Is the narrow focus of rankings skewing higher education policy?

By Brendan O’Malley – Managing Editor. In this week’s issue, in our Q&A, Mary Beth Marklein asks expert Ellen Hazelkorn if the US universities that dominate international rankings are driving higher education policy in the rest of the world.
In Features Karen MacGregor reports on the death knell of a controversial former World Bank policy that has been widely blamed for decimating higher education across Africa.
In Commentary, Marina Warner says the current trend towards treating universities like businesses is undermining the very purpose of universities. Roger Y Chao Jr says there is a lack of engagement from development partners with Myanmar’s process of education reform just when it is most needed. And Marcelo Knobel says Latin American countries are struggling to tackle social inequality and must find ways to not only widen access to universities but also ensure that the potential success of every student is realised.
In our World Blog, Margaret Andrews says business schools are being forced to innovate under pressure from rising costs, technology advances and employer dissatisfaction. Read more...