The Challenge of Establishing World-Class Universities

1. The Challenge of Establishing World-Class Universities JamilSalmi Washington DC 6 May 2009

6. natural lab experiment: U. of Malaya vs. NUS • early1960s: 2 branches of University of Malaya • today: • NUS ranked # 19 • UM only # 192

7. outline of the presentation • what is a world-class university? • how do you become a world-class university?

8. how do you recognize a world-class university? • everyone wants one • no one knows what it is • no one knows how to get one Philip G. Altbach

9. defining the WCU • self-declaration

11. defining the WCU • self-declaration • reputation • rankings

14. top 50 universities

15. Characteristics of a World-Class University Alignment of Key Factors Concentration of Talent Students Teaching Staff Researchers Leading-Edge Research Top Graduates WCU Supportive Regulatory Framework Abundant Favorable Governance Public Budget Resources Endowment Revenues Tuition Fees Research Grants Resources Autonomy Academic Freedom Dynamic Technology Transfer Leadership Team Strategic Vision Culture of Excellence Source: Elaborated by Jamil Salmi

16. concentration of talent • teachers and researchers • incoming students • undergraduate / graduate students balance

17. weight of graduate students

18. concentration of talent • teachers and researchers • incoming students • undergraduate / graduate students balance • international dimensions

19. international dimensions • foreign students • Harvard (19%) • Cambridge (18%) • foreign faculty • Harvard (30%) • Oxford (36%) • Cambridge (33%)

20. abundant resources • government funding • US spends 3.3% of GDP ($54,000 per student) • Europe (E25) only 1.3% ($13,500 per student) • endowments

22. Comparison of US and UK Endowment Levels

23. abundant resources • government funding • endowments • research funding

24. impact of the crisis • resources flows • government policies

25. resources flows • reduced government funding for teaching, research and student aid • reduced resources for institutions as demand falls (new domestic and foreign students, dropouts)

26. resource flows (II) • fewer resources from private sector (donations, contracts) • fall in stock market values reduces value of endowments and pension funds

27. implications for governments • increase scholarships and establish / strengthen student loan programs • include tertiary education in economic stimulus plans • R&D • entrepreneurship for innovation

30. favorable governance • freedom from civil service rules (human resources, procurement, financial management) • management autonomy • flexibility and responsiveness with power to act • selection of leadership team • independent Board with outside representation

32. U. Of Malaya vs. NUS • talent • UM: selection bias in favor of Bumiputras, less than 5% foreign students, no foreign professors • NUS: highly selective, 43% of graduates students are foreign, many foreign professors

33. U. Of Malaya vs. NUS (II) • finance • UM: $118 million, $4,053 per student • NUS: $750 million endowment, $205 million, $6,300 per student • governance • UM: restricted by government regulations and control, unable to hire top foreign professors • NUS: status of a private corporation, able to attract world-class foreign researchers

34. outline of the presentation • what is a world-class university? • how do you become a world-class university?

35. the path to glory • upgrading existing institutions • mergers • creating a new institution

36. upgrading approach • less costly • challenge of creating a culture of excellence • focus on governance

37. mergers approach • China, Russia, France, Denmark, Ireland • potential synergies • 1+1=3 • clash of cultures

38. creating a new institution • higher costs • getting the right culture from the beginning

39. who takes the initiative? • role of the State • favorable regulatory framework • funding • role of the institutions • leadership • strategic vision • culture of excellence

40. Clemson University • land grant university focused on agricultural and mechanical crafts • changing region • strategic partnership with BMW to become premier automotive and sports car research U • aims to become # 20

44. the end

45. Upgrade your knowledge – enhance, repair, connect, and adapt your universities! Upgrading & Fixing Universities

46. a word of caution • need for diversified tertiary education system • not all institutions can be “world-class” • a few select world-class research universities

47. a word of advice • what kind of institution? • time dimension • alignment

48. money is not enough • the most expensive universities in the world are not world-class • Washington U (Washington) • Kenyon College (Ohio) • Bucknell U (Pennsylvania) • Vassar College (NY) • Sarah Lawrence College (NY)

49. Concentration of Talent Students Teaching Staff Researchers Research Output Graduates Supportive Regulatory Framework WCU Abundant Favorable Governance Technology Transfer Public Budget Resources Endowment Revenues Tuition Fees Research Grants Resources Autonomy Academic Freedom Leadership Team Strategic Vision Culture of Excellence Characteristics of a World-Class University Alignment of Key Factors Source: Elaborated by Jamil Salmi

50. World Class University Recipe Lots of Talent Plenty of Resources A Touch of Governance Shake Well!