Universities that focus on urban research should exploit the advantage of their location by matching their curricular strengths to the needs of their respective communities. This article describes how Public Sector Programs (PSP) at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) developed extensive graduate degree and certificate programs in…

This article first draws together a range of published statistics to analyse trends in participation in higher education in the UK over recent years. That provides evidence of the shifting profile in the student population and sets a context for examining emerging evidence of the impact of recent government policy decisions on control of student…

Extant between 2004 and 2011, Aimhigher was the UK government's flagship national initiative for widening participation to higher education for young people from disadvantaged social groups, with costs approaching 1 billion British Pounds. Its demise was predicated on a perceived lack of progress and the absence of compelling evaluative research.…

There has been much debate on the concept of student as customer/consumer in higher education but little empirical research, most of which lacks a solid theoretical framework. This article summarises the key arguments in the literature and their shortcomings, proposes a framework to analyse student perceptions and behaviour, and reports research…

This essay is a contribution to the literature of critique of higher education policy and management. It offers a general discussion of problems arising from the proliferation of mechanisms of audit and quality assurance within the context of concerns about dependence on quantitative measures of values. It argues that uncritical dependence on…

In November 2010, the British Government, modifying one of the proposals in the Browne Report published in October, decided to allow English universities to charge tuition fees of up to 9,000 British Pounds, while removing almost all the public funding previously provided in the form of a block grant. This had consequences the Government should…

To boost the social and economic outlook of the country, Turkey has recently initiated educational reform at all levels and especially higher education, including organizational restructuring and expansion for increased accessibility. The swift increase in the number and size of universities has resulted in a challenge to find trained faculty. One…

The doctrine of university autonomy in the UK contains a least two major "fault-lines" where the structure is inherently weak and there is danger of functional breakdown. The first occurs at the junction between the institution and the state, the second within the institution, where the unity in policy-making between academic and…

This article presents an interview with Mary Bitterman and James Narduzzi. Mary Bitterman, former President and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation, is President of The Bernard Osher Foundation and Immediate Past Chairman of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). James Narduzzi is Dean of the University of Richmond's School of Continuing Studies.…

Higher education institutions are confronted with increasing demand for electronic access to educational opportunities, improved academic quality and accountability, and new academic programs that address societal workforce and economic development needs. Collaboration allows institutions to combine resources to respond efficiently and effectively…

In light of recent policy debate concerning higher education financing in Britain, reprints this article proposing a graduate tax, with a new introduction. Discusses main arguments in favor of the tax (it would eliminate the subsidy of the meritocratic elite, provide more funds for education, be a more efficient and egalitarian form of finance,…

Recognizing that lifelong learning is broader than continuing education, providers must move to organizational and community models of learning and seek private and philanthropic funding sources for lifelong learning programs. Continuing education professionals should adopt a new orientation to their professional role. (SK)

Discusses the following trends in British higher education: funding changes, University for Industry, widening access, and revitalization of liberal adult education. Addresses the prospects for an extended role for higher education in lifelong learning and continuing education. (SK)

The Canadian Opportunities Strategy, the portion of the Canadian minister of finance's 1998 budget speech devoted to the government's plan for a "knowledge society," is analyzed. The budgetary context in which the strategy was outlined is reviewed, and the strategy itself of the government's investment plan for research and improved access to…

Argues for the comprehensive revision of funding relationships and mechanisms in British higher education, based on the principle of entitlement to lifetime learning. Outlines and discusses the concept of a Learning Bank to manage funding equitably, create a credit-based system of learning, provide flexibility through individual "learning…