Mapping Diversity: Developing a European Classification of ... - U-Map

Case Study: University of Strathclyde
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Introduction
The purpose of the case study was:
• to assess the potential use of a European classifi cation;
• to fi nd out to what extent the dimensions and indicators are seen to be relevant and feasible;
• to fi nd out to what extent the necessary data would be available or could be produced.
General issues
The University is an old Scottish university, having its roots in the technological fi elds. During the last
half century, the scope of the university was expanded into a university with fi ve faculties (Education;
Engineering; Law, arts & social science; Science; and a Business school). The university has a
focus on entrepreneurship and on ‘useful learning’.
The potential role of a European Classifi cation of Institutions of Higher Education was discussed
in the context of the use and abuse of international league tables. These league tables, especially
the Shanghai one are very much focused on the American model of a research university. In many
Asian higher education systems (the systems where potentially most international students come
from) this model is seen as the dominant and best model. A European classifi cation of higher
education institutions, if it is robust and trustworthy, may serve to challenge the dominance of the
American model and to put the European model on the international stage.
The main use of a classifi cation would be to contribute to the identifi cation of robust benchmarks.
Nowadays, the benchmarks are identifi ed based on potentially outdated views and perceptions.
Specialised higher education institutions, like the University of Strathclyde, have a problem identifying
those. The use of league tables is not very helpful in this respect. The main impact the league
tables have is on the recruitment of international (undergraduate) students and on international
MBA students. A robust classifi cation would help to overcome the problems of the league tables
But the issue is not only an international one: it also has a national/ UK dimension. The bulk of the
competitors/ potential benchmark institutions are located within the UK. The international student
market is becoming more and more important, but it is also essential for the internal market to have
a robust instrument to identify the benchmark institutions.
The university is developing a new strategy in which the performance of the departments and
academic services are under scrutiny. The perception that the University’s position was deteriorating
was partly fed by the information from the national rankings. The use of a classifi cation as a
benchmark fi nding tool would improve the institutions capacity to better position itself and act on
that information.
Another area where a trustworthy classifi cation would be very welcome is the international recruitment
of students. The university’s experience is that applications from international students, and more
specifi cally Asian students are very much infl uenced by (changes in) the position of the university
in international rankings (like the Shanghai and Times Higher rankings).
The use of a classifi cation may play a role in fundraising but here, the impact of a classifi cation is
expected to be limited. The bulk of fundraising activities is related to specifi c projects and has a
predominantly regional or local focus.
MAPPING DIVERSITY