Kuch Bhi
Changing Structures of the Higher Education Systems: The Increasing Complexity of Underlying Forces
Ulrich Teichler
Centre for Research on Higher Education and Work
University of Kassel, Germany teichler@hochschulforschung.uni-kassel.de 1 Introduction
Structures of higher education systems or more precisely, the shape and the size of the national higher education systems, have been among the issues of higher education policy in the economically advanced countries of the world which absorbed enormous attention since more than four decades. They obviously are at the crossroad of external expectations and internal dynamics of higher education, and they are shaped by legitimate influences and interests of the society at large, the governments in their steering and supervisory roles, the institutions of higher education and their staff as well as the learners. And they are of interest for all actors and observers, because they note a long-term trend of expansion of higher education accompanied by a continuous debate about its desirability and a perennial instability or dynamic of the structures whereby extent of homogeneity or diversity is constantly on the move through changes of the overall structure as well as through re-positioning of the individual institutions on the overall ‘map’ of higher education.
Over the years, however, first, the emphasis placed on issues of the shape and size of the higher education system varied substantially. Moreover, we observe considerable changes of views and controversies about the most desirable quantitative and structural developments. Finally, perceptions underwent continuous revisions as regards the driving forces affecting the patterns of the higher education systems.
The aim of this contribution is, first, after a brief overview of the key elements of shape and size, to sketch the major developmental trends. Second, an overview is provided of key concepts explaining the structural dynamics. Third, special
Ulrich Teichler
Centre for Research on Higher Education and Work
University of Kassel, Germany teichler@hochschulforschung.uni-kassel.de 1 Introduction
Structures of higher education systems or more precisely, the shape and the size of the national higher education systems, have been among the issues of higher education policy in the economically advanced countries of the world which absorbed enormous attention since more than four decades. They obviously are at the crossroad of external expectations and internal dynamics of higher education, and they are shaped by legitimate influences and interests of the society at large, the governments in their steering and supervisory roles, the institutions of higher education and their staff as well as the learners. And they are of interest for all actors and observers, because they note a long-term trend of expansion of higher education accompanied by a continuous debate about its desirability and a perennial instability or dynamic of the structures whereby extent of homogeneity or diversity is constantly on the move through changes of the overall structure as well as through re-positioning of the individual institutions on the overall ‘map’ of higher education.
Over the years, however, first, the emphasis placed on issues of the shape and size of the higher education system varied substantially. Moreover, we observe considerable changes of views and controversies about the most desirable quantitative and structural developments. Finally, perceptions underwent continuous revisions as regards the driving forces affecting the patterns of the higher education systems.
The aim of this contribution is, first, after a brief overview of the key elements of shape and size, to sketch the major developmental trends. Second, an overview is provided of key concepts explaining the structural dynamics. Third, special