A recently completed major study into the future of British higher education is an impressive analytical effort but may be criticized for its openness to bargaining and policy advocacy and for neglecting to outline a range of available options and to clearly spell out major value tradeoffs involved in the options. (MSE)

Competition and government regulation in the Netherlands' and U.S. higher education systems are compared, and policy options to inject competitive dynamics into a highly regulated system are discussed. Policy options include demand-oriented policies (e.g., price changes, enrollment limits) and supply-oriented policies (e.g., institutional autonomy…

The effectiveness of Australia's handling of higher education policy at the national level is discussed in terms of the considerable future problems to be faced. Policy successes and failures in the last two decades are assessed, and future prospects are examined. (Author/MSE)

Postwar changes in regulatory relationships between British governments and higher education institutions are examined for the following periods: (1) 1945-70, marked by consolidation, growth, increased government support; (2) 1970-87, characterized by political hostility, some stagnation in demand; and (3) 1987-present, commitment to mass higher…

Despite Hong Kong and Macau's cultural, economic, and political similarities, their higher education systems differ. Hong Kong has a well-established system and tradition of government control. Macau's system is smaller, younger, and began as a private enterprise. Trends in government financing, policies, and student loans are bringing the systems…

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)

It is proposed that, although Finland has tightened the national role in the governance of higher education institutions in recent decades, a shift toward competition has meant a shift toward control by market forces. The effect of this policy on the roles and stratification of institutions is examined. (Author/MSE)

Experiences of different countries in establishing mechanisms to coordinate development of higher education systems, diversify institutional financing, and increase efficiency of public investments are examined. Attention is drawn to the need for effective policy structures to manage higher education, link reform costs to benefits, acknowledge…

Survey of 998 enrollees at 11 2- and 4-year institutions of higher education in China found recent recruitment reforms found have been effective in preparing suitable pool of students to carry out economic plans and have opened technical and professional education to lower class populations excluded in past. Some influence of other economic…

It is argued that the relationship of South Africa's liberal universities and the state from 1948-90 was characterized not only by conflict, but also by considerable cooperation, by which all races benefited. The complexity of the relationship and some of the issues, such as apartheid, academic freedom, and censorship are examined. (MSE)

Development of higher education in Colombia is analyzed in the context of recent expansion, democratization, emphasis on quality, and efforts to differentiate programs and institutions. Critical policy areas emerging, overall funding and administration of the public sector, are examined; and possible future developments are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Discussion of the evolution of Latin American higher education policy focuses on historic and social factors. It is concluded that policies often fail because they shift control to one of three poles (government, academic oligarchy, or market) to the exclusion of the others or favor the wrong sector within each pole. (MSE)

Australia's higher education system reform, the booming overseas market, and unmet domestic demand have provided opportunities for private higher education. The growth of private provision, federal and state government responses, and pressures for subsidy and regulation have hastened development of a "peripheral private sector."…

In the context of pressure for higher education reform in South Africa, this article argues that the policy debate frequently dichotomizes issues in a way that makes dealing with changing forms of state and changing state-higher education relationships more difficult. A distinction is made between administrative and political forms of control and…

Major changes in British higher education in the last five years are analyzed, including increasing student numbers, mandated government assessment, linking funding to assessment, modularized curriculum, and the competency movement. Comparisons are drawn with the United States, and the impact of the policy changes on one institution, the…