Structuring Mass Higher Education

<p>Undoubtedly the most important development in higher education in recent years has been the seemingly inexorable expansion of national systems. In a comparatively short time period many countries have moved from an elite to a mass model. Furthermore expansion has invariably changed the whole experience of higher education for all the interested parties from presidents rectors and vice-chancellors to first-term undergraduates.</p><p><em>Structuring Mass Higher Education</em> examines the impact of this change upon the existing national structures of higher education. It also defines and highlights what makes an ‘elite’ university – something which institutions must strive for in order to gain their position as global players. With case studies and contributions from a wide range of international authors the book explores questions such as:</p><ul> <p> </p> <li>Do higher education institutions retain a national significance even though the vestiges of an international reputation have long faded? </li> <p> </p> <li>Has expansion undermined the quality of higher education because governments sought to expand on the cheap? </li> <p> </p> <li>Is the elite institutional response to mass higher education perceived as a threat to be responded to with purposeful action that sustains their elite status? </li> <p> </p> <li>Does the emergence of the international league tables pose a challenge to those responsible for governing elite institutions?</li> </ul><p>These are critical issues with which both policy-makers and institutional leaders will have to grapple over the next ten years making <em>Structuring Mass Higher Education</em> a timely relevant and much needed text. It will appeal to policy makers and practitioners within higher education as well as student and scholars worldwide. </p>