The
Handbook for Anticipating and Managing Issues. He has chaired or served
on the editorial boards of The Review of Higher Education, The Review of
Educational Research, and the American Educational Research
Journal. A
retired Army Reservist (Colonel, USAR, Civil Affairs), he received the
second highest award authorized for peacetime, the Legion of Merit Medal,
for his contributions to planning for the U.S. Army.
James R MacCallum, Vice-Principal and Professor of Polymer Chemistry,
University of Saint Andrews, is a native of Scotland. He was educated at
Dumfries Academy and Glasgow University, where he was awarded his Ph.D.
in 1961. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry and the Royal
Society of Edinburgh. He has held a selection of administrative posts
within the University including Master of United College of Saint
Salvator and Saint Leonard, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Advisor
of Studies, Faculty of Science.
Seminar Agenda Thursday, 27 July 1995 Afternoon
- Registration from 2:00-5:00
Evening
- Dinner 6:00
- Reception 7:30
Friday, 28 July
Morning
- Orientation (introductions, review of objectives/schedule, logistics,
etc.)
- The University of Saint Andrews: history, culture, and future challenges
- The future societal context for education: Strategic forces for change
- The nature and purpose of strategic management: lessons from corporate
experience
Afternoon
- Adapting the corporate model to the world of education
- Scenario planning: Dealing with an uncertain future
- Uncertainties in educationÕs future
- Developing scenarios: Review of the methodology
Evening
- Panel discussion on challenges of global change (summary/discussion
of prepared briefing papers)
Saturday, 29 July
Morning
- Developing scenarios of educationÕs future [based on selected
target(s)]Ñbuilding the scenarios' structure
- Fleshing out the scenarios (one scenario per group)
- Presentations by small groups
Afternoon
- Interpreting scenarios: Identifying issues, developing strategies
- Interpreting the scenarios
- Presentations by small groups
Evening
- Panel discussion on planning systems designed to meet the challenges
of global change (summary/discussion of prepared briefing papers)
Sunday, 30 July
Morning
- The power of strategic vision (what it is, why it is needed, how it
is developed, its benefits)
- Developing a strategic vision (for "target" institution[s])
- Presentations by small groups
Afternoon
- Time out to attend the Highland Games
Monday, 31 July
Morning
- Linking planning to action: The critical importance of implementation
- Strategic intelligence: The need for continuous scanning and monitoring
- Discussion of seminar results: "What I plan to implement/change on my
return"
Noon
The Cost
The registration fee includes a seminar handbook, all papers presented by
participants, skills-training sessions, seminar proceedings,
accommodation on campus in superior single study-bedrooms with private
bathroom facilities (twin rooms available for spouses), conference
refreshments, a reception, full board from tea on 27 July to lunch on 31
July, and VAT at 17.5% where applicable.
- Registration fee: $975
- Spouse (not attending sessions): 350
- Walking tour of Saint Andrews: 10
- Whisky tasting and ceilidh: 25
- Extra stay--Bed & Breakfast per day: (single) 55 (double) 80
To secure a place send a nonrefundable deposit of $175 to our office. The
balance is payable by 1 June 1995. [Note: accomodations for early
arrivial or to stay after the seminar are available; please contact our
office to make specific reservations.]
Refunds & Cancellations
Fees less $175 may be refunded on written application received prior to l
July 1995. No refunds are possible thereafter.
The Place
Saint Andrews, home of Scotland's oldest university (founded over 500
years ago), is a historic small town by the seaside, 50 miles north of
Edinburgh.
The seminar is being held at New Hall, the University of Saint Andrew's
newest conference and residence facility, built and furnished to superior
standards: all rooms have private bathrooms, telephone, and in-room
beverage facilities.
The town of Saint Andrews is famous throughout the world as the Home of
Golf. Your residence at New Hall is less than half a mile from the
world-famous Old Course.
The seminar's social activities include a reception on the first evening
and an optional evening walking tour of Saint Andrews and Scottish
ceilidh (traditional musical entertainment) with whisky tasting. Also we
will be taking time to witness the Highland Games, one of Scotland's
famed traditions for over a thousand years. The 1995 games will include
some of the great "Heavies" returning to Toss the Caber and Put the
Stone.
What they said about previous Global Change seminars
"The relaxed, laid back presentation, with consideration of all ideas,
opinions, and perspectives, was helpful for participants' learning."
"More than a great seminar, I walked away with an extremely useful handbook."
"Very good films and slides. Excellent added dimension."
"I enjoyed it, even though it made my brain hurt."
"I suddenly realized exactly how I needed to revise my institution's
strategic plan."
"I particularly liked the discussions, and found myself actively engaged."
"The high quality didnÕt surprise me, since I still think back with
pleasure on earlier meetings. I look forward to another opportunity to
share ideas and enthusiasms."
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