Globalization is changing everything ... at least that's what most people think. The extent of truth attached to this statement however is open to contradiction. Meanwhile, statistics seem to paint a picture in support of the former.
The growing competitive ambiance, arising in the Asian Tigers, China and India is anticipating tougher times for some under funded and unilaterally developing British universities.
It is being debated that, should universities be allowed to continue to depend upon the tax payers money or should a free market university system be introduced?
The introduction of commercial institutions in the academic system will subsequently coerce them to raise standards and get rid off the sedentary ones as the number of home students is in constant decline and research content and international student recruitment is becoming fierce globally.
The development of *business facing universities* is a critical step in enhancing graduate level skills as they have been termed indispensable in the Leitch review 2006.
In the succeeding decade, it is expected that universities will be compelled to develop a watchdog like OFSTED which will monitor the progress of underachievers as they may prove to be a blot on Britain's competitiveness.
Academics argue, that research and teaching go together, however cultural change and experimentation will be inevitable and should be obligatorily adapted by all.
Whatever the decision be i.e either allowing universities to flourish in their respective fields without pressurizing them for overall success or developing cut throat competition in establishing free market universities, what concerns students like me is all this fair?
The conversion of education from an imaginative and critical developmental process to becoming a commercial commodity is not only unfair but also un progressive which makes one think that are moving forwards or back?
2 comments:
Higher education shall be free from restrictions or strict guidelines. It shall remain the top most priority of government fundings. The education defict brings the disaster, which is well known to under develpoed or developing countries like Pakistan.
The western world has progressed not due to their military muscles but the superior knowledge.
The universities nevertheless shall be able to generate their own funds, although not entirely through tution fees, which probably will not be possible as well.But this could be a good discussion in UK but while sitting in Pakistan I ponder the long distances we are falling behind.
A place in the world where basic amenities are still scarce, you are right in claiming that Pakistani Universities are far from being able to devise ways to fund themselves however if the academic infrastucture was ever to be changed, then this propsal should be an essential part of the debate.
However, it would be intresting if YOU could compare the two system but highlighting the strengths of developing countries in comparison to the western world.
I sometimes wonder, are there any?
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