Building world-class universities:
implications, strategies and challenges for Higher Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24220/2318-0870v30a2025e15965Keywords:
Higher education, Internationalization, International rankings, World-class universityAbstract
The search for academic excellence has led higher education institutions to adopt strategies to become world-class universities. The concept, widely promoted by international organizations such as the World Bank, emphasizes the concentration of talent, an abundance of resources, and efficient governance. This study aims to critically analyze the concept of world-class university, its internationalization strategies and public-private partnerships, in addition to the impacts of international rankings on higher education. Methodologically, the research is based on a documentary analysis of the World Bank report (2009) and related studies, adopting a critical perspective based on the sociology of education. The results indicate that, although world-class universities can boost global competitiveness, its adoption without adaptations to the local context can compromise the inclusion and autonomy of universities. It is concluded that it is essential to balance academic excellence and social equity to ensure sustainable and accessible higher education.
Downloads
References
Barreyro, G.B.; Lima, M.F.B. UFABC: da universidade nova à universidade de classe mundial? REVELLI - Revista de Educação, Linguagem e Literatura, v. 13, 2021. Doi: https://doi.org/10.51913/revelli.v13i0.12177.
Bernheim, C.T. La educación superior en el siglo XXI: visión desde América Latina. [S. l.]: UNESCO, 2008. Disponível em: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000157989. Acesso em: 23 abr. 2025.
Bindé, J. O Processo de Bolonha e a Globalização da Educação Superior. Antecedentes. Implementação e repercussões no quefazer dos trabalhadores da educação. Campinas: Mercado de Letras, 2007.
Brown, S. China Challenges the West in StemCell Research: Unconstrained by Public Debate, Cities Like Shanghai and Beijing Lure Scientists with New Laboratories and Grants. Chronicle of Higher Education, v. 53, p. A14A18, 2007.
Dagnino, R. Tecnociência solidária: uma estratégia de conhecimento voltada para a inclusão social. Marília: Lutas Anticapital, 2004. Disponível em: https://base.socioeco.org/docs/2019-10-dagnino-final-v8.pdf. Acesso em: 23 abr. 2025.
Dowbor, L. O que é capital. [S. l.: s. n.]: 2002. Disponível em: https://dowbor.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/03quecap.pdf. Acesso em: 23 abr. 2025.
Frigotto. G. A produtividade da escola improdutiva. [S. l.]: Cortez, 1995. Disponível em: https://pt.scribd.com/document/417357523/Frigotto-Produtividade-Da-Escola-Improdutiva. Acesso em: 23 abr. 2025.
Gibbons, M. et al. The new production of knowledge: the dynamics of science and research in contemporary societies. London: SAGE Publications, 1994.
Marginson, S. The new geo-politics of higher education: Global cooperation, nacional competition and social inequality in the World-Class University (WCU) sector. London: UCL Institute of Education, 2018. p.18-41. (Working paper n. 34).
Rawolle, S.; Lingard, B. Bourdieu e a pesquisa educacional: ferramentas de pensamento, pensamento relacional para além da inocência epistemológica. Latitude, v. 17, n. 2, 2023.
Salmi, J. El desafío de crear universidades de rango mundial. Colômbia: Mayol Ediciones, 2009. Disponível em: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/805521468337255850/pdf/476100SPANISH0101OFFICIAL0USE0ONLY1.pdf. Acesso em: 8 jan. 2025.
Santos, B.S. A Universidade no Século XXI: para uma reforma democrática e emancipatória da Universidade. São Paulo: Cortez, 2005.
Sguissardi, V. Rumo à universidade mundial - e a universidade será feita à sua imagem e semelhança. Brasília: INEP/MEC, 2005. p. 7-28, Disponível em: https://td.inep.gov.br/ojs3/index.php/td/article/view/3842. Acesso em: 8 jan. 2025.
Shangai Ranking. 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities. [S. l.]: ShanghaiRanking, 2024. Disponível em: https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2024. Acesso em: 22. jan. 2025.
Slaughter, S.; Leslie, L.L. Academic capitalism: politics, policies, and the entrepreneurial university. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.
Thiengo, L.C.; Almeida, M.L.; Bianchetti, L. Universidades de Classe Mundial no contexto Latino-Americano e Caribenho: o que dizem os Organismos Internacionais. Educação em Revista, v. 35, n. 76, p. 259-278, 2019. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-4060.65341.
Thiengo, L.C.; Bianchetti, L. Universidades de classe mundial e a ideologia da excelência: tendências globais e locais. Educação em Perspectiva, v. 9, n. 2, p. 241-258, 2018. Doi: https://doi.org/10.22294/eduper/ppge/ufv.v9i1.985.
Times Higher Education. World University Rankings 2025. [S. l.]: THE, 2025. Disponível em: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking. Acesso em: 22 jan. 2025.
Yamamoto, E. USP sobe e fica entre as 200 melhores do mundo no ranking da Times Higher Education. Jornal da USP, São Paulo, 2024. Disponível em: https://jornal.usp.br/institucional/the-ranking-2025. Acesso em: 22 jan. 2025.
