The university in the 21st century

GK Challenges, Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership, Missions & Responsibilities

The University is one of the greatest inventions of the second millennium (Rhodes, 1998). Europe can be particularly proud of this, given that the University is first and foremost a European institution which — while keeping its essential characteristics — has since spread worldwide (Rüegg, 1992). Universities have shown themselves …

A business model for the 21st century european university

GK Challenges, Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership

“The world is moving in the American direction. More universities in more countries are charging students tuition fees,” says The Economist (2015). Of course, there is more to the American university model than merely tuition. Many of us have benefitted from the opportunities of great American research universities. Some of …

Converging paths- public and private research universities

GK Challenges, Chapters and other contributions, Financial Resources, Governance and leadership

The American research university has been celebrated as “the greatest system of knowledge production and higher learning that the world has ever known” (Cole, 2009). As measured by any number of factors — international rankings, Nobel Laureates, publications in peer review journals, or impact on industrial innovation —

The social and political responsibilities of research universities

GK Challenges, Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership, Missions & Responsibilities

This paper attempts to come up with possible answers to the question:“What do universities consider to be their most important prioritiesand responsibilities in 1) addressing the challenges facing their institutions; and 2) expectations arising from their societies at the local, regional or global level?” Specifically, I wish to address some …

A Research University for both Academic Excellence and Responsibility for a sustainable future – does the Swedish model work?

LW Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership, Missions & Responsibilities

Sweden has for a long time been spared from armed conflicts and major disruptive social problems. During the past decades, we have gone from a homogeneous state to an increasingly diverse and diverged country. In an international comparison, Sweden looks in many ways like a very attractive country to live …

The Strategic Repositioning of Research Universities to fulfil their Global Promise

LW Challenges, Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership

The relevance of universities has become a theme of public debate, reflecting the anxiety and excitement surrounding changing forces in the larger context of globalization, as well as widespread concern with regard to basic economic and societal well-being. Despite a whirlwind of change and transformation, universities have been stable, resilient …

The Impact of Technology on Discovery and Learning

LW Challenges, Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership

Today, our world has entered a period of rapid and profound economic, social and political transformation driven by knowledge and innovation. Educated people, the knowledge they produce and the innovation and entrepreneurial skills they possess have become the keys to economic prosperity, public health, national security and social well-being. It …

Challenges in Establishing a Top Research University

LW Challenges, Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership

The historical development of research universities and their roles in society has been articulated in many articles and documents. Since their inception, distinguished research universities have generated leaders in virtually every field and created scientific and technological advances that have affected the welfare and well-being of humanity. Top research universities …

Higher Education Model for Large Developing Economies

LW Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership, Missions & Responsibilities

Education is the key to socio-economic development and character building. Higher education plays an important role in knowledge and wealth creation. Historically, one can find a good correlation between the spread and quality of higher education and the economic development of a nation. Scientific, social and economic developments in developed …

International STEM Education for Global Sustainability

GK Challenges, Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership, Teaching & Learning

On a daily basis, people around the world face challenges that result from us all, together on our small planet, approaching the carrying capacity of our environment. The sustainability of humanity is determined by our ability to keep in balance the three pillars of society — our environment, and our …

Action is what counts. Sustainability at ETH Zurich and EPFL

GK Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership, Missions & Responsibilities

Tackling the challenges of sustainable development requires critical thinking, innovative technologies and an open dialogue between science, industry, and society. As Swiss-based universities that are consistently high in the leading international university rankings, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) …

Sustaining World Class Universities: Who Pays and How

GK Chapters and other contributions, Financial Resources, Governance and leadership

Higher education is now unarguably a global activity. In a digitally connected world, where capital and labour flow increasingly freely without hindrance from national boundaries, universities are no less subject to the forces of globalization than any other part of service sector economy. Universities from all over the world  

Regional Engagement and Sustainability: University of Aveiro in Portugal

GK Chapters and other contributions, Governance and leadership, Missions & Responsibilities, Research & Innovation

In the framework of the demographic evolution foreseen up to 2050, major issues related to  sustainability include: food, natural resources (water in particular) and energy. These “grand societal challenges” affect all aspects of our lives and are not contained within geographical borders or specific scientific disciplines.