Authors: Christina Chow, Clement Leung

Redefining University Leadership for the 21st Century

eBook: US $39 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $93
Printed Copy: US $73
Library License: US $156
ISBN: 978-1-68108-750-4 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-68108-749-8 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2018
DOI: 10.2174/97816810874981180101

Introduction

In a constantly changing economic environment, higher education institutions need to adapt in order to be relevant to their stakeholders and the society. The unpredictable landscape also demands a fresh approach as university presidents are increasingly subject to high resolution and three-dimensional scrutiny. Instead of relying on last century’s old management mindset, university leaders must build institutions that are agile and flexible, which can continuously learn to adapt to the changing environment. Redefining University Leadership for the 21st Century is a treatise on the challenges universities face in current times. Readers will understand, in three parts, the heart of what makes a great university.

The initial part of the book covers the market failures and the management practices that have led to the erosion of confidence in universities among stakeholders. The authors examine the consequences of market failures caused by the marketization of higher education: an oversupply of graduates, student dissatisfaction, mismatch between qualifications and needed skills, student disillusionment, and the diminishing return on investments by students and their families.

Next, authors offer concrete advice on how universities can future-proof university graduates in this fast-changing world of the fourth industrial revolution and artificial intelligence. The authors also provide valuable strategies to help university leaders to lead effectively in this uncertain world with a concluding case study on the University of Hong Kong.

With its clear, logical and concise presentation, Redefining University Leadership for the 21st Century is a must-read for anyone who leads, works or studies in a university, or is interested in current trends in the higher education sector.

Preface

In our 2016 book, Reshaping Universities for Survival in the 21st Century: New Opportunities and Paradigms, we described the landscape of higher education and the challenges facing universities. We reflected on the unintended consequences of competition and marketization, such as ballooning student debt, graduate unemployment, and academic capitalism. In this follow-up book, we examine in greater detail the consequences of market failures caused by the marketization of higher education: an oversupply of graduates, the exploitation of PhD students for cheap labor, student dissatisfaction, the mismatch between qualifications and needed skills, student disillusionment, and the diminishing return on investments by students and their families. These failures have all contributed to society’s loss of confidence in universities. The marketable “excellence” of universities is artificially based on ranking metrics which neglect the core academic mission of teaching. The volume of research produced has had poor outcomes and only served to enhance ranking metrics. Poor management and bloated administration are major causes of high fees and student unaffordability. While student demand declines in the West, China strives to be the world’s new science superpower. Meanwhile, there is the omnipresent threat of disruption by new technologies.

In our narrative, our purpose has been to search for the quintessence of the idea of a university, the key principle which has enabled the institution to survive. We explain how universities can future-proof university graduates in this fast-changing world and contribute to the public good. We argue that the old managerial models are incompatible with the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world (VUCA) we now face. Finally, we offer strategies for university leaders to lead effectively in the VUCA era, illustrated by a case study.

Christina Chow
RMIT University Melbourne,
Melbourne
Australia

&

Clement Leung
Victoria University,
Melbourne
Australia