Creating Knowledge, Strengthening Nations: The Changing Role of Higher Education

Ashley Thomson is a full librarian at Laurentian University and co-editor or co-author of nine books, most recently Margaret Atwood: A Reference Guide, 1988-2005.

The last 45 years have seen enormous changes in the external environment
in which universities operate. Not the least of these is the rapid
spread of globalization combined with a relative decline in public
financial support for higher education. One result is that many
universities are now motivated to get involved in research for the
private sector. This development has been welcomed by many researchers
themselves, particularly in the areas of science, health, and
technology. But others have argued that universities are becoming too
corporate and that they are losing sight of their broader mandate to
contribute to societal goals of equity and redistributive justice.

In recognition of the changing role of higher education, the University
of Toronto hosted an international symposium between October 30 and
November 1, 2002. Afterwards, the editors identified key presentations
and gathered them into this book, which they’ve divided into three
sections.

The first section, “New Pressures, New Roles: The Changing Context of
Higher Education,” includes five papers that focus on topics such as
globalization and the new knowledge-driven economy. Section 2,
“Strengthening Nations, Regions and Cities: High Education and
Society,” consists of seven papers that reflect a more international
perspective and also try to examine the conditions under which knowledge
transfer successfully tasks place. Of particular interest are Maureen
O’Neil’s work showing how democracy is a precondition for healthy
universities and David Wolfe’s piece on the role of universities in
regional development and cluster formation—a must-read. Section 3,
“Creating Knowledge: New Challenges and Roles,” which also contains
five papers, includes a provocative piece by Shirley Newman that points
out how social sciences and humanities research fit into the new
environment.

While not all the ideas in this book are simply laid out—and there is
some duplication—the fact remains that it is a hugely important work
and deserves to be read, not only throughout the higher education
community but also by business and government leaders. The book is a
magnificent achievement.