In February of this year, The New York Times ran the first of a series of articles, which will explore the expansion of US Universities abroad. In describing the global expansion plans of New York University and other prestigious U.S. institutions of higher learning, the article observes, “The American system of higher education, long the envy of the world, is becoming and important export as more universities take their programs overseas.” Is this good US trade policy?
When reading this long and detailed article, I was surprised that in all the discussion of the pros and cons supporting and detracting this emerging education initiative, there is not one mention of the interests of current or future generations of US students. Equally sad, none of the educators quoted in the article seems to consider the impact that this policy of educational globalization will have on American citizens workers.
Instead, the discussion among the education establishment seems more narrowly focused on the prestige and reach of American universities, on becoming better known, better funded, gaining more powerful alumni, and providing more opportunities for faculty to teach abroad. It’s as though the institutions, many of which receive vast amounts of public funding and support, exist only to enhance themselves. Have our students been lost in the equation?
One has only to tune in to any of the political debates this year to hear or read about the outflow of US jobs to foreign outposts. Traditionally, the enlightened response to many of these concerns has been that we need to do a better job of educating our workforce, to prepare our people for more highly skilled, and typically better paying, careers. The trade policy notion has been that the loss of low paying jobs is not in and of itself a bad thing, if it is offset by the creation of better paying jobs and the creation of a work force which can meet these needs.
But now our educators, in the rush to join the Globalization juggernaut, would like to export our educational know-how, and disperse, world-wide, the knowledge, skills and training that have long been seen as the foundation upon which to build a better American workplace and to elevate the American standard of living.
While enriching the educational institutions with large contributions, new campuses and global centers, do we risk cheapening the learning and degrees that up until now have helped generations of American students compete in the world economy? Moreover, are we transferring valuable educational know-how without recognizing its economic worth?
Perhaps it’s time to take a closer look at our nation’s education policy, to understand its relationship to our nation’s ability to afford good lives to our people and continue to compete in the global market place. We need to give this national resource the respect it deserves and treat it as a precious resource.
What do you think?
