Even before 2011's 9.1-magnitude earthquake and the devastating 15-meter tsunami that followed, Japan had been struggling with tremendous economic and demographic challenges that had forced significant changes to its tertiary education sector. In particular, these challenges had played a crucial role in the development of Japanese continuing…

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…

In the UK, and in many other countries, policy makers and funding bodies emphasise the importance of the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), as opposed to the HASS disciplines (humanities, arts and social sciences), in higher education. Yet an examination of the biographies of UK members of parliament (MPs)…

This article concerns the provision of for-profit higher education in the Republic of Ireland (RoI), particularly in Dublin. It briefly sketches the general development of university/college provision in the RoI and, more importantly, it describes certain aspects of the current state of play and makes a tentative prediction for the future--namely,…

There has been rapid growth in private higher education in most countries, including in Asia, during the last two-three decades. This growth, mostly motivated by profit, has had an effect on education and development in general and caused loss of equity--both social and economic, an increase in regional disparities, an erosion in quality, a change…

This article uses data from a series of reports by the Longer Term Strategy Group of Universities UK to outline key features of the developing market for higher education in the UK. The resulting empirical lessons about the behaviour of students and institutions are tested against the political drive for a freer domestic "market" for student…

Considers the implications of the British Government's recent strategy paper on higher education. Concludes that the government faced many difficult issues and could not achieve all the desired objectives. It is likely that British higher education will remain underfunded, with increasing problems of quality. (SLD)

The director of "The Futures Project: Policy for Higher Education in a Changing World" discusses the competitive environment of higher education, the emergence of new providers, and the effect of market forces on accountability and responsiveness. Addresses policies and institutional strategies for this new environment. (SK)

Explores what happens to knowledge in corporate universities operating as knowledge producers in a knowledge economy, asserting that current discussions about higher education forget that the university functions as a custodian of knowledge. Uses principles of the Enlightenment to show that the knowledge needed to maintain the knowledge system…

Asserts that the university is in the process of transformation and that interpretations of data intended to show the features of this reinvented university are not completely satisfactory. Suggests that previously published views may be too optimistic and hierarchical, and that an egalitarian if pluralistic university structure and…

Reviews the content of four well-established United Kingdom-based journals specializing in higher education over a five-year period, focusing on the particular nature of the four journals, what has been emphasized and what has been omitted in selecting articles to be published, and the current state of research and publication in higher education…

Discussion of the role of increasing flexibility in higher education systems notes both positive effects (such as improved equity, access, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness) but focuses on possible negative administrative, pedagogic, economic, and philosophical developments. Institutions are urged to embrace the benefits of modern technology…

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)

In recent years a fundamental change has occurred in research-degree education in the United Kingdom, with a reconceptualization of the doctorate as a training period for future researchers. This reform is examined both within the wider international trend toward greater centralized control of graduate education and, more narrowly, in terms of how…

A British national study of the university research enterprise in 1995-96 assessed the impact of a 1992 change in higher education policy to restructure the entire higher education system. The study investigated impact at the system, institution, unit, and individual levels, in the areas of research policy and strategy, structures, and processes.…