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…

Does the present level of public unhappiness with the conduct of governance offer an opportunity to revisit the quality of public policy making and the pernicious role of ideology? In this article I argue that there are some strong parallels between academic enquiry and public policy making, and that a better understanding of the former could lead…

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…

Within the broad context of its National Human Resource Development Strategy (2001) the South African government has implemented two pieces of legislation, namely the Skills Development Act (Act 97 of 1998), an attempt to boost the nation's productivity by increasing skills levels in the workplace, and the Skills Development Levies Act (Act 9 of…

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)

Examines the assumptions and recommendations of a British government background paper on teaching and the teaching profession, particularly as it relates to college teaching. The paper's methods are found flawed and the proposals actively damaging, encouraging the government to pursue policies that provide superficial and unstable remedies. (MSE)

Examines the organization of contract research in the United Kingdom and the current system's benefits and problems for employers, employees, and sponsors, as well as policy initiatives. Concludes that the current system is deeply flawed and policy has failed to address the real issues. Fundamental changes are recommended. (Author/MSE)

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…

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.…

Seven plans for financing higher education's expansion in the United Kingdom are described, analyzed, and compared, particularly as each addresses three issues: student loan program design; tuition; and student loan repayment. Criteria for evaluating the plans include efficiency, equity, and implications for stability of public spending. The…

Responses of 600 higher education experts in seven Western European countries to a survey concerning government influence on higher education, currently and in the future, were analyzed to assess how different approaches to government role would affect higher education policy. It is concluded that different approaches would effect very different…

A former senior government education official traces the emergence of Britain's National Advisory Board for local authority in higher education and discusses political issues in the policy formation and resource allocation processes during its first few years. (MSE)

The recent, experimental enrollment planning and resource allocation efforts of Britain's National Advisory Board are analyzed and some potential problems for institutions posed by them are discussed. (MSE)

Current American concern for educational quality is discussed. The roots of quality problems are found in early American educational history and what is seen as a continuing emphasis on education as training. (MSE)

A rationale for developing national systems of postsecondary education in developing nations is outlined, and models for public policy, legislation, governance, and institutional administration are presented. (MSE)