The idea of a university is one that has been passed on over centuries, and has remained remarkably stable over time. Indeed, the university - in its corporate structure and mission - has been a success model. It is one of the very few institutions in global history having survived the passing of time despite profound political, economic, and cultural transformations - not least during the seventy years of IAU’s existence. In the past and present, universities have shown to be drivers, mