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Beijing Forum 2009 Panel Session:
Higher Education under the Financial
Crisis: Strategies and Development
By Qin Yixiao
PKU NEWS 2009—11—08
http://ennews.pku.edu.cn/news.php?s=257689281
Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2009: On Nov 6th, 2009, professors
from different countries around the world had a heated discussion focused on higher
education under the financial crisis on the panel on higher education of Beijing
Forum 2009. Ten professors from US, China, UK, Netherlands and India delivered
speeches about their research about higher education and their strategies for the
development of universities, and exchanged constructive ideas with each other.
As was mentioned in most of the speeches, the global economic crises had been has
unevenly affecting colleges and universities in most countries. Government had cut
funding to public colleges and universities, and many institutions are implementing
cost saving measures such as hiring freezes. Private donations and entrepreneurial
activities on higher education were also far from satisfactory. Since the recession
had hit many families, tuition fees had became a burden for some students, which
made it difficult for universities, especially private institutions to set tuition low
enough to compete for students. Moreover college students were facing the big
challenge that they were more likely than before to fail to find jobs.
Facing the tough situation and the economic challenges, all the professors stressed
the importance of innovations made by universities. As Prof. David J. Skorton
pointed out, ―The increasing cost of higher education is such a substantial problem,
however, particularly given the effect of the recession on students, families and
contributors, that budget shortfalls cannot be addressed simply by increasing
revenues. Universities in the 21st century will have to think much more carefully
about priority setting and strategic planning in order to live within their means while
maintaining excellence and allowing room and flexibility for innovation.‖
Some practical and creative solutions were proposed in the session. In terms of the
improvement of teaching facilities and technologies, Prof. Marshall S. Smith
introduced the integration of technology into classrooms, which means to create new
online and open-source courses in community colleges so that more classes can be
offered without increasing construction costs or hiring new faculty. When asked
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