Whereas the impact of globalization on politics, economy, society and culture are well-studied and well-researched, it is difficult to visualize and conceptualize the changes occurring at the powerknowledge realm. The book is an attempt to look beyond the traditional concept of a university to be able to grasp not only the drastic changes taking place at higher education systems worldwide but it also traces the causes and consequences of the same. Earlier the universities acted as the handmaids of the nation state but today they are required to promote global ethos transcending cultural and linguistic differences beyond the nation state. Today the focus is more on outputs, performances and public accountability rather than on inputs, academic freedom and solidarity. The author delves deeper into the very idea of university, latest trends, issues at stake, rise of private and non-state stakeholders, role of technology, emphasis on vocational skills, status of higher education in India, etc. She makes a precaution against some of the underpinnings behind the de-contextualization and de-territorialization moves by the economic and political hegemons in the name of higher education reforms.
Asha Gupta, Director at the Directorate of Hindi Medium Implementation, University of Delhi, has been a former principal of Bharati College. She has been a recipient of a gold medal, two silver medals, National Merit Scholarship, Shastri Indo-Canadian, Norwegian and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Research Fellowship. She is a political economist by training with keen interests in research on higher education in India and abroad. Dr. Gupta has been a UGC Career Awardee in Humanities and the Convener of IPSA RC 44 on Military Rule and Democratization. She has been associated with many national and international bodies, such as, International Studies Association and World Federation of Mental Health. Her books include: Beyond Privatization: A Global Perspective; Changing Perspectives of the Welfare State: the Issue of Privatization; Towards Privatization: Lessons From The UK, East Germany and India; Socialism in Theory and Practice: Narendra Deva's Contribution; Military Rule and Democratization (edited) and Private Higher Education: Global Trends and Indian Perspectives (co-Edited). She is a PROPHE Affiliate and Salzburg Seminar alumni.
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Emerging Trends in Higher Education
Shifts in Paradigm / 1, From Globalism to Globalization / 4, The Rise of For-profit / 9, The Crisis in Higher Education / 11, Higher Education at the Crossroad / 14, The Challenges Ahead / 17, Universities: Reproductive or Transformative? / 21
2. The Idea of a University: Then and Now
Rise in the Importance of Higher Education / 27, From Ancient Civilization to Post-modern Era / 29, Knowledge for the Sake of Knowledge / 31, Intellectual Virtues / 34, University as a Community / 35, From University to Multiversity, 37, Social Responsibility of the Universities / 47, Finding a Place Under the Global World / 48
3. Issues at Stake
The Context / 52, Globalization versus Internationalization / 54, Academic Freedom versus Accountability / 57, Equity versus Accessibility / 64, 'Brain Drain' versus 'Brain Gain' / 69, Universities versus Multiversities / 71, Consumers versus Citizens / 74, Western versus Non-western Paradigm / 77
4.Whither Higher Education in India?
The Current Scenario / 79, The Legacy / 82, From Ancient Civilization to a Hub of Outsourcing / 83, The Structure Defined / 85, Self-financing Colleges / 89, Deemed to be University / 93, Surge in Private Higher Education / 95, Shifting the Burden on the Household / 98, The Inherent Contradictions / 101, Under Utilization or Under Performance? / 104, Gender Gaps in Higher Education / 107, Lack of National Vision or Direction / 108, Limited Role of Educational Consultants / 113, Highly Politicized / 115, Status of Research in India / 117, Judicialization of Higher Education / 119, Some Recommendations / 125
5. Can Privatization Help?
Shifts in Paradigm / 129, What is Privatization? / 134, The Case for Privatization / 138, Forms of Privatization / 139, The Case Against Privatization / 149, Why Privatization? / 154, How 'Private' is Privatization? / 162, Impediments to Privatization / 164
6. Private Initiatives in Higher Education
Paradigm Shifts in Public-private Divide / 169, International Trends / 179, The Indian Scenario / 188, Issues at Stake/ 196, Blurring of the Public-private Divides / 203, Alternative to Public or Private Colleges:
The Community Colleges / 204
7. Vocationalization of Higher Education
Neo-liberalism and Vocationalization / 211, The Legacy / 216, The Big Debate / 220, Why Vocational Education and Training? / 223, Emerging Trends / 227, Bridging the Gap / 232, Future of Vocationalization / 235
8. Role of Technology in Higher Education
Enabling Role of Technology / 239, General Education and Information Technology / 245, Impact of Technology on Learning / 247, Is ICT Responsible for Internationalization of Higher Education? / 249, Does Technology in Education Enhance the Digital Divide? / 256, Towards Non-spatial and Asynchronous Learning / 261
9. Looking Beyond Universities
Universities at the Crossroad / 264, Universities as Catalysts / 267, Commercialization of Higher Education / 271, Anytime Anywhere Education / 274, Valuing Everyday Learning / 277, Ethics of Outside Funding / 283, Future of Universities and Universities in Future / 285
Bibliography and References