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A Modern University SystemIn a CompetitiveEnvironment
Haim Harari
Alpbach, August 28, 2004
"A University is a remote isolated ivory tower, in which distinguished aging scholars, mostly with beards, contemplate philosophical and ethical issues, probe the most esoteric deep secrets of nature and train the next generation of selected brilliant minds to do likewise. The general public knows little and cares less about this secluded place, but admires the intellect of the Professors, understanding that they are a minor burden on the society which maintains them, similar to artists and to other useless great minds. The University has no relation to the business world, to industry, to government, to the pre-collegiate educational system or, for that matter, to anything else practical."
Once Upon a Time…
"A University is a remote isolated ivory tower, in which distinguished aging scholars, mostly with beards, contemplate philosophical and ethical issues, probe the most esoteric deep secrets of nature and train the next generation of selected brilliant minds to do likewise. The general public knows little and cares less about this secluded place, but admires the intellect of the Professors, understanding that they are a minor burden on the society which maintains them, similar to artists and to other useless great minds. The University has no relation to the business world, to industry, to government, to the pre-collegiate educational system or, for that matter, to anything else practical."
Once Upon a Time…
"A University is a huge processing plant, in which the raw material consists of a large percentage of the population in the relevant age group and the final product is mediocre practitioners of useful professions like law, physical therapy, accounting, software engineering, school teaching and dentistry. Most students are of average intelligence, admissions are open or almost so, tuition is free or almost so and the average Professor is far from being an admired legendary scholar. Quantity is achieved at the expense of quality. The cost to the public is substantial and the politicians constantly meddle in the affairs of the University and try to make sure that every penny spent leads to immediate practical results. The relation to the business world, to industry and to the pre-collegiate school system is still, at best, marginal."
Today, Somewhere in Europe…
"A University is a huge processing plant, in which the raw material consists of a large percentage of the population in the relevant age group and the final product is mediocre practitioners of useful professions like law, physical therapy, accounting, software engineering, school teaching and dentistry. Most students are of average intelligence, admissions are open or almost so, tuition is free or almost so and the average Professor is far from being an admired legendary scholar. Quantity is achieved at the expense of quality. The cost to the public is substantial and the politicians constantly meddle in the affairs of the University and try to make sure that every penny spent leads to immediate practical results. The relation to the business world, to industry and to the pre-collegiate school system is still, at best, marginal."
Today, Somewhere in Europe…
"A University is an ivory tower, devoted to creating new knowledge and to training an intellectual elite, while serving, at the same time, as a true lighthouse, training competent professionals, spreading enlightenment, contributing to the economy, helping school education, creating the foundation of sophisticated industry and ameliorating social problems."
Can This Happen, One Day?
The Ivory Lighthouse
"A University is an ivory tower, devoted to creating new knowledge and to training an intellectual elite, while serving, at the same time, as a true lighthouse, training competent professionals, spreading enlightenment, contributing to the economy, helping school education, creating the foundation of sophisticated industry and ameliorating social problems."
Can This Happen, One Day?
The Ivory Lighthouse
Sacred Cows
Creativity IS NOT license to publish
nonsense
Sacred Cows
Creativity IS NOT license to publish
nonsense
Academic Freedom IS NOT freedom to spend money
Sacred Cows
Creativity IS NOT license to publish
nonsense
Academic Freedom IS NOT freedom to spend money
Contributing to social IS NOT underneath the dignity and economic problems of the great scholar.
Sacred Cows
Creativity IS NOT license to publish
nonsense
Academic Freedom IS NOT freedom to spend money
Contributing to social IS NOT underneath the dignity and economic problems of the great scholar.
Tenure IS NOT retirement at age
40
Sacred Cows
Creativity IS NOT license to publish
nonsense
Academic Freedom IS NOT freedom to spend money
Contributing to social IS NOT underneath the dignity and economic problems of the great scholar.
Tenure IS NOT retirement at age
40
Excellence IS NOT arrogance.
Sacred Cows
Creativity IS NOT license to publish
nonsense
Academic Freedom IS NOT freedom to spend money
Contributing to social IS NOT underneath the dignity and economic problems of the great scholar.
Tenure IS NOT retirement at age
40
Excellence IS NOT arrogance.
