Transcript Educational Management in Europe and Relationships to U.S. Higher Education in Economics

OBSERVATIONS
ABOUT HIGHER
EDUCATION IN THE
US
1
PETER MAYER, CURRENTLY UW OSHKOSH
HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE US
AT A HIGH LEVEL
Universities here provide wonderful
conditions for students and staff.
Lecture halls, class size, teaching aides,
dormitories, recreational facilities,,
services are all excellent.
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
2
Facilities for academics are excellent.
TOTAL SPENDING FOR HIGHER
EDUCATION
The US is among the top three
countries in terms of spending for
higher education. This is wonderful
and positive in terms of preparing the
society for the future.
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
3
When looking at the contribution of
the private and public sector, it is the
private contribution which makes the
difference.
LOANS AND HIGHER EDUCATION
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
4
It is difficult for Europeans to
appreciate your model of financing of
higher education with respect of
student loans and students getting
into considerable debt.
TESTING AND LEARNING
PROGRESS
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
5
Your testing culture is unique. There
has been an interesting development
of techniques. We can learn from
this. But.
LEARNING HOW TO
WRITE
In Germany, a bachelor program
cannot be accredited without
including a major thesis at the end of
the program. Writing a thesis with 4060 pages is typically considered like
the crown on the educational path.
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
6
May be this is something you could
introduce as well.
INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION
Most European universities have a more
pronounced interest in international
matters. International semesters
integrated into the program, joint
summer universities, internships abroad,
joint bachelor or master programs are
almost standard.
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
7
I feel that Wisconsin plays below its
potential.
BACHELOR, MASTER AND PHD
AS STANDARD
The introduction of the bachelor and
master degrees (Bologna process)
brought about fundamental change: new
programs, new structures, new
components such as credit points,
modular systems.
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
8
The system is still seen controversially.
WHO SHOULD CONTINUE WITH
A MASTER DEGREE?
Some argue that the vast majority
should finish with the master degree.
The bachelor students, so their view,
are not ready for the labor market,
both in terms of skills and age.
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
9
What about this discussion in the US?
SUPPORTING THE
WEAK STUDENTS
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
10
Services for weak students are
impressive. Germans might learn from
you. At the same time, most
professors would reject such an
approach.
There is a discussion in Germany
about the length of service of provosts,
chancellors and deans: Should we
have higher education management
experts, working over the years at
different universities, specializing on
managing universities? I feel your
system avoids some of the problems
we have, but has weaknesses as well.
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
11
PROFESSIONAL
LEADERSHIP
QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND
ACCREDITATION
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
12
The pros and cons of quality
management, this is a hot debate in
Germany and Europe. The natural
approach you seem to have here is far
away from our reality.
CRISIS OF TEACHING
ECONOMICS
The financial crisis in 2008 led to a broad
ongoing public debate about the failure
of economics and teaching economics.
Issues are:
-What is the role of mathematics?
-What is the role of ethics in our
curriculum?
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
13
-How much social skills is appropriate?
CRISIS OF TEACHING
ECONOMICS
How should we deal with the rationality
assumption in economics? Is more
behavioral economics the answer?
What do we learn from economic
progress in countries like China, India,
or Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark?
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
14
What do we learn from the failed
liberalization experiences. Should we
revisit the role of the state?
CRISIS OF TEACHING
ECONOMICS
Intensive debate whether we need a
redirection towards happiness and
happiness research.
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
15
Should teaching of economics be
more open towards a political science
perspective?
Fall 2012
Dr. Peter Mayer
16
THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE
MY OBSERVATIONS.