PROBLEMS AND PRIORITIES OF RUSSIAN HIGHER EDUCATION

A wide‐ranging discussion of the problems facing Russian higher education in the period of transition is introduced. Although enrollment and employment levels in higher education continue to be high and have not suffered the sorts of cuts as in the other sectors of the Russian economy, much must be done to increase the efficiency of the system. For the author, the key to increased modernization and efficiency is increased reliance on the information technologies in all areas of teaching, learning, and research. She cites the case of World University in California that is completely an on line operation even while arguing that certain elements of traditional higher education should be retained in the Russian Federation. She is persuaded that both humanistic and scientific subjects and programmes can benefit from informatization. The result will be a world‐class higher education system for Russia.     

ACADEMIC DRIFT AND BLURRING OF BOUNDARIES IN SYSTEMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

A tendency towards academic drift and the blurring of boundaries exists in most differentiated higher education institutions as faculty members, particularly in non‐university sector institutions, seek to emulate the research paradigm of universities. As non‐university sector institutions perform essential educational and training roles in meeting the labour requirements of complex developed societies, their specific characteristics and functions must be protected. The best way to guarantee protection is to maintain the separate administrative identities of non‐university sector institutions and to encourage an ethos favouring such separation.     

SOME PROBLEMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN GERMANY

The underlying premise of this article is that the best way to become acquainted with higher education in Germany is to discuss its problems. Such problems as expanding enrollments, the role of research and teaching, the link between higher education and future employment, the question of the supposed equality of German universities, the link between regional development and higher education, and the question of the duration of studies are briefly discussed in light of the tension between the universities and the Fachhochschulen. The hint is made that the Fachhochschulen are more successful pedagogically than are the universities.     

ADOPTION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION OF STUDIES/ DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE ARAB AND EUROPEAN STATES BORDERING ON THE MEDITERRANEAN

Increasing international attention to the need for mobility of persons who are engaged in higher education has led to a number of developments at the international level. The international recognition of studies, diplomas and degrees is a necessary prerequisite for the broadening of international co‐operation in the field of higher education. The Convention on the International Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab and European States bordering on the Mediterranean, adopted in Nice on 17 December 1976, is an important step towards further expansion of international co‐operation in higher education.

We give below information concerning this convention and selected unarticles from the Convention itself relating to definitions, implementation, documentation, ratification, accession and entry into force.     

HIGHER EDUCATION IN RELATION TO PROBLEMS OF ENVIRONMENT

The first Intergovernmental Conference on Environmental Education convened by Unesco was held in Tbilisi (the Georgian SSRT USSR) from 14 to 26 October 1977. The Conference was organized by. Unesco in . co‐operation with the United Nations Environment “Programme (UNEP).

The Conference had the following main points on its agenda: major environmental problems in contemporary society; role of education in facing the challenges of environmental problems; current efforts at the national and international levels for the development of environmental education; strategies for the development of environmental education at the national level; regional and international co‐operation for the development of environmental education: needs and modalities.

The following information is based on those parts of the Final Report of this Conference which are of special importance in the planning, formulation and organization of environmental education in higher education institutions in the European region.     

ADOPTION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION OF STUDIES,DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE ARAB AND EUROPEAN STATES BORDERING ON THE MEDITERRANEAN

Increasing international attention to the need for mobility of per‐sons who are engaged in higher education has led to a number of developments at the international level. The international recognition of studies, diplomas and degrees is a necessary prerequisite for the broadening of international co‐operation in the field of higher education. The Convention on the International Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab and European States bordering on the Mediterranean, adopted in Nice on 17 December 1976, is an important step towards further expansion of international co‐operation in higher education.

We give below information concerning this convention and selected articles from the Convention itself relating to definitions, implementation, documentation, ratification, accession and entry into force.     

RECENT TRENDS AND CURRENT PROBLEMS IN USA HIGHER EDUCATION

In the following article, Professor John D. Millett, Vice‐President of the USA Academy of Educational Development, points out major trends and problems of higher education in the United States, especially in the context of structural economic changes. Many issues discussed in this article will also effect American higher education in the 1980s.

The article is based on a paper Professor Millett presented at the International Seminar on Efficiency of Higher Education (Nieborow, 25‐28 September 1979), (Editor's Note: In No.1, January‐March 1980 of “Higher Education in Europe” other papers delivered at this meeting were presented, as well as the summary of the seminar's discussions.)     

HIGHER EDUCATION IN ITALY ‐‐ PRESENT SITUATION AND PROBLEMS

The present tension in Italy's universities is attributable mainly to the following factors:

• the higher education system was changed during the 1960s to cater for the masses rather than just the élite, without there being any corresponding expansion of academic facilities, teaching staff and social services;

• changes in educational policies led to strains in the student‐professor relationship, and ‐ a sharp rise in youth unemployment has lowered student expectations and bred resentment among higher education graduates.

Below we present information analysing this situation, with special regard to the position of students, and including proposals for changes which would improve the condition of higher education in Italy.     

PROBLEMS OF EXPANSION AND CHANGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: AN ENGLISH VIEW

The rôle and functions of higher education institutions in the situation of, expanded demand for higher education and an explosive increase in knowledge, particularly in science and technology, is an issue of great societal interest. We give below extracts from a report analysing these problems in the context and experience of higher education in the United Kingdom. The report was prepared for the Council of Europe's Council for Cultural Cooperation Educational Research Symposium by Lord James of Rusholme. The Symposium was held in Granada from 4 to 7 October 1977.