Higher Education in the 21st Century

Question 1

The educational challenges of globalization (Hernes, 2006)

Answer 1

○ reducing inequalities, poverty, marginalization and exclusion;
○ establishing better links between education and the local economy,
○ preventing the growing role of market-driven research and education from widening the technology and knowledge gaps
○ ensuring that the research requirements of developing countries receive the necessary attention
○ reducing negative impacts of the brain drain
○ addressing the impact of market principles and the changing role of the state on education and their bearing on the planning and management of education;
○ using the education system to preserve variety and the richness of world heritage – languages, artistic expressions, lifestyles

Question 2

The educational challenges of the growing role of knowledge (Hernes, 2006)

Answer 2

○ reducing the widening digital divide between rich and poor nations,
○ making access to learning and educational resources via the Internet more equal among countries,
○ increasing the number and proportion of people with a capacity to access and transmit the new knowledge being created,
○ increasing the number and proportion of people who can apply and advance knowledge
○ preventing poor countries from becoming mere spectators and passive recipients of innovations developed in the industrialized world
○ matching the expanding possibilities for new applications of knowledge with ethical reflection and restraint;
○ fostering economic and technological transformations that at the same time are compatible with sustainable development and human fulfilment.

Question 3

World Declaration on Higher Education (UNESCO, 1998) summed up the changes in the roles of universities.

Answer 3

§ higher education should be equally accessible to all,
§ be linked in a seamless educational system starting from childhood,
§ provide for lifelong learning,
§ be relevant to society,
§ use diverse educational models,
§ provide for essential staff development,
§ ensure quality,
§ be student-centred,
§ ensure women’s participation and
§ embrace the potential of Information Technology (IT) and networking.

Question 4

Agents of change (D’Antoni, 2006)

Answer 4

• Globalization
• Connectivity and the impact of the Internet
• Digital divide
• Commodification of knowledge
• Lifelong learning and flexibility

Question 5

Challenges (D’Antoni, 2006)

Answer 5

• Improve quality, increase access, reduce costs
• Modularization of education through use of learning objects
• Changing role of the faculty/teacher
• Need for e-learning skills
• Supporting e-learning

Question 6

Opportunities (D’Antoni, 2006)

Answer 6

• Growth of virtual universities and partnerships
• Blended learning
• Open Source and Open Courseware movement
• Growth of local study centres and telecentres
• Move to a student-centred pedagogy