scholarly journals Transforming finnish higher education: institutional mergers and conflicting academic identities

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jani Ursin

<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"> </p><p class="RESUMENCURSIVA">As in many other European countries also Finnish higher education system has witnessed several reforms over the past decade many of which originate in efforts to make more competitive and affordable higher education system. The aim of this paper is to describe the changes and institutional mergers in particular that have taken place in Finnish higher education and explore what kind of academic identities are constructed amid changes in Finnish higher education. The paper shows that the mergers followed the objectives set by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture for the structural development of the higher education system and that the creation of a joint culture for merged institutions was important yet challenging. The paper also argues that due to these external changes in Finnish higher education there is a tendency to move from a traditional notion of an academic toward more hybrid and dynamic understanding of what it is being an academic in the 21st century.</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p>

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorin Gog

Abstract This paper focuses on the recent neo-liberal transformation in the Romanian education system and analyzes the genealogy of a new form of academic governance that has been implemented in higher education institutions in the past decade. It examines the role quality indicators and supplementary funding have played in the gradual embedding and naturalization of neo-liberal disciplinary reforms in universities and the specific quality enhancement policies that aimed at increasing the productivity of academic workers by stimulating the competition among them. The main argument of the paper is that in order to understand the extensive academic management based on scientometrics and recurrent evaluation of academics we need to look at the structural mechanisms that have shaped higher education institutions in accordance with market rules and at the generalization of competitiveness throughout the system in the context of budget cuts and decreasing resources allocated to education.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikola Baketa

Abstract: The higher education system of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia displayed three specific characteristics – a) non-integrated universities, b) absence of a federal ministry of education since the 1970s, and b) self-managed Communities of Interest as the decision-maker in the higher education system. Therefore, there was no direct connection between the universities and economic planning. The author considers this to be one of the causes of high unemployment of graduates and brain drain towards Croatia and Serbia. Twenty years after the dissolution of the SFRY, the universities are still not integrated, there aren’t any connections with the market, and the same problems prevail. This paper focuses on the flagship universities from Croatia and Serbia. The author uses the historical institutionalism framework, document analysis and the process tracing method in order to explain and connect these issues. As a conclusion, the author offers three solutions for the reorganization of non-integrated universities.


2008 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 131-144
Author(s):  
Saad Elzalitni

AbstractOver the past few decades the Higher Education system in Libya has witnessed a rapid growth in student numbers and a massive expansion in its programmes and services. Despite the contribution of Higher Education provision in the development and progress of Libyan society, the large increase in the number of Higher Education institutions has considerably exceeded the actual needs and demands of the country. Past and present studies highlight several shortcomings and limitations that significantly impede the overall performance and operation of the Higher Education system in Libya. This study supports the need for a comprehensive and critical evaluation of Higher Education provision in order to understand better its current status and role in modern Libyan society.


Author(s):  
Dennis McCornac

There is no doubt that the Vietnamese higher education system is in need of serious reform. Corruption is epidemic, and actions must be taken to change the environment in which these practices flourish. The recent decision by the Ministry of Education and Training to adopt new, stricter measures on national exams and the increased media attention on corruption are steps in the right direction. If Vietnam desires to obtain an international standard educational system, required reforms are necessary from all parties. Perhaps, most importantly, there must be a monumental change in the attitude and thinking by students, faculty, and parents. Education is a right and privilege that is earned, not a commodity to be sold by administrators and faculty.


Antiquity ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (283) ◽  
pp. 137-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don Henson

Contrary to popular opinion, there is no national curriculum in schools in the United Kingdom. Instead, there are four separate curricula for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. These cover education in state-funded schools between the ages of 5 and 16. The curricula in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, whose school and university systems share the same basic framework, are structured in similar ways, use similar jargon and are statutory (they lay down the minimum that has to be taught). The Scottish school and higher education system, however, has always been distinctive. The curriculum in Scotland is structured along very different lines and takes the form of non-statutory guidelines. Differences between the curricula may well increase in future since education is part of the responsibilities being transferred to the new devolved parliament/assemblies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.


Author(s):  
Nikhila Deep Bhagwat ◽  
Hemant Rajguru

This chapter gives an overview of Indian Higher Education system with special reference to Open and Distance Learning. It enlists the merits and limitations of Open and Distance Learning system. It also focuses on complexities and weaknesses of Indian Higher Education comparing it with the educational policies in other Asian Countries. The chapter describes the limitations of Higher Education System in India and discusses the reforms and restructuring announced by the ministry of education in India. It further unfolds the success story of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University's ‘School of Agricultural Sciences' by explaining in detail the innovative practices in Agricultural ODL.


Author(s):  
Olga Nezhyva

The author considers the peculiarities of formation and development of the education system in Sweden. The author also shows the main factors which had a great importance in the promotion of democratic education and ways to improve it. At the same time the author analyzes peculiarities of modern development strategy of the Swedish education system, taking into account today’s democratization. Also this country has a medieval history not only of its establishment or development of their culture, but also education, which has come a long way of the recovery. It should be noted that the structure of the Swedish system more rapidly developed as a pluralistic, complex and fragmented, with its own dynamics and mechanisms that ensure homogenization / divergence and cooperation / competition. The system includes a remarkable number of institutions of varying size, profile and traditions that are now competing. All Swedish universities are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. The exception is the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Thus, universities and university colleges are in direct contact with the relevant ministry. Of course, this led to the fact that Sweden is called as one of educated countries and this country has the best educational model. For the reason that the higher education system has undergone fundamental changes over the past thirty years. The emphasis has shifted from national planning for greater independence and self-responsibility for the institutions. Former collegiate structure in the organs of decision makers in higher education have been transformed into a managerial structure.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Hoffman ◽  
Jussi Välimaa ◽  
Taina Saarinen ◽  
Minna Söderqvist ◽  
Mika Raunio ◽  
...  

This participative inquiry critiques recent management trends in the Finnish higher education system. The six authors, presently working in three Finnish universities, focus on strategic internationalization policy to highlight the argument. Global trends in internationalization are introduced, followed by an experienced-based meta-analysis, drawing on several recent studies by the authors. This analysis points to significant challenges and blind spots that exist- well hidden- alongside the Finnish higher education system’s best features. The increasing use of ICT-based management routines are called into question with respect to higher education practices, capacity and linked societal challenges. The analysis indicates these challenges remain unengaged- even obscured by- the rapidly proliferating number of ICT-based university management systems. Although none of the authors are specialists in Philosophy or ethics, the interpretive-level findings presented by this interdisciplinary group of scholars illuminates ways forward for the emerging field of specialists focused on ICT-based network-related ethics.


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