Aims of higher education and effective utilisation of resources

Abstract

Some might think that there was a dichotomy between the two halves of the title of this article. They might wish to argue that it is possible to consider how resources in higher education might be used more effectively, without going into any detail in the consideration of the aims of higher education. Put in simple terms, it is exceedingly tempting to regard the throughput of students for a given expenditure as the criterion of effectiveness in higher education. Even then however we should have a concealed aim: namely, to maximise the number of students participating in higher education for a given cost. Unfortunately, such an aim is deficient in two respects. In the first place, it takes no account of standards — whether of teaching, of learning, of attainment, or of the general development of the student. Secondly, the maximisation of throughput is essentially a secondary objective, which can have no meaning without reference to a primary objective. Otherwise we beg the question of why we bother to provide higher education at all.

Citation

Fowler, G. (1976), "Aims of higher education and effective utilisation of resources", Education + Training, Vol. 18 No. 6, pp. 171-177. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb001922