In England, as in many other countries, selective universities have been under pressure to show there are no financial barriers for high-potential students from less-advantaged backgrounds. For much of the twentieth century, there was a similarly lively debate about how to open up Britain's prestigious independent boarding schools to a wider…

Although the cradle of university education is traced to Africa, modern university education in Africa emanated from European systems which set the tone for their replication on the continent through colonialism. For ideological and other reasons, African universities were subjected to significant violations of their institutional autonomy after…

To boost the social and economic outlook of the country, Turkey has recently initiated educational reform at all levels and especially higher education, including organizational restructuring and expansion for increased accessibility. The swift increase in the number and size of universities has resulted in a challenge to find trained faculty. One…

The doctrine of university autonomy in the UK contains a least two major "fault-lines" where the structure is inherently weak and there is danger of functional breakdown. The first occurs at the junction between the institution and the state, the second within the institution, where the unity in policy-making between academic and…

Examines evidence that higher education institutions in the United Kingdom are not discharging their responsibility for program quality and standards, and suggests that unless institutions act on these findings, they may find themselves sharing responsibility increasingly with external agencies and authorities. Evidence comes mainly from recent…

The growth of the Council for National Academic Awards' validating process as a means of monitoring and approving standards of courses in British polytechnics and colleges has been a significant educational development in recent decades. The nature of the agency-institution relationship, and its changes over time, are examined. (MSE)

The paper decries the present British government's treatment of higher education including such proposals as the elimination of tenure and replacement of block grants with a system of direct contract funding. Institutions of higher education are encouraged to present a compelling position based on educational principles and democratic access. (DB)

An educational planning exercise that increased centralization in Britain's public sector colleges in 1984-85 is described, and the issues it has raised about the relationship of government and institutions and the nature of educational policymaking are discussed. The responses of eight institutions to the changes are examined. (MSE)

The history of the university in British Commonwealth Africa and of the University of Zimbabwe since the country's independence in 1980 gives insight into why the institution is susceptible to outside political influence. Recent trends in policymaking at the national level are examined. (MSE)

The effects of budgetary constraints on British higher education are examined, especially as they affect institutional autonomy in resource allocation and staffing. The extent to which other European governments have similar problems and policies is discussed. (Author/MSE)

The consequences of planned and unplanned developments in higher education since 1968, such as the Open University, the Independent University, stagnation in student demand, and especially, the disintegration of the University Grants Committee system of financing in universities, are considered. (Author/JMD)

The variety of definitions given to "academic freedom" is discussed, and their relevance, applicability, and consequences for various groups and individuals and concerning teaching, learning, research, and publication are examined. (MSE)

This article examines the interplay between universities and governments, within the context of recent changes in the Australian higher education system. The Australian government is urged to fund institutions adequately and encourage diversity. Australian universities are urged to defend their autonomy and distinctive educational missions. (DB)

A former senior government education official traces the emergence of Britain's National Advisory Board for local authority in higher education and discusses political issues in the policy formation and resource allocation processes during its first few years. (MSE)