Magna Charta Observatory 20th anniversary University of Bologna September 19th 2008 Presentation of an essay Inventing tomorrow’s university Who is to take the lead? Jón Torfi Jónasson Professor of Education University of Iceland jtj@hi.is http://www.hi.is/~jtj/

The presentation: overview Preamble Introduction: the stage The idea of a university The stakeholders The future A challenge 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 Preamble The background The audience, the readers for whom the text is written A challenge to take positive action The information society So what? 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 Setting the stage The importance of universities The self-image of universities The growth of universities 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Higher education: enrolment in the US 1900-2004 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Higher education: enrolment in the US 1900-2004 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Higher education: enrolment in the US 1900-2004 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Higher education: enrolment in the US 1900-2004 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Higher education: enrolment in Japan 1900-2004 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Higher education: enrolment in Japan 1900-2004 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Higher education: enrolment in Japan 1900-2004 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Higher education: enrolment in Japan 1900-2004 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 Setting the stage The importance of universities The self-image of universities The growth of universities The moulding forces (must be understood) The students, governments, the (global) market, the institutions The issues (must also be appreciated) Finances, governance, differentiation, teaching – research, how professional education is conducted, egalitarian role, … 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 The idea The development of the university from the middle ages extending into the 21st century The development of the idea of service to truth, knowledge, science to society The operational idea community of scholars the combination of research and teaching community of teachers and students creating a dynamic environment 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 Are there invariants? With reference to its mission? Well, but perhaps not, … With reference to its function? Yes, professional education, … With reference to its operation? Yes, communities of practice, … The principles of the Magna Charta in this context Autonomy, teaching and research, academic freedom, humanistic tradition 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

The stakeholders and the university Whom does the university serve? Whom should the university serve? A long-term or a short-term perspective LT Serves society, global, national, local ST Different stakeholders, a variety of interests within society perhaps a number of conflicts of interests 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

The stakeholders and the university: The short-term perspective Stakeholders such as The students Knowledge, science, truth Democracy, open society, egalitarian society The national economy, the new economy The local economy, the local society Industry The professions The labour unions The institutions of higher education 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 The stakeholders and the university: The short-term perspective – potential conflicts A multitude of potential conflicts of interests between a variety of actors Governments may want More knowledge, science, truth, but … Democracy, open, egalitarian society, but … A strong economy, but … Strong local economies and communities, but … Science may want more money, more independence, but must respect the immediate interests of those who pay must understand that science is not applied, used by some magic process 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 The future Growth in numbers, already alluded to Scenarios The probable, possible or preferable The CHEPS scenarios Centralia, Octavia, Vitis Vinifera Who decides, which type of scenario transpires? 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

The future, the preferable Service to truth, knowledge and science society, in many diverse ways Retain or gain status, respect, financial strength, a dynamic operation 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

The challenge, for the future Taking note of the strong forces operating on the university and ensure that they do not abdicate control to the market, the financial inducements the metrics industry the notion of excellence the dynamics within the HE sector, academic drift (of many sorts), … Consider the students and the reality of credentialism The importance of self-confidence: Strategy characterised by independence rather than conformity 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

The challenge: who is to take the leaad? The answer is perhaps quite simple, it is the universities themselves, they have a unique position within their societies, they have the competence, perspective, respect and distance, and the sense of purpose to do this And perhaps it is most sensible that each and every institution adopts to a fair extent its own agenda, based on a clear understanding of the societal dynamics that control the development of society. But to the extent the university remains one of the most powerful tools for change within society, its overall controlling framework will probably, and rightly, remain in the hands of the political powers. 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

The challenge, to the universities A major problem?! The future strength of the university: it will be strong Remember who are there Therefore it should retain its self-confidence and substantive judgement in order to nurture its resolve to execute its critical functions for an open, egalitarian and a dynamic global society, by cultivating knowledge, truth and critical discourse adopting a critical attitude and humility towards its own discourse ensuring a combination of liberal and specialised education and by securing the operational structure which fosters collegiality and the spirit of dynamic communities of practice. 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008 Thank you 15/11/2018 Jón Torfi Jónasson - Magna Charta Observatory - Bologna 2008

Inventing tomorrow’s university Who is to take the lead? Magna Charta Observatory 20th anniversary University of Bologna September 19th 2008 Inventing tomorrow’s university Who is to take the lead? The universities themselves?! They can and they should. Jón Torfi Jónasson Professor of Education University of Iceland jtj@hi.is http://www.hi.is/~jtj/