This document discusses defining and recognizing a world-class university. It outlines that scholars believe world-class universities demonstrate excellence in educating students, conducting research and disseminating knowledge, and contributing to society through activities like conferences and publications. They also utilize state-of-the-art technologies. Key factors in becoming a world-class university include concentrating talent among students, faculty and researchers; having abundant resources; producing impactful research; and operating under a supportive and autonomous governance structure. The document examines characteristics of top universities and paths for other institutions to potentially achieve world-class status through upgrading, mergers, or establishing new universities.

1. Defining a World Class University
Rick Van Sant
Blackboard International

2. What
do
you
think
a
World
Class
University
is?

3. Defining
the
World
Class
University
• self-­‐declara=on
• reputa=on
• rankings

4. Research
says
that
Scholars
think
that
it
is:
• Excellence
in
the
educa=on
of
their
students;
• Research,
development
and
dissemina=on
of
knowledge;
•
Ac=vi=es
contribu=ng
to
the
cultural,
scien=fic,
and
civic
life
of
society.
• State
of
the
art
Technologies

5. Excellence
in
the
educa=on
of
their
students
This
goal
requires
outstanding
faculty,
high
quality
teaching
and
other
instruc=onal
ac=vi=es,
and
availability
of
good
libraries,
laboratories,
and
other
per=nent
facili=es
as
well
as
highly
prepared
and
mo=vated
students
who
serve
to
educate
through
their
peer
influence.

6. Research,
development
and
dissemina=on
of
knowledge
Refers
to
the
embryonic
iden=fica=on,
growth,
and
extension
of
concepts
and
ideas
as
well
as
their
transforma=on
into
applica=ons,
goods,
and
services
that
enhance
understanding
and
welfare

7. Ac=vi=es
contribu=ng
to
the
cultural,
scien=fic,
and
civic
life
of
society
Ac=vi=es
contribu=ng
to
the
cultural,
scien=fic,
and
civic
life
of
society
are
many
and
varied,
but
include
conferences,
publica=ons,
ar=s=c
events
and
forums
as
well
as
provision
of
services
(e.g.
medical
clinics
and
hospitals
or
museums)
that
engage
and
contribute
to
the
larger
community
including
the
regional,
na=onal,
and
interna=onal

8. State
of
the
Art
Technologies
Technologies
impact
all
aspects
of
a
University.
A
comprehensive
digital
business
culture
makes
a
technologically
enhanced
learning
environment
more
easily
accepted
by
the
professoriate.

9. how
do
you
recognize
a
world-­‐class
university?
• everyone
wants
one
• no
one
knows
what
it
is
• no
one
knows
how
to
get
one

10. Characteris7cs
of
a
World-­‐Class
University
Alignment
of
Key
Factors
Concentration
of Talent
Students
Teaching Staff
Researchers
Abundant
Resources
Graduates
WCU
Public Budget Resources
Endowment Revenues
Tuition Fees
Research Grants
Research Output
Technology
Transfer
Supportive
Regulatory
Framework
Autonomy
Academic Freedom
Leadership Team
Strategic Vision
Culture of Excellence
Source:
Elaborated
by
Jamil
Salmi
Favorable
Governance

11. University
Undergraduate
Students
Graduate
Students
Share of
Graduate
Students (%)
Harvard
7,002
10,094
59
Stanford
6,442
11,325
64
MIT
4,066
6,140
60
Oxford
11,106
6,601
37
Cambridge
12,284
6,649
35
4,254
4,386
51
Beijing
14,662
16,666
53
Tokyo
15,466
12,676
45
LSE

12. interna=onal
dimensions
• foreign
students
– Harvard
(19%)
– Cambridge
(18%)
• foreign
faculty
– Harvard
(30%)
– Oxford
(36%)
– Cambridge
(33%)

13. favorable
governance
• freedom
from
civil
service
rules
(human
resources,
procurement,
financial
management)
• management
autonomy
• selec=on
of
leadership
team
• independent
Board
with
outside
representa=on

14.
the
path
to
glory
• upgrading
exis=ng
ins=tu=ons
• mergers
• crea=ng
a
new
ins=tu=on

15. UPGRADE
• less
costly
• challenge
of
crea=ng
a
culture
of
excellence
• focus
on
governance
MERGERS
• poten=al
synergies:
1+1=3
• clash
of
ins=tu=onal
cultures
NEW
UNIVERSITIES
• higher
costs
• ge^ng
the
right
culture
from
the
beginning

16. THANK YOU
Rick
Van
Sant,
Ph.D.
rick.vansant@blackboard.com