Reclaiming Public Universities: Comparative Reflections for Reforms

This book explores the nature of public universities and higher education reforms in emerging economies, with a focus on India, South Africa, and Brazil. It provides a critical account of the policy reforms and changes in these regions due to globalization and markets, comparing methodological approaches and engaging with the New Public Management inspired reform policies. The volume will be of interest to scholars and researchers in education, higher education, sociology, social anthropology, development studies, public policy, and Global South studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate nature of public universities and the ongoing higher education reforms in emerging economies, particularly focusing on India, South Africa, and Brazil. Through a rich tapestry of context-based case studies, the essays in this volume shed light on the state of public universities in the developing world, acknowledging their shared colonial past and the enduring social, caste, and race inequalities that persist. Drawing from comparative and multidisciplinary research, the book offers a critical assessment of the policy reforms and transformations that have taken place in public universities across the Global South regions in response to globalization and market-driven forces.

The chapters within this book explore methodological approaches to university reform and restructuring, comparing them across various countries such as the United States, Australia, the European Union, and India. They examine the California model, the Bologna process, the Melbourne model, the University of Delhi reforms, and critically engage with the New Public Management-inspired reform policies. Furthermore, the book lays the foundation for understanding massification in a contextual manner, exploring the possibilities for expanding the scale of mass higher education through public provision.

Packed with empirical findings and social theory analyses by esteemed global experts, this volume holds immense appeal to scholars and researchers in the fields of education, higher education, sociology, social anthropology, development studies, public policy, administration, politics, political economy, and Global South studies. It will also be invaluable to educationists, policymakers, and civil society organizations seeking to understand and address the complex challenges facing public universities and higher education systems in the evolving global landscape.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032134796