For me, higher education is about generating new understanding and knowledge, and effectively bringing this to "people" in a way that it changes the way they think about and comprehend the world (and beyond, if your a Physicist or Astrobiologist/geologist). Some of these "people" are students of universities and colleges, but others are academic communities that are conducting extensive research projects and sharing their ideas and findings with peers and the public. In the best institutions of higher education students fall into both categories and are both learning about cutting edge advancements in many academic fields, but they are also designing their own research programs and pushing boundaries for themselves.

Administration and Service are support services for the activities described above.

Higher education is to produce life-long learners, who will have many different careers that we cannot now predict, because the careers do not exist today.

For me, higher education is about generating new understanding and knowledge, and effectively bringing this to "people" in a way that it changes the way they think about and comprehend the world (and beyond, if your a Physicist or Astrobiologist/geologist). Some of these "people" are students of universities and colleges, but others are academic communities that are conducting extensive research projects and sharing their ideas and findings with peers and the public. In the best institutions of higher education students fall into both categories and are both learning about cutting edge advancements in many academic fields, but they are also designing their own research programs and pushing boundaries for themselves.

Administration and Service are support services for the activities described above.

Higher education may serve to reduce early school leaving, increase social cohesion (see Europa 2020 targets).

@Marwan, I appreciate the definition and explanations of higher education given by AEGEE, one of Europe’s biggest interdisciplinary student organisations, striving for a democratic, diverse and borderless Europe. I will give a part of their definition, as well as link attached on higher education!

"To start with the definition of the term-Higher Education- In fact, There is no simple definition of higher education. The international definition of tertiary (post school) education divides it into two parts. Type A ( Higher Education) and Type B (Further Education). A higher education qualification at degree level takes a minimum of three years to complete, more typically four. It will have a theoretical underpinning, it will be at a level which would qualify someone to work in a professional field and it will usually be taught in an environment which also includes advanced research activity. Shortly, Higher education mainly and generally means university level education. It offers a number of qualifications ranging from Higher National Diplomas and Foundation Degrees to Honors Degrees and as further step, Postgraduate programmes such as Masters Degrees and Doctorates. These are recognized throughout the world as representing specialist expertise supported by a wide range of skills that employers find very useful. Further education is generally includes those post graduate studies in where you can gain your Master and Doctorate degrees.. "

http://www.wg.aegee.org/ewg/higheredu.htm

Higher education is to prepare learners to serve the community through the possession of basic skills that serve the community. Higher education helps learners to be beyond the walls of static skills and habits, to be more flexible and human.

Higher education is all about making more money. :-)

Higher education is about enabling the democratic system to function as it should.

For me higher education is all about generating new ideas and concept based on your knowledge. It is also about in-depth knowledge and understanding of subject and its effective application in real word.

Regards,

Nitish

It would be interesting to ask students this question. I think that many (most?) of them would respond as Ian Kennedy has suggested that they come to university so that they will get a job and make more money later. Who are we catering for? Summarizing what has been said here, we are catering for those who will be researchers, who will create and evaluate new ideas and knowledge and/or will serve the community and society. Is this what most of our students want? I doubt it, but if we can inspire them to think beyond the job and the immediate future and be able to cope with uncertainty and change; think of others and be innovative in our field then we will have done our job.

Whilst higher education can lead to more money - it is certainly not the quickest path nor a guarantee. My own experience - a few degrees and now working at university - compared to school friends who now own plumbing companies or building companies are evidence that it isn't only about the money (as suggested tongue-in-cheek I am sure by Ian). Unfortunately there may also be some truth in Ian's suggestion about it being about the money - however, this truth reflects the perspective of some educational providers in the higher or further education sector.

From a pragmatic point of view I think those involved in higher education need to acknowledge that in the current economic rationalist context that universities are about money, but then to try, where possible, to put this to one side and concentrate on the core values of education - social justice, knowledge generation, personal development and the like. It is a very fine line to tread whereby the integrity of higher education is maintained in times of economic rationalism - but it can be achieved.

Thanks, Kevin. You said it well.

I fully agree with Kevin Larkin that integrity of higher education should focus on core values of education - social justice, knowledge generation, personal development. Higher education programs include all of these however I observed that the problem lies in the implementation of higher education programs.

Also, I agree with Ian Kennedy that higher education is viewed in material context (money). This is a reality. The emergence of local and global accreditation that demands human resource development drives professionals to proceed to higher learning to meet accreditation requirement. There is no question on accreditation. Reasons for seeking accreditation vary.

Do inputs of higher learning institution such as facilities, faculty credentials and other areas equate the outputs such as quality of graduates, performance in professional licensure examination, employability of graduates, and contribution to society?

First of all, teaching is a profession not a job. The ultimate goal is to produce fine human capital that will increase productivity and efficiency, which leads to better standards of life for all.

Higher education institutions should focus on how students tackle issues of real life using reasoning and values.

Maturing in som way, learning to think and question, developing yourself.