Describes the formidable problems confronting sub-Saharan universities such as increased enrollment, fiscal challenges, quality issues, and rising graduate unemployment, and how private universities are increasingly seen as an alternative. Examines the challenges and opportunities facing these private universities. (EV)

Examines trends in university architecture through history and the current Spanish model, asserting that good architecture produces a good university. Discusses function, culture, and character as they relate to university education and architecture. (EV)

Examines higher education reform in Estonia since 1988, discussing how over a few years "university education" was replaced by a much broader "postsecondary education." Explores related legislative reform, discussing its implications for higher education funding, content of studies, and governance. Suggests that recent reforms…

Focusing on the Netherlands, Belgium/Flanders, and Germany, explores whether higher education policies of European Union (EU) member states are converging, diverging, or not changing at all, and whether such developments are a consequence of the policies of the EU or of other factors (e.g., the globalization of the market or of institutions…

An analysis of the language of instruction in Hong Kong universities found a mismatch between espoused theory/policy and theory in use with respect to English as the medium of instruction, English as a second language, and improvement of English standards. Student comments suggested that the discrepancies lead to declining standards because of…

A survey of Australian academics at four types of higher education institutions found that while there is a high degree of homogeneity, academics at pre-1987 universities are better qualified, have appreciably better publication records, spend more time on research and writing, and show more interest in research than academics in post-1987…

Examines policy issues surrounding the accommodation of increased Israeli demand for higher education, comparing the country with Canada, which has also been considering whether to permit private higher education institutions. Concludes that academic colleges in Israel have been successful in absorbing a huge increase in enrollment, while…

Analyzes the contrast between the two main paradigms of higher education internationalization: competition and cooperation. Addresses related questions about the role and position of continental European higher education compared to that of some Anglo-Saxon countries that are leading in the global higher education market. (EV)

Examines government higher education policy and Japanese higher education reform in the globalization and post-massification eras. Explores the effects of market mechanisms on Japanese higher education policy, the kinds of phenomena that have emerged in this period, and the impact of the government policy shift on Japanese higher education. (EV)

Uses definitions of responsive, rigid, and resilient institutions to assess how higher education has responded to four major challenges: access, financing, management, and teaching. (EV)

Discusses how the relationship between governments and higher education has been changing in Europe over the last few decades, with governments using an array of market and market-like mechanisms instead of traditional regulation mechanisms. Suggests that despite the changes, institutional autonomy is still facing significant government…

Asserts that designing public policies that effectively balance the competitive needs of the university sector with the public interest is a complex issue, and presents a general framework for analyzing these regulatory policy issues. Illustrates the framework with policies from Europe and the United States. (EV)

Describes the course-credit system in the United States, the standard means of measuring academic work. Discusses how the system is a means of measuring the time spent on study and not the quality of work; since the 19th century, the course-credit system has been the major "currency" in American higher education and has proven quite…

Outlines changes in higher education participation in Northern Ireland and considers effects of devolution in the United Kingdom. Draws on research conducted on participation and migration of students and graduates. Changes in student numbers are considered based on social class, religion, and gender; the analysis distinguishes between different…

Discusses higher education reform in central and eastern Europe, including changing relationships between higher education and the state, financing, staffing, quality assurance, content of studies, and institutional mission. Concludes that the gap between official reform discourse and realities of higher education threatens the existence of public…