Equality of scientific stars IS NOT democracy
and mediocre practitioners
Sacred Cows
Government
Local
Tuition
Philanthropy
Endowment
Research Grants
Intellectual Property
Extras
Educate Scholars
Train Professionals
Basic Research
Applied Research
Social Problems
Industry
School System
Other
Diversity
Resources Tasks
Egalitarian
Government Students, Graduates, Fields, Degrees, Research
Local Regional Interests
Tuition Crucial, Uniform, Social Service, Loans
Differentiating
Philanthropy Quality, Attraction, Special Contributions, PR
Endowment Vision, Age, Loyalty, Investment Policy
Research Grants Excellence, Benefit, International impact
Intellectual Property Excellence, Aggressive Policy, Discipline
Extras Real Estate, Industrial Parks, Adult Training
Resources
Egalitarian
Government Students, Graduates, Fields, Degrees, Research
Local Regional Interests
Tuition Crucial, Uniform, Social Service, Loans
Differentiating
Philanthropy Quality, Attraction, Special Contributions, PR
Endowment Vision, Age, Loyalty, Investment Policy
Research Grants Excellence, Benefit, International impact
Intellectual Property Excellence, Aggressive Policy, Discipline
Extras Real Estate, Industrial Parks, Adult Training
Resources
Egalitarian
Government Students, Graduates, Fields, Degrees, Research
Local Regional Interests
Tuition Crucial, Uniform, Social Service, Loans
Differentiating
Philanthropy Quality, Attraction, Special Contributions, PR
Endowment Vision, Age, Loyalty, Investment Policy
Research Grants Excellence, Benefit, International impact
Intellectual Property Excellence, Aggressive Policy, Discipline
Extras Real Estate, Industrial Parks, Adult Training
Resources
Egalitarian
Government Students, Graduates, Fields, Degrees, Research
Local Regional Interests
Tuition Crucial, Uniform, Social Service, Loans
Differentiating
Philanthropy Quality, Attraction, Special Contributions, PR
Endowment Vision, Age, Loyalty, Investment Policy
Research Grants Excellence, Benefit, International impact
Intellectual Property Excellence, Aggressive Policy, Discipline
Extras Real Estate, Industrial Parks, Adult Training
Resources
Educate Scholars Classical, No Need to Cover All, Multidisciplinary
Train Professionals Research not Mandatory, Guest Professorse-Learning
Basic Research Diversified Sources, Priorities, Patenting, Risks
Applied Research Cover the Entire Road from "R" to "D"
Social Problems Field Action
Industry Training Students and Employees, Projects
School System Curriculum, Materials, Teacher Training
Other
Tasks
Educate Scholars Classical, No Need to Cover All, Multidisciplinary
Train Professionals Research not Mandatory, Guest Professorse-Learning
Basic Research Diversified Sources, Priorities, Patenting, Risks
Applied Research Cover the Entire Road from "R" to "D"
Social Problems Field Action
Industry Training Students and Employees, Projects
School System Curriculum, Materials, Teacher Training
Other
Tasks
Educate Scholars Classical, No Need to Cover All, Multidisciplinary
Train Professionals Research not Mandatory, Guest Professorse-Learning
Basic Research Diversified Sources, Priorities, Patenting, Risks
Applied Research Cover the Entire Road from "R" to "D"
Social Problems Field Action
Industry Training Students and Employees, Projects
School System Curriculum, Materials, Teacher Training
Other
Tasks
Morally and Economically Right.
Should it Depend on Subject?
Should it Depend on Income?
How Much?
Tuition
The Magic Formula:
PERACH + Loan
Fundraising Is an Art, not a Science
Give and Take
Integrity
Buildings, Facilities, Lecture Halls, Wings, Projects
Endowment: Chairs, Fellowships, Research Centers
Courage and Vision to Prefer Endowment
Investing the Endowment
Philanthropy and Endowment
Do Not Change Goals of University
Have Clear and Strict Rules
Share Any Income of Any Kind with Scientist
Scientists Should Lead Effort
In Case of Doubt, Issue a Patent
Don't Sell too Early
Don’t Allow a Conflict of Interest with the Scientist
Fight with Industry, When Necessary
Intellectual Property
Diverse Funding:Internal PhilanthropicIndustrialRegionalNationalInternational
Priorities
Risks
International Standards
Basic Research
The Research Group as a "Start-up"
The Education System is a Pyramid
Curriculum, Texts, Software, Methods
Teacher Training and Support
Extracurricular Activities
General Public
The School System
Education is too Important to be Left to the Educators
Education
Basic Research
Social Problems 10-20 Years
Industry Development
Schools
Political Horizon ----- Next Election
Hence: Either change nothing
or frequent instant reforms !
Time Scale
