Higher education has responded positively and in a variety of ways to changing business and industrial needs, using imagination to establish cooperative relationships. In Ireland, identifying industry's workforce needs was central to successful cooperation. Bridging the two very different cultures has also required creation of an appropriate…

A collaborative research program in auger spectroscopy at the University of Liverpool (England) involved scientists from 12 universities and research groups in 5 European countries and financed with international funds is described. The experience of the collaborators suggests how similar projects might be initiated and managed. (Author/MSE)

Several types of institutional budgeting systems are examined, focusing on one type, revenue attribution budgeting. Implementation of such a system at the University of Utrecht (Netherlands) is described. Approaches to decentralization of operational units in the institution, as a means of reducing costs, and its advantages and disadvantages, are…

A discussion of higher education in eastern Europe begins with a description of the major European programs promoting international mobility for students and scholars and then examines reform efforts in the former Soviet Union, Poland, and former East Germany. Critical factors in the success of reforms are outlined. (MSE)

A discussion of distance education outlines its development, identifies its characteristics, and analyzes three existing program types and the needs they serve. The Irish National Distance Education Centre, which uses a cooperative approach with several institutions, is presented in greater detail. (MSE)

A description of the campuswide computer system at Aston University (England) includes a profile of the institution, the information technology strategy adopted, a current local networking project, information technology development priorities for the near future, the role of the library and information service, and management and organizational…

The consequences for the library of computerization at the University of Bradford (England) are examined. Options for the future development of library services are considered, with attention given to the lessons learned from and issues raised by the implementation of a new library system incorporating advances in information technology.…

A University of Vienna (Austria) staff development program that emphasizes the professionalization of university teaching and management is described. The approach integrates personnel evaluation, quality assessment, and staff development, which is also linked to institutional mission and identity. A benefit of the staff development seminars has…

A French program to train graduate assistants for college-level teaching is described. The project is designed to meet projected faculty needs and compensate for changes in the recruiting system. About 4,500 graduate teaching assistants are currently in the university system. Each receives a stipend, attends a training course, and has teaching…

A model combining formative and longitudinal program evaluation was applied to two programs (economics/business administration and engineering) at Uppsala University (Sweden) in which students are brought together after two years in regional institutions. Useful features of the evaluation method are discussed and results of job market follow-up…

UNESCO's recently implemented UNITWIN program of interuniversity cooperation around the world, particularly in developing countries, is described and its early accomplishments are assessed. The project is discussed in the context of general trends in higher education, including increased cooperation, growing educational needs, and demand for…

A portfolio model, using student evaluations and faculty publishing records, designed for classifying faculty at Ball State University (Indiana) is described, policy alternatives arising from the new method are examined, and a more general portfolio model using a variety of measures of teaching effectiveness and research activities is suggested.…

Efforts of Ball State University (Indiana) to internationalize its curriculum are described, focusing on the process used to develop a curriculum and on program considerations. Major problems addressed were student attitudes, faculty expectations, and institutional budgetary constraints. Goals were identified for the curriculum, faculty/student…

A study of the faculty evaluation system at Nene College (England) is reported and compared with studies in other British universities. Evaluator, faculty, and administrator views of the program were generally positive, particularly concerning the opportunities the evaluation interviews present for discussing issues. Assessment by line manager…

Main features of the cyclical procedure used by the University of Geneva (Switzerland) to evaluate 75 teaching and research units (TRUs) over a 6-year cycle are that it covers teaching, research, and services simultaneously and combines self-evaluation, peer assessment, and use of a database on TRU resources and achievements. (Author/MSE)