The overarching theme of the 2000 symposia has been globalization and its effects on

universities. (The term “university” should be understood as shorthand for the increasingly

broad spectrum of higher education institutions, or HEIs. These terms are used largely

interchangeably in this report.) The symposia have examined the phenomenon through the

prism of the five Universities Projects topics:

1. University management and finance
2. Academic structure and governance within the university
3. Meeting student needs
4. Technology in higher education
5. The role of the university in the emerging civil society

Discussion at the September symposium built upon themes discussed at previous symposia,

but with a new emphasis. Rather than focus on issues of immediate concern to present

university leadership, the symposium considered whether the “threat” of globalization is, in

fact, an opportunity to create a new paradigm for higher education policy. Participants

discussed possible strategies as well as factors shaping universities’ future. Reflecting the new

emphasis, 10 faculty led the 40 fellows-chosen from the ranks of the next generation of

university leaders-through an intensive program of plenary sessions and working groups. In

all, 16 countries in Europe, the Russian Federation, North America, China and South Africa,

as well as a number of international organizations, were represented.