Search

In this paper, we focus on the institutionalization of transdisciplinarity (TD) in higher education institutions and how they institutionalize Transdisciplinarity (TD). As such, universities have engaged in different activities to enact TD policies that aim at incorporating TD in their research and teaching. We take the Methodology Center at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg as a case study. We analyze the institutionalization process of TD to shed light on the obstacles that TD faces to become a widespread policy and practice at universities. In adopting a neo-institutionalist approach in our research, we develop a two-level analysis that allow us to compare the formal characteristics given to TD policies with the actual TD practices taking place in universities. Our findings reveal that TD institutionalization at the Methodology Center is at a mid-level and that overall TD institutionalization is an iterative process, in which the two levels mutually can reinforce or hinder each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several studies have examined how quality teaching and learning is defined and operationalised in the global North, there is a paucity of such studies in developing country contexts. Using Zimbabwe as a case study, the research applies Sen's idea of deliberative democracy to a multi-stakeholder evaluation of policy formulation and practices in university teaching and learning. The study reveals a disjuncture between policy and practice, which has implications for the learning processes and valued outcomes of higher education. The paper proposes the broadening of the current technical-rational approaches to quality, to incorporate other stakeholder perspectives in informing a contextually relevant understanding of quality and its practices. Thus, beyond skills and knowledge acquisition, teaching and learning would foster other valued capabilities as quality learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030' in the Republic of Ireland (universally known as the Hunt Report) represents the latest and most assertive attempt by the Irish state to re-construct higher education in accordance with economic utilitarian objectives. This paper sets out to analyse the historical context, key themes and theoretical underpinnings of the report, locating it within a European and international context shaped by a dominant 'knowledge based economy' paradigm. This study draws upon broad narratives of public service refonn to offer an initial theoretical insight into contemporary higher education policies in Ireland. The report reflects long-term trends in Irish higher education policy, which promote a reorientation of higher education to serve economic objectives. We argue that the Hunt Report is much more a synthesis of existing policies and previous expert group reports than a manifesto for radical transformation of Irish higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformation in higher education in South Africa over the last 20 years has been strongly shaped by post-apartheid pressures. Recent research shows that South Africa's current higher education system can be described as medium knowledge-producing and differentiated, with low participation and high attrition. In the decade following 1994, both policy frameworks and capacity building of the sector received considerable attention. Massification and differentiation are concepts that have been under discussion for some time in South Africa, but have yet to be translated into practical mechanisms for delivery of results. The Centre for Higher Education Transformation initially focused its efforts on stimulating debate on cutting-edge issues in South Africa. More recently, it has shifted its focus to strengthening regional and national development of African universities to enable their more meaningful participation in the global knowledge economy and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual assault on university campuses is a pervasive problem that affects approximately 25% of female students and has wide-reaching negative outcomes [DeKeseredy, W., and K. Kelly. 1993. 'The Incidence and Prevalence of Woman Abuse in Canadian University and College Dating Relationships.' The Canadian Journal of Sociology 18 (2): 137-59; Krebs, C. P., C. H. Lindquist, T. D. Warner, B. S. Fisher, and S. L. Martin. 2009. 'College Women's Experiences with Physically Forced, Alcohol- or Other Drug Enabled, and Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Before and Since Entering College.' Journal of American College Health 57 (6): 639-49]. It is important that universities develop and implement comprehensive policies and procedures to address this complex issue. This research explores sexual assault-related policies (N = 119) at all public universities in Canada (N = 72). We examine four elements suggesting comprehensiveness of a university's sexual assault response (policy comprehensiveness, availability of campus support resources, and sexual assault information webpage presence and comprehensiveness), and test whether these elements are related to various institutional features. Results show significant differences related to university characteristics across the measures of comprehensiveness, and indicate a need for increased focus at the institutional level to ensure that policies are sufficiently comprehensive to handle the complexities that arise in sexual assault cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]