About Us
The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) is an international network of national and regional associations of colleges as well as individual colleges.
WFCP provides leadership in delivering workforce education for our global economy and is also a key way for Colleges to link with other key stakeholders in the Skills landscape such as Employers, Sector Skills Councils, Industry, Government, Funding agencies etc to help emphasise our position in the Skills ‘ecosystem’.
Members share leading-edge education strategies and best practices to increase workforce employability in countries around the world.
The WFCP is a unified voice enabling members to:
- Promote their contributions to their communities
- Influence collectively the development of policy
- Access information and experience and learn from each other
- Share best practice
- Join WFCP online community
- Promote partnerships to improve staff and student mobility
- Develop partnerships to deliver international contracts
- Organize World Congresses to enable knowledge exchange
WFCP recognizes with gratitude the corporate support of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).
Vision Statement
WFCP’s Vision Statement: To be the Principal International Network for Colleges, Institutes and Polytechnics.
The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) is a member-based organization which brings together colleges, polytechnics, university colleges and institutes of professional education from all continents. Members are typically national and regional associations of institutions of applied higher education, individual institutions, NGOs or organizations representing the sector. WFCP is led by the country’s representative body of colleges, institutes or polytechnics.
The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP):
- Is a forum for members to learn from each other and to share ideas and information;
- Is an international voice representing 37 members worldwide ;
- Advocates on behalf of colleges, polytechnics and similar institutions by raising awareness of their contribution to human resources development;
- Promotes linkages with the international business community.
WFCP’s mission is based on the fundamental principles for which every member should stand:
- Students success and access to education are the members’ core principles
- Respect of divergent opinion and freedom from political interference.
- Colleges, Institutes and Polytechnics are dedicated to the well-development of individuals, communities and nations, and foster international cooperation
- Colleges, institutes and polytechnics education reinforce citizenship
- Colleges, institutes and polytechnics provide students with knowledge and competencies required to work, innovate and fully integrate society
- Ecological conscience and respect for future generations
The overall goals of WFCP are to:
- be the international voice of colleges, institutes and polytechnics
- link its Members, offering them quality services, networking and collective action.
- advocate for colleges, institutes and polytechnics in public debate and to outside partners.
- provide a platform for its members to learn from each other and work on collaborative projects
- foster linkages between employers and colleges, institutes and polytechnics
These complementary goals are pursued through collective action, including conferences and meetings, information services, policy discussion, research and publications.
By encouraging Members to work together, WFCP
- Facilitates the exchange of experience and learning and fosters cooperation;
- Defends the core academic values and principles of colleges, institutes and polytechnics worldwide
- Upholds and contributes to the development of a long-term vision for colleges and polytechnics
- Enhance and advertise the role and responsibilities of colleges, institute and polytechnics in society, worldwide;
- Voices the concerns for colleges, institutes and polytechnics with regard to policies of international bodies such as UNESCO, the World Bank and others;
- Contributes to a better understanding of current trends and policy developments through analysis, research and debate;
- Facilitates students and faculty exchanges
- Provides comprehensive and authoritative information on higher education systems, institutions and qualifications worldwide.
History of WFCP
The history of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) dates back to 1998. At that time the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), now known as Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), engaged in many international projects around the world. ACCC acknowledged that various educational organizations from different parts of the world faced similar issues and challenges and shared common approaches. This gave ACCC a strong impulse to initiate a world federation to allow those organizations to share practices and experiences, learn from each other and create valuable networks. It was also envisioned that a united world federation would be better positioned to advocate globally for its members in areas that would promote technical education, workforce development and economic development for its respective countries.
With that vision in mind, ACCC convened the 1st World Congress in 1999. It was held in Quebec City as part of the annual ACCC conference, and its core agenda was to “test” the notion of a World Federation. Nearly 2000 participants attended from around the world. ACCC presented the vision and proceeded with workshops and presentations to fine tune the vision. After the Quebec Congress, there was overwhelming support to create the WFCP.
The founding members of WFCP are:
- Colleges and Institutes Canada, formerly known as Association of Canadian Community Colleges
- Association of Colleges, United Kingdom
- American Association of Community Colleges, United States
- TAFE Directors Australia
- Commonwealth Association of Polytechnics in Africa
Until 2002 the federation operated as an informal network. In 2002, the federation formed as a formal association with its constitution accepted by members at the 2nd World Congress held in Melbourne, Australia. Since its inception, the Federation’s membership has grown as it continues to offer members a forum to exchange best practices and promote professional and technical education and training across the globe.
The World Congress is the hallmark of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics. Every 1-2 years education professionals gather in a member country to hear the latest trends, best practices and network with their peers in the professional and technical education and training field. Each Congress program is informed by the Federation’s Affinity Groups and a theme relevant at the time. Awards of Excellence, which seek to distinguish WFCP member institutions and individuals whose exceptional initiatives are strengthening applied learning and research outcomes, are announced at each Congress.