Universities will need to extensively reinvent themselves if they are to survive in the cut-throat world of the new millennium, according to one Korean academic.
'The globalisation of economic systems, technological advances and the increased expectations that society has of its education system have replaced past certainties with new and uncertain frameworks,' said Lee Hyun-chong, president of the Korean Comparative Education Society.
The shift from ivory tower to education industry, from teacher-oriented to learner-oriented education had created the 'age of student consumerism', Dr Lee said.
He said universities needed to learn how to market themselves effectively. Specialisation should be encouraged and they would need to adopt a 'co-operative mindset', not just in working with other universities. 'Colleges and universities need to share with organisations in the private sector,' Dr Lee said.
He predicted new types of universities would emerge - including 'andraversities' (for continuing learners), 'televersities' (for distance learners) and mega-universities formed by the merging of a number of institutions.