Explores entrepreneurialism in universities, stressing that when done right, it strengthens university collegiality, autonomy, and educational achievement. Discusses formation of an entrepreneurial narrative, a convincing story that depicts what progressive universities are like as they combine the new and old in a revised form of organization.…

A discussion of the relationship between the Scottish funding agency for higher education and universities focuses on expectations of the council for lay members of the governing bodies and the appropriateness of those expectations. Whether the state can continue to respect institutional autonomy while seeking greater accountability for public…

Pressure for innovation has brought universities and industry closer together. The nature of the relationship depends on the industry's ability to conduct its own research. In many countries, concern exists about the way in which research involvement may preempt universities' academic time and resources at the expense of basic research. (MSE)

The 1983 University Reform Act in Spain is examined, and its proposals for autonomy are analyzed in terms of the effect of the internationalization of Spanish universities. The reorganization of university teaching is seen as a possible impediment to internationalization of the teaching corps. (Author/MLW)

The evolution of the current relationship between state governments and institutions of higher education is chronicled, focusing on the oversight role taken on by the state in the interest of providing services and facilities for the public good. The place of student outcomes assessment in this relationship is examined. (MSE)

The quality assessment process for Australian universities is examined, including its impact on quality improvement, whether judging quality at the institutional level is too coarse a measure to give accurate results, some alternatives, and whether the whole institution approach may lead to greater external interference in institutional affairs.…

Finnish higher education has begun to develop decentralization of decision making together with evaluation and negotiation in higher education. This article notes the risk that economic recession will bring about renewed centralization before self-regulatory mechanisms are set in place. (Author/JDD)

An examination of trends in university-government relationships in Canada looks briefly at the situations in five provinces recently undergoing reviews of their higher education systems (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba), and details the circumstances in Ontario, which has the largest provincial system of higher…

Discussion of Scottish higher education looks at the university funding mechanism, issues in finding the balance between autonomy and accountability, institutional mission and legal position, and the larger context of European higher education. It is concluded that universities should relate their needs to specific missions in support of claims…

Discussion of fiscal management in the reformed higher education systems of Eastern/Central Europe begins with analysis of reform attempts in two British universities and relates them to Eastern and Central European issues. It is argued that institutions must adopt a holistic approach to managing change and for addressing various staff, structure,…

Examines issues in institutional autonomy of universities, including necessary limitations on autonomy and alternatives to government-controlled constraints. Notes five forces (competition, public opinion concerning educational quality, consumer power, the need to serve multiple constituencies, and multiple-source funding) that may exert…

The current state of student assessment in higher education in the United Kingdom is examined, particularly in light of the introduction of government-sponsored, standardized national vocational qualifications, marking a new stage of government intervention. A review of current practice finds confusion about what to assess, how to assess it, and…

The development of Dutch higher education legislation is reviewed including university admission, administration, the restructuring of university education, financing of students and proposals of a new planning system. The content of Dutch legislation is described in connection with the growing role of the government in higher education.…

Change in the financing of Danish higher education is traced, from item budgeting by the education ministry to a system of institutional block grants. While institutions gain autonomy in academic and resource allocation, they are required to abolish governing boards and place more responsibility on rectors and academic deans. This requires new…

In the context of rapid change in European higher education, particularly in the fiscal relationship between states and institutions and institutional demand for more autonomy, the situations of Sweden and Scotland are considered more closely. The paper concludes that the emerging search for nonstate funding and the handling of those revenues pose…