Sir Newby remarked that private sector is playing a greater role in
the “massification of education” since the public funding is not able
to match the demands of higher education. He remarked that in the
1960s, only seven per cent of the student age group was enrolled in
higher education in the United Kingdom, whereas the percentage has
grown to 45 per cent. He added that there is a growing realization that
one of the key elements in global economic competitiveness is the
quality of human resources. Higher education is a major driver of the
knowledge economy, both by producing knowledge, and by producing
skilled graduates that use that knowledge, Sir Newby said.
He identified market forces and competition; quality, standards and
performance; and international benchmarking as key challenges to higher
education in a globalized society. Referring to the role of
governments, Sir Newby remarked that while initially the “role of the
government was to provide purpose of universities,” today the “role of
universities is to provide purpose of government.” He identified
reconciliation between massification of education with quality
enhancement as a key challenge along with issues of accountability,
league tables and regulation. Sir Newby identified teaching; research;
knowledge exchange and transfer; along with social inclusion as the key
functions of higher education in the twenty first century.
Earlier Prof. Said Irandoust, President, AIT welcomed Prof. Newby.
Among those who graced the occasion included members of AIT’s Executive
Committee, Ms. Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham, Director and Executive
Director, Siam Commercial Bank Public Co., Ltd.; Mr. John W. Hancock,
Honorary Chairman and Senior Advisor of Baker and McKenzie Co., Ltd.
Thailand; and Mr. Maris Samaram, AIT Board Member and Chairman of the
Audit Committee, Siam Commercial Bank PCL.
