This book critically examines some of the major trends in the development of higher education. It demonstrates how in the context of liberalisation, globalisation and marketisation, the crisis in higher education has assumed different dimensions in all advanced and emerging societies. The author shows how the state tends to slowly withdraw from the responsibility of higher education, including in the arena of policy-making, or simply adopts a policy of laissez-faire (of non-involvement) which helps in the rapid unbridled growth of private sector in higher education. The notion of higher education as a public good is under serious contestation in current times. The book argues for the need to resurrect the compelling nature of higher education along with its several implications for public policy and planning, while providing a broad portrayal of global developments, comparative perspectives and key lessons.
The volume will be of interest to scholars and researchers of education, political science, public policy and administration, governance, development studies, economics, and those working in the higher education sectors, think-tanks, policymakers as well as NGOs.
Biography
Jandhyala B. G. Tilak, an eminent economist of education and former Vice-Chancellor, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi, is currently Distinguished Professor at the Council for Social Development, New Delhi, India. He has authored/edited more than12 books and around 300 research articles in refereed journals. In recognition of his research, he received the Swami Pranavananda Saraswati UGC Award, Malcolm Adiseshiah Award, Dewang Mehta Award, and Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award. He has served as Visiting Professor at the University of Virginia in the US, Hiroshima University in Japan, and Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, India; Consultant at the World Bank; and President of the Comparative Education Society of India. He also served as the dditor of Journal of Educational Planning and Administration.
‘Jandhyala B. G. Tilak is India’s most prominent economist of higher education. In this volume, he not only cogently discusses key economic issues, but also focuses on broader higher education themes. Higher education has become a key arena for public policy debate — and the topic of considerable controversy. Tilak’s thoughtful and often data-driven insights are an important contribution to the discussion.’
Philip G. Altbach, Research Professor and Founding Director, Center for International Higher Education, Boston College, USA
‘Having followed the research contributions of Prof. Jandhyala B. G. Tilak over two decades, I am glad to see some of his seminal publications appearing as a book. He has been one of the eminent educationists to advocate higher education as a "public good" at a time when there are forces against this concept. His unique contributions on financing higher education mainly linking with issues of access and affordability and on concept of University are well known.’
M. Anandakrishnan, Former Director, Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Chairman, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
‘Professor Jandhyala B. G. Tilak is the world’s leading scholar of Indian higher education and we all benefit from his clear-minded writings on the core issues that shape higher education everywhere: higher education and socio-economic development; the role of states, planning and markets; objectives of public and private good; and problems of privatisation and globalisation. This beautifully written volume will bring his work, which is powered by a deep commitment to equality, universal educability and democracy, to a still larger audience and help ensure its lasting impact.’
Simon Marginson, Professor of International Higher Education, University College London, UK
‘A must-read collection of readings on the political economy of higher education by a true scholar in the field.’
George Psacharopoulos, Visiting Professor of Economics, University of Athens, Greece, and formerly with London School of Economics and the World Bank
