Enormous enrollment growth has created substantial management problems for Dutch universities. Based on the idea that government research policy should stimulate, not weaken, university capabilities to improve their management, a system of research schools has been integrated into the higher education system to better concentrate teaching and…

In response to changing government philosophy concerning higher education, including increased institutional autonomy alongside greater pressure for accountability and internal renewal, Dutch universities have developed a system for external quality assessment under the aegis of the Association of Dutch Universities. Its evolution and results to…

A University of Leiden study on the potential use of quantitative, literature-based indicators as tools for monitoring research productivity and establishing research policy, based on the bibliographic productivity of two major faculties, is reported and discussed. (MSE)

A discussion of the use of performance indicators for evaluation and funding of higher education institutions by governments offers 10 lessons for governments and funding agencies, drawn from a study of the role played by performance indicators in the systems of Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. (MSE)

The Dutch quality improvement model in higher education has successfully maintained the delicate balance between internal improvement and external accountability, but the faculty's clear ownership of the system (as contrasted with government ownership in some nations) has made continuous quality improvement a dominant feature of the current Dutch…

Describes the system of external institutional evaluation in Netherlands universities, distinguishing between the organizations conducting the assessment itself and the follow-up. The primary assessing organization is a private one, funded and governed by the 14 universities, and uses discipline-based assessment teams. The follow-up assessment is…

Reports on a Dutch study examining qualitative aspects of internationalization in Dutch higher education institutions, and examines the ways Dutch institutions evaluate Dutch students' academic experiences abroad. Raises the question of whether existing systems meet stated standards for quality assurance. Makes some recommendations for…

First, the role of the association of universities in the Netherlands in external institutional evaluation is examined. Then, three basic tenets of program assessment are discussed: (1) university programs must be of academic quality; (2) program content must not be too compressed; and (3) programs should be challenging for students. (MSE)

The role of institutional budgeting strategies in promoting institutional change is examined, looking specifically at two budget components (general-purpose lump sums and earmarked funds). Experiences of the University of Utrecht (Netherlands) with internal competition for reduced funds as a means for stimulating change are discussed. (MSE)

The role of an economic development agency in promoting networking and communication among high-tech industries in one region of the Netherlands is described. (Author/MSE)

This paper investigates the role of the budget as an instrument for realizing strategic change and as an influencing factor on the behavior of university faculty within the decentralized educational environment of the Netherlands. It distinguishes between a base component (lump sum allocation) and a special-purpose component (earmarked allocation)…

The formal regulatory frameworks for higher education in four nations (Australia, Great Britain, Holland, and Sweden) who have recently enacted similar policies are described. Focus is on five areas: (1) higher education system design; (2) planning approaches; (3) funding; (4) outcomes assessment; and (5) government regulation of degrees,…

The organization of international educational exchange at the University of Limburg (Netherlands) is described, including both study abroad and programs for foreign students. It is concluded that, in recent years, a strongly decentralized organization has been most efficient and best at generating involvement of all levels and departments.…

This book presents 19 essays that examine the relative position of men and women in higher education in 17 countries. The focus is on women, particularly their changing position in higher education as students, faculty, and administrators. The book also provides a comparison of countries in an attempt to arrive at a low-level theoretical…

This report synthesizes experiences in a number of countries (United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Japan) on the market economy in higher education. Considered are market forces, various financial structures (institutional budgets, student funding, research infrastructure, other income, staffing), and implications for the future. (MSE)