Higher Education (3)

The Economist has listed a series of problems in American universities; those include a certain lack of academic freedom (political correctness is the most famous form of moral self-censorship) and the rise of tuitions which puts a heavy burden on middle-class families, threatening the ideal of meritocracy. The latter, they say, is more the fault of society at large.

One other element that I find interesting is the fact that even though the U.S. still largely dominates in the number of foreign students, [as we can see in the chart below] it has been losing its share in the global world of universities:

The Institute of International Education reports that the number of foreign students on American campuses declined by 2.4% in 2003-04, the first time the number has gone down in 30 years. Foreign applications to American graduate schools fell by 28% last year, and actual enrolment dropped by 6%

In 2002-04 the number of foreign students increased by 21% in Britain, 23% in Germany and 28% in France. A growing number of European countries are offering American-style degree programs taught in English.

The Economists suggests that this is not just the result of the tightening of visa rules after September 11th 2001 but also the result of foreign competition.

If Europe benefits from the movemet, France still has a long way to go, if we believe the following figures:

Only 2% of French academics are foreign-born. The comparable figure in Switzerland, which is much more successful at producing top universities, is 25%. Only 7% of newly hired professors in major American universities are alumni of the institutions where they teach. In France the figure is 50%.

Now there is one major exception : the French grandes écoles.

French daily Le Monde recently pointed out that the Financial Times has listed once again the French grandes écoles at the top of the professional schools in Europe. Even though the grandes écoles can probably make great business and political leaders, they do not emphasize research.

It seems hard, however, to imagine that continental Europe is going to model itself on its American cousin. Daniel Cohen, in Le Monde has concluded that what European universities need most is independence with stronger leaders who can be more reactive, and in some ways this is already but quietly happening.

The recent financial disengagement of the French government in higher education may just speed up the process but it will be a hard sell politically as “l’égalité des chances” [equality of opportunity] is a slogan that will make it difficult for most universities to raise their tuition or be competitive. As le Monde said though, to create “10 Harvards” in Europe, as Shroeder suggested, there will have to be bloodshed among more traditional schools.