Tertiary Education for the Knowledge Society
Hide / Show Abstract

Tertiary Education for the Knowledge Society

Volume 1 and Volume 2

This book provides a thorough international investigation of tertiary education policy across its many facets – governance, funding, quality assurance, equity, research and innovation, academic career, links to the labour market and internationalisation. It presents an analysis of the trends and developments in tertiary education; a synthesis of research-based evidence on the impact of tertiary-education policies; innovative and successful policies and practices that countries have implemented; and tertiary-education policy options. The report draws on the results of a major OECD review of tertiary education policy – the OECD Thematic Review of Tertiary Education -- conducted over the 2004-08 period in collaboration with 24 countries around the world.

"The new ‘bible’ of Post-secondary education."

-Paul Cappon, President of the Canadian Council on Learning

 "An exceptionally useful and interesting review."

-Tom Boland, Chief Executive, Higher Education Authority of Ireland

 "The reference text for the future debate on tertiary education."

-José Joaquín Brunner, Professor and Director,
Centre for Comparative Education Policies, University of Diego Portales, Chile

 

 

Publication Date :
16 Sep 2008
DOI :
10.1787/9789264046535-en
 
Chapter
 

The Academic Career: Adapting to Change You do not have access to this content

Authors:
OECD
Pages :
131–187
DOI :
10.1787/9789264046535-11-en

Hide / Show Abstract

Fundamental requirements for institutions of tertiary education to achieve their missions are that motivated people with high-level knowledge and skills choose to become academics, strategies to facilitate their work are in place, and that effective academics wish to remain in academia. The academic profession needs to be competitive with other occupations in attracting talented people and the management of academic resources needs to ensure high levels of motivation within the profession. This Chapter reviews the trends and developments in the work of academics and analyses the main features of the academic profession in the countries reviewed. Whilst the tertiary education sector and the academic working environment are becoming increasingly diversified and complex, a number of broad trends affecting academic work and changes in staffing policies seem to be common to many countries. The Chapter further reviews factors which affect the attractiveness of the academic profession and those which influence the effectiveness of academics. It includes descriptions of policy initiatives in participating countries, and develops policy options for countries to consider.