Re-imagined universities and global citizen professionals

Shanti George

Why I looked at this book

Universities around the world are changing. Once 'academic' was sharply distinguished from 'business', now it seems that they are becoming less distinct. Academics complain that they are becoming more like managers, and the high cost of today's research means that something beyond the normal sources of funding is required, and as businesses strive to be one step ahead they need to employ the brightest minds. Academia has always had an international scope, now as businesses become more global they are evolving similar structures. In the past high flying individuals could expect to work their way up with a single employer, now they have to keep an eye on their CV and publication record with the expectation of moving from job to job. It's all rather confusing - I'm hoping that this book will help to sort it out in my mind.

First impressions

This book doesn't seem to be exactly what I expected. It's more about the status of academics in the developing world, rather than the convergence of academia and business. The author seems to think that universities should be more like schools of development studies. Maybe they should, but I'm rather suspicious of criticism of a eurocentric education system made from the centre of Europe. I think, however, that it will be interesting to read the individual's stories that make up the main part of the book (it's a pity they don't get into the sample). I would hope to see whether people are pushed towards a consumerist society, even if it disagrees with their intrinsic beliefs.