Abstract:

This article aims to analyze the changes that are taking place in the higher education sector as universities and faculties tend to become knowledge-based organizations, whose profile is more private than public sector-oriented, as they adjust to the new economic conditions. The trend was first defined by Slaughter and Leslie (1997) as “academic capitalism,” as higher education organizations are increasingly more market and stakeholder-oriented.
Universities are also rapidly becoming stakeholders in the life-long learning process. They are now research centers reuniting international teams for a common purpose. They are more integrated in the society, being part of the institutional network which students go through before entering the labour market, an idea highlighted by Tolley and Shulruf (2009).
One of the analyzed phenomena is that of student migration, as various international programs have greatly developed over the past few years in order to make international exchange programs available to most students. Globalization has opened borders to students and teachers alike. How are students benefitting from the fact that teachers now have access to international databases and exchange programs?
Another idea is the relation between the development of education and economic growth especially for developing countries, particularly when the first is considered to combat poverty. How important is it for an individual to have a higher education if the national market is unable to provide him with a suitable job? We all know education is important, but assessing how important is a very challenging task. Various studies, including Jiminez and Patrinos (2008), Wolfe and Samuel (1997), and Psacharopoulos and Patrinos 2002), have analyzed the indicators proving that higher education leads to a higher standard of living. However, as developing countries are struggling with structural reforms, would it be preferable to sacrifice higher education in favor of basic and secondary education for everybody? How is this affected by a regional trend, as research and development is a sector highly stressed in the European Union, given the focus of the Lisbon strategy and its ambitious goals?
At a smaller scale, universities are trying to improve teaching methods, to differentiate from their competitors. According to Rowland (2000), teaching methods can be improved if three conditions are met critics, personal research and openness to change. This article is also looking for other factors susceptible of influencing teaching methods and finding evidence that, given the major role played by the internet and communication technologies, interactive courses are more effective than traditional methods.
The financial aspect has not been left out and one of the most important investors in education is the World Bank, that not only has the ability to allocate funds for higher education but can also influence the policy in the field, as Collins and Rhoads (2009) indicate.
And last, this article analyzes the impact of the current economic crisis on universities and students. Martin and Marion (2005) consider crises to provide both opportunities and resistance factors.

Keywords:

higher education, student migration, teaching methods.