The World of Higher Education

Join Alex Usher on the World of Higher Education podcast as he revisits 'The Great Brain Race' with author Ben Wildavsky. They explore the book's thesis on globalization in higher education, the trends of student and faculty mobility, and the phenomena of global university rankings and branch campuses. They also discuss the current status of the 'global war for talent' and the impact of global rankings and for-profit universities on education. Tune in for an engaging conversation on the progress and challenges in global higher education over the past 15 years.👉 Episode Links:Book: The Great Brain Race: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691154558/the-great-brain-race?srsltid=AfmBOooVGQuGET4pvQvsZx390U99bfIqMaDT0lLTDVDsmUdYdUmd1uu_HESA’s AI-CADEMY: Canada Summit for Post-Secondary Education: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/HESAaicademy/home

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher is joined by Javier Botero, a lead consultant at the World Bank and former Vice Minister of Higher Education in Colombia. They delve into the overlooked but significant developments in Colombia's higher education system under President Gustavo Petro. Topics include the implementation of free tuition, student assistance programs, challenges faced by private and state institutions, and specific cases such as the financial crisis and protests at the University of Antioquia. Javier provides insights into the financial constraints, political hurdles, and future prospects for higher education policies in Colombia.👉 Episode Links:The World of Higher Education Podcast | Season 1, Episode 14: Colombian Higher Education: https://worlded.transistor.fm/episodes/1-14-colombian-higher-educationHESA’s AI-CADEMY: Canada Summit for Post-Secondary Education: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/HESAaicademy/home

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher sits down with Michael Shattock to discuss the complexities of university governance across Europe. The discussion covers the fundamental differences between the British, French Napoleonic, and German Humboldtian models, and their practical impacts on the relationship between universities and the state. Michael Shattock provides insights from his book, 'The Governance of European Higher Education: Convergence or Divergence,' co-authored with Aniko Horvath and Jürgen Enders, highlighting the ongoing divergence in governance approaches despite pushes for convergence. The episode also delves into the role of students in governance and the varying degrees of state involvement in higher education across different European countries.👉 Episode Links:Book: The Governance of European Higher Education, Convergence or Divergence?: https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/governance-of-european-higher-education-9781350293564/HESA’s AI-CADEMY: Canada Summit for Post-Secondary Education: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/HESAaicademy/home

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher welcomes back Alma Maldonado, an education researcher at CINVESTAV, to discuss the state of higher education in Mexico. The conversation covers the transition from former president AMLO to the new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and the impact of Morena's policies on universities. Topics include budget cuts, the controversial Benito Juarez universities, and the future of public and private higher education institutions in Mexico. Despite Sheinbaum's academic background and pro-science rhetoric, the outlook remains challenging for Mexican higher education.00:00 Introduction and Recap00:40 Current State of Mexican Higher Education01:15 Impact of Claudia Sheinbaum's Presidency03:20 Election and Policy Shifts09:59 Budget Cuts and Financial Struggles20:05 Public vs. Private Sector Challenges23:10 Future Outlook and Conclusion👉 Episode Links:HESA’s AI-CADEMY: Canada Summit for Post-Secondary Education: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/HESAaicademy/home

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, Alex Usher discusses global trends and challenges in higher education funding. He outlines systemic issues like slow economic growth, price volatility, and skepticism about the value of higher education, examining how these factors affect countries worldwide. The discussion includes specific insights into the Canadian higher education system, the impact of international students, and the trend towards vocational education. Tune in to understand how global pressures and local policies shape the higher education landscape.👉 Episode Links:3.1: Higher Education in a Polarized World with Simon Marginson: https://youtu.be/N5y1v_PuGaI3.3: What a Second Trump Presidency Could Mean for US Higher Education with Brendan Cantwell: https://youtu.be/gOzDoHwobOo3.6: Dutch Higher Education at a Crossroads with Marijk van der Wende: https://youtu.be/lFHFExCIX5M2.23: Higher Education in Russia: https://worlded.transistor.fm/episodes/2-23-higher-education-in-russia🗓️ AI-CADEMY: Canada Summit for Post-Secondary Education: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/HESAaicademy/home

Join Alex Usher and Robert Kelchen as they discuss the top 10 higher education stories in the U.S. for 2024 in this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast. Topics include changes in big-time college athletics, college closures, international student trends, state funding dynamics, political realignment, accreditation issues, diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions on education policy. Don't miss this comprehensive analysis of significant shifts and challenges in American higher education.👉 Episode Links:Robert Kelchen’s website: https://robertkelchen.com/HESA’s AI-CADEMY: Canada Summit for Post-Secondary Education: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/HESAaicademy/home

Gerard Postiglione, a Professor at the University of Hong Kong and an expert on Chinese vocational education policy, delves into the evolution of China’s vocational education system. He highlights historical reforms influenced by Soviet models and discusses current initiatives aimed at transforming vocational universities into industry-aligned institutions. The conversation touches on public perceptions, the role of corporate partnerships, and the balance between academic and vocational paths. Postiglione also predicts a vital future for these schools in nurturing skills for a green economy.

Join Paul Wakeling, a Professor of Education at the University of York, as he explores the dramatic decline in EU student enrollments at UK universities post-Brexit. The numbers plummeted from 36,000 to just 12,000, prompting a discussion about the financial impact and shifts in recruitment strategies. Paul highlights how modern universities faced the sharpest losses while prestigious institutions fared better. He also reflects on the loss of classroom diversity and the broader cultural implications of reduced student mobility.

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, hosted by Alex Usher, we dive deep into the surprising student protests in Bangladesh that shook the government in the summer of last year. The catalyst was a controversial job quota system, but the movement quickly gained momentum against the increasingly authoritarian regime. Joining us to discuss is Sharowat Shaman, an academic at the University of Dhaka and the School for Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. Together, they explore the history of student political movements in Bangladesh, the intricacies of the country's labor market, and the broader implications for higher education and democratic transitions.👉 Episode Links:AI-CADEMY: Canada Summit for Post-Secondary Education: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/HESAaicademy/home

Joseph Wyckoff, author of 'Outsourcing Student Success', sheds light on the often-overlooked field of institutional research. He delves into its origins at the University of Illinois and its evolution amid post-WWII expansion. The conversation covers the tension between faculty and institutional researchers, administrators' hesitance to empower IR, and how a deprofessionalization in the field has stifled scholarly growth. Wyckoff also imagines a world where institutional research achieved recognition comparable to librarianship.