challenges for higher education in multicultural and globalised societies

Finnish Institute for E

ducational Research (F

IER

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Challenges for Higher Education in Multicultural and

Globalised Societies

Jussi Välimaa, Dr., Professor of higher education studies

Finnish Institute for Educational Research

University of Jyväskylä, Finland



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The Aims of the Keynote

to discuss on the different roles higher education institutions play in contemporary societies

Analyze the nature of contemporary societies as networked knowledge societies

Analyze the topics of internationalization, multiculturalism & intercultural issues

Reflect on the challenges for higher education institutions

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)Defining Globalization &

internationalizationGlobalization = processes which affect the whole world / are recognized throughout the globe. The basic hypothesis: nation states loose their decision-making capacity at the cost of global organizations & processes

Internationalization is based on contracts between nation states, or their institutions. The processes of internationalization (e.g. international exchange programs) show that nation states continue be important political players.

Often overlap each other

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)On the Nature of Contemporary

Societies

Knowledge Societies:

Increasing importance of knowledge everywhere in societies (Stehr 1994)

Mobile Network societies:

Crucial categories of time and space are transforming because of ICT (Castells 2006)

Network Societies:

Describes the dominating social structures of contemporary societies: networks (Castells 2009, Latour 2007)

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Main Problems with These Soci(logic)al Theories

Knowledge Society does not take seriously the means of communication (ICT) and emerging new social structures (networks)

Mobile Network Societies emphasizes ICT too much as a source of change

Network theories (ANT) and Network Society do not pay enough attention to the contents of communication (knowledge)

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)Defining Networked Knowledge

Societies (NKS)Contemporary societies can not be defined either knowledge societies or network societies; both describe important social phenomena of contemporary global realities

The crucial elements are:

1) CONTENT. The need & use of knowledge

2) MEDIA. Information technology

3) SOCIAL STRUCTURE. Networking as the social form of communication & knowledge production

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The Need and Use of Knowledge (& HE):

The quantity and quality of the needs for most up-dated knowledge is a new phenomenon -> research and HEIs are crucially important.

the content of information and communication is crucially important matter in itself

Knowledge needs to be taken seriously as the core element in contemporary societies.

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Information Technology (& HE):ICT has re-defined the categories of time & space identity, social forms, society, but institutions & social structures frame social choice & communication choice.

wireless communication & internet enhance considerably the intensity and density of interaction.

HEIs may act as important nodes of knowledge networks because of their intellectual and material resources (academic traditions, administrative structure & physical space).

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Social Form: Networks

new forms of knowledge production: knowledge is produced in networks of partnerships & cooperation with academics and universities (e.g. open access) and with other stakeholders outside HEIs

Networking and networks are the most efficient way to organize these multiple and flexible academic, business and social partnership relations.

Networking is the social form of communication & knowledge production.

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New competencies needed in the Knowledge Societies

Old academic qualifications are not enough

New competencies are needed:

1) intercultural communication skills

2) team-working skills

3) Leadership qualities

4) Basic disciplinary knowledge

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Three Internationalizations

Context: While higher education is global as a sector, it remains a nationally-based institution

1) Traditional internationalization, emphasis on international nature of higher education: short term temporary, academic mobility & student exchange, faculty visits and conferences, international publications & international cooperation in projects or scientific research

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)Three Internationalizations (2)

2) Emerging internationalization, newer developments often directly connected to globalization (increasing competitive potential in cross-border higher education consortia) & attempts to recruit tuition and fee-paying students from around the world

3) Ideological internationalization, includes arguments about what internationalization efforts should be -> internationalization policies at the local and national level should mitigate many of the negative effects associated with globalization

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Essential is that

there is not one definition of internationalization that will serve all purposes, at every level of higher education, everywhere.

Universities need to define what kind of internationalization they want to have

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On Multiculturalism

The same can be applied with multicultural or intercultural issues: there is not only one definition that serves all purposes

‘multicultural’ is often used in relation to: 1) recognition of civil rights, 2) integration & adaptation of migrants, 3) multicultural / intercultural communication

In intercultural cooperation CULTURAL SENSIBILITY is essential

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Trends in the Changes of Knowledge

Changes of Knowledge:

Traditional Society: Networked Knowledge Society:

Locus of knowledge Local & national institutions

Global networks

Nature of knowledge Controlled /closed open

Mode of knowledge production

universities Cooperative networks of universities & others

Production of knowledge

Individual academics Collective networks, peer production

Storage of knowledge Libraries & archieves Internet

Access to knowledge Limited, controlled Free

Mode of knowledge transmission

Teacher-centered, lecture rooms

Student-centered, www-based learning

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Challenges for Universities

1) have both local, national and global social responsibilities

2) have tense networks (local, national, global)

3) be active contributors and defenders of free and open access to knowledge

4) create conditions and maintain infrastructure for global communication

5) educate citizens (rather than labour force)

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Challenges for Universities (2)

6) Educate students with competencies needed in Knowledge Societies

7) Change pedagogical thinking (towards constructive & cooperative learning)

8) Recruit multicultural academic staff

=> University should decide what kind of future it wants to create for itself

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)Thank You

challenges for higher education in multicultural and globalised societies

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