Global Perspectives and Strategies of Asia-Pacific Research Universities

Globalization is the tendency towards convergence and integration on the world scale (Held, et al., 1999). All research universities are now immersed in processes of globalization. This is directly apparent in the power of the global research system in local affairs. The drive to publish in journals with international standing is now universal to the science disciplines in research universities. Another global system is apparent in the impact of university comparisons and rankings on the local and national status of universities. A comparative survey by Ellen Hazelkorn (2008) for the OECD showed that comparative rankings and research output metrics have been quickly adopted in the visions, performance measurement systems and policy goals of both national governments and institutions. Furthermore, they enter the funding decisions of corporations and donors, and affect student choices. Globalization is also apparent in the growing mobility of students and faculty (Enders and De Weert, 2009). In this regard, between 2000 and 2007 the number of cross-border students increased by 59%, an annual rate of 7%, reaching a total three million a year (OECD, 2009, p. 312). Doctoral student mobility and the short-term movement of faculty are also growing although the trend in long–term academic migration is less clear (Marginson, 2009). Policy borrowing and the partial convergence in policy frameworks and organizational templates, albeit with national and local rhythms and variations (King, 2009), are other forms of globalization in higher education.