In the Shadow of Celebrity? World-Class University Policies and Public Value in Higher Education

Abstract

The growing popularity of the concept of world-class universities raises the question of whether investing in such universities is a worthwhile use of public resources. Does concentrating public resources on the most excellent universities improve the overall quality of a higher education system, especially if definitions of excellence and worldclass are made by external ranking organizations? This paper addresses that question by developing a framework for weighing up trade-offs between institutional and system performance, focusing on the potential system-wide improvements which world-class university programmes (WCUPs) may bring. Because WCUPs are in a relatively early stage of their development, systemic effects are not yet clear. We therefore analyse the ex ante reasons that policy makers have for adopting WCUPs to see if they at least seek to create these systemic benefits.

Study Success at the Clash Point of Excellence and Social Dimension?

“…(Švec et al 2015) Social Function of Higher Education Cremonini et al 2014). Bryson et al (2014) note that citizens would like to have a highly performing HE system, which is effective in achieving the desired outcomes, operating justly and fairly and generating societal benefits.…”

“…Some European countries that felt unrepresented in international rankings have implemented reforms targeted at supporting top universities (France), world-class science (Germany) or world-class university (Finland) (Cremonini et al 2014). …”

Globalisation, mergers and ‘inadvertent multi-campus universities’: reflections from Wales

“…This runs the risk of losing those activities that are of more value to the local community, which build linkages and help raise local participation and engagement with higher education. Clearly, strategic pathways need to be found for universities to reap benefits from their local engagement, not just purely financially, but in accessing other kinds of resources through which they can deliver their overall missions (Benneworth, 2013).…”

“…Although the world-class university concept is an emergent observation of a particular class of university performing well in league tables, 'world class universities' have a strong research profile, attract the best talent and offer the best facilities. Many countries have invested heavily in structural higher education reforms to try and create world class universities (Cremonini, Westerheijden, Benneworth, & Dauncey, 2013). One of the commonly occurring instruments to achieve this has been through institutional mergers to create new high-scoring, well-ranked institutions (Salmi, 2009, pp.…”

Initiatives for Change in Korean Higher Education: Quest for Excellence of World-Class Universities

“…The heightened demand for global rankings directly correlates with the overall benefits that have accumulated to the world's top universities in terms of "international visibility, investments, recruitment and profile" (Cremonini, Westerheijden, Benneworth, & Dauncey, 2014). Such demand for global rankings is also reflected by the results of international surveys which indicate that over 50% of higher education leaders are not satisfied with their current rank, and that more than 90% desire to improve their national or international rankings; in addition, of those who wish to improve their rank, over 60% have taken action towards such objectives (Hazelkorn, 2008).…”