Global university rankings and world-class universities have become buzzwords almost in every country. Both exercise positive and not-so-positive impact on higher education systems. Universities everywhere are trying hard to improve their status and global rankings. The article reviews some of the important issues related to these two strongly…

There is a presumption among many policy makers that higher education is not necessary for economic growth and development; it is literacy and basic education and at best secondary education that are argued to be important. Estimates of internal rate of return contributed to strengthening of such a presumption. Accordingly, higher education has…

There is a general presumption among many policy makers that secondary and higher education is not necessary for economic growth and development. On the other hand, it is literacy and primary education that is argued to be important. Estimates on internal rate of return also contributed to strengthening of such a presumption. Accordingly,…

Worsening economic conditions, reflected in mounting external debt, debt service, and structural adjustment processes have forced governments to reveal their expenditure priorities, which are largely against human capital investment activities like education. This paper examines this phenomenon, using cross-country data for Sub-Saharan Africa.…

A paper analyzing the cost of education in India is divided into three major sections. In the first section, the author highlights the importance of cost analysis, describes a taxonomy of costs of education, and discusses alternative concepts of unit costs of education and other conceptual and analytical issues. The nature of official and…

An extensive survey of empirical research on education as related to poverty, growth, and income distribution is presented, with the focus on 21 developing nations. The study uses the latest available data on alternative measures of income distribution, income shares of various population groups by income classes, and poverty ratios. The analysis…

The current pattern of higher education funding in India is examined, and desirability and feasibility of several alternative funding methods are discussed. It is argued that, in view of resource constraints and equity considerations, wholly public funding is not appropriate and that a mix of support sources should be used. (Author/MSE)

Describes features of the emerging knowledge society, its relationship with education, role of international organizations in knowledge development and management, and the need for knowledge based aid policies. Suggests that knowledge development is the responsibility of governments in developing nations, while knowledge management could be tasked…

Expresses concern about recent trends in financing higher education in India. Outlines several proposals for finance reform and considers national and international experiences with them. Argues that reform suggestions being made for developing countries are not empirically valid for the contexts in which they are to be implemented. (Author/MSE)

This article critically reviews implementation of the National Loan Scholarship Scheme in India. It examines the program's strengths, weaknesses, and problems (e.g., a culture with negative attitudes toward such loans). It concludes that student loans are making little contribution to either the efficiency or equity of higher education in India.…

Although India's literacy rate has increased, the faster population growth has increased the nation's total illiteracy. The paper reviews differences in literacy rates among various regions and examines factors to explain this inequality, concluding that compulsory education for children is not enough and that adult literacy campaigns are vital.…

A discussion of the economics of higher education in developed and developing countries looks at these issues: increasing costs, spending in comparison with level of development, public subsidization, access, proportion of spending on salaries, higher education as investment, funding sources, cost reduction, and strategies for shifting cost…