The Eighth International Conference on World-Class Universities was held in October 2019. The conference theme was “World-Class Universities: Global Trends and Institutional Models”.
The theme of this volume is embedded in the context of an ever-changing and complex world. Changes are taking place constantly in social, economic, cultural and political spheres, such as technological transformation, backlash against globalization and emerging forces of nationalism in various parts of the world, as well as increasing inequality and disparity of wealth, economic and social opportunities. These challenges impact global, national and institutional higher education practices and induce mounting pressure on World-Class Universities to respond effectively to the ferocity of social change.
World-Class Universities, commonly recognized as global research universities or flagship universities, are essential in developing a nation’s potential in the knowledge economy and in seeking conceptual and practical solutions to daunting challenges. This volume sheds light on World-Class Universities’ challenges, opportunities, roles and strategies in response to the changing landscape of higher education and our society as a whole. It is composed of two parts: “Global Trends” and “Institutional Models”.
Nian Cai Liu, Ph.D. (1992), Queen’s University at Kingston, Canada, is Professor and the Director of the Center for World-Class Universities and the Dean of Graduate School of Education at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Yan Wu, M.Phil. (2003), East China Normal University, China, is Assistant Professor at the Center for World-Class Universities and the Graduate School of Education at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Qi Wang, Ph.D. (2008), University of Bath, UK, is Assistant Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and research fellow at the Center for International Higher Education, Boston College.
Acknowledgements
List of Figures and Tables
Notes on Contributors
1 World-Class Universities: Global Trends and Institutional Models
Nian Cai Liu, Yan Wu and Qi Wang
PART 1: Global Trends
2 Globalizing as World-Class Universities’ Special Function or Unique Mission
Lin Tian and Nian Cai Liu
3 The Global Science System and National Science Systems
Simon Marginson
4 Do Rankings Promote Academic Excellence? Redefining World-Class Universities
Jamil Salmi
5 World-Class Universities’ Search for Quality, Reputation or Prestige?
Luiz Cláudio Costa
6 Accelerating Asian Systems of Higher Education: Moving from Middle to High Income
Gerard A. Postiglione and Brajesh Panth
7 World-Class University Policies and Rankings in Transition: A Comparative Study of the People’s Republic of China and Japan
Akiyoshi Yonezawa and Futao Huang
PART 2: Institutional Models
8 The Future of Chinese Universities: Pathways and Strategies
Zhongqin Lin
9 Providing Access to Excellence: A Roadmap for World-Class Universities
Kim A. Wilcox and Christine A. Victorino
10 Global, Innovative, and Open for Business: The American Research University
Eric W. Kaler
11 A New Model for Graduate and Professional Education: The McDonnell International Scholars Academy 193 Mark S. Wrighton
12 Recreating French Excellence: Sorbonne University, the University of Paris and the French Ecosystem of Higher Education and Research 193 Christine Clerici, Jean Chambaz and Sebastian Stride
Students and academics in the field of higher education generally, and policy makers and informed practitioners.