How Should Universities be Responding to the Fast-changing Professional and Vocational Worlds?

Universities are currently facing an acute crisis of identity. The focus on traditional and academic courses is being redirected to vocational programmes. Universities are turning to industry to sponsor research, and even courses, in a drive towards educational privatisation. Such a dependence could lead to pedagogic compromise. The successful graduate in vocational subjects will be defined by their ability to transfer essential skills to a fluctuating professional arena. It is only by continuous, and a responsive, alliance with the market that we can build course that are relevant to industry but also preserve their pedagogic integrity.