Social Inclusion of University Systems as a Ranking Criteria – Implications and Conclusions

A study of the Lisbon Council of 2008 concerning ranking of international university systems based on OECD-data proposes disadvantages for Austria and Germany: both university systems would produce too few and often “overqualified” graduates. In contrast, Anglo-Saxon and Nordic countries with enrolment rates in university level education of 60 to 80 per cent of an age cohort are treated as benchmarks of inclusive higher education systems which meet the needs of knowledge societies. Due to the lack of substantial standards of comparison the study neglects the high degree of diversity of educational systems and the role of university level education within them. The paper underlines the need for more “realism” of comparative data and indicators as the starting point for discussions about modernising tertiary education in various national contexts.

30.01.2010 | Arthur Schneeberger (Wien)