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)…

Several years ago, members of the Futures and Markets (FAM) Commission of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) realized that the commission was uniquely positioned to put a face on the future of continuing higher education. The commission took on an ambitious research agenda in fall 2010 to identify emerging or…

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…

The authors examine how the American economy has experienced sharp contractions in overall levels of output, income, and wealth resulting from the recent financial crisis, and how these losses have had an impact on the nation's labor market. The significance of these trends to American higher education is summarized in these terms: "Large labor…

This article reports findings from an empirical study of students' views of support in higher education. Findings from questionnaires and telephone interviews suggest that the characteristics and sources of support can be understood in relation to university and non-university led systems. Students identified non-university led support, for…

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…

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.…

Reviews existing collective bargaining relationships in higher education in the United Kingdom, examines pressures for change, identifies issues inhibiting reform of bargaining and pay structures, and considers the impact of inter-union relationships on change in bargaining practices. Focus is on trends since the 1992 restructuring of UK higher…

Changes that have taken place in British higher education are discussed, with focus on developments in the polytechnics, in teacher training, and in the emergence of new institutions of higher education. The emergence of the service tradition is traced and a new education theory for academic development is outlined. (Author/JMD)

This response to criticisms of open admissions programs in U.S. postsecondary education addresses the following issues: that there are not enough jobs for graduates; that enrollments will decline anyway; and that expanding access to education is a myth that promises social mobility but only maintains social inequalities. (JMD)

Trends in academic staffing in British higher education, especially in universities and polytechnics, are examined, along with major staffing issues facing employing authorities and academic staff in the short term. Implications for employee relations in a period of institutional change and resources constraint are considered. (MSE)

Discusses factors affecting higher education that will allow continuing education to assume a more central role: (1) aging of the student body, (2) changes in the work force, and (3) advocacy of economic development. Details the new role and provides guidelines for assessing program readiness to fulfill it. (CH)

The social and institutional factors affecting engineering and manufacturing trends in the two countries, and their educational implications, are analyzed. (MSE)

The economic development goals of 12 South Asian countries and the means used to meet them through higher education are examined. It is concluded that the trend has brought greater educational opportunities, growing university involvement with the world outside academe, and possible over-reliance on the Japanese model. (MSE)