The paradox of emerging universities

Abstract

Knowledge industries are a significant element of 21st Century economies. Over the last 25 years, Universities, the original knowledge industry, have become increasingly important engines of growth and indeed economic enterprises in their own right (National Governors Association, 2001; Ysuf & Nabeshima, 2007; Lane & Johnstone 2012; Shaw, 2013; Breznitz, 2014). Many countries are trying to restructure and re-invigorate their higher education sector in order to ensure pertinence, wealth creation and social cohesion. As we move further into the Asian Century (ADB, 2011; Blumenthal et al, 2015) the understanding that improvements in the higher educational system facilitates economic growth (Jayasuriya, 2012; Lane, 2014; Boys, 2014) has resulted in a wide range of new university models being implemented