Transforming Universities: Tradition, Issues, and Prospects

Author: Guo Weifan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Medieval European universities were, in nature, associations or academic living communities, existing in the form of guilds, and expected protection from local political powers or the church system. Academic freedom is not unlimited, and it is complementary to academic responsibility, neither of which can be unilaterally abused or expanded. Therefore, discussing academic freedom cannot be separated from examining academic responsibility. University presidents, in addition to possessing the moral integrity and leadership skills of general administrative heads, must also meet the special expectations of the academic community for leading higher education institutions. General education in universities should be studied not as a course theory perspective but as a stance on humanistic educational goals, which makes it easier to grasp its essence.
Facing the diverse landscape of global higher education development, universities in Taiwan should, like Taiwanese business enterprises, flexibly go out and open up new frontiers in higher education. This book discusses the evolution of European and American university systems from an educational history perspective and a developmental viewpoint, highlighting the humanistic tradition that reveals the essence of universities. It introduces the journey of universities from medieval academic living communities to academic institutions in the early 19th century as part of the national education system, showcasing the diverse and vibrant roles universities play in the current knowledge economy era.
Addressing the trend of globalization in higher education, the author explores the reform strategies adopted by various countries, discusses the challenges and innovation topics faced by higher education in Taiwan in its sustainable operation, and outlines the multifaceted image of universities in the 21st century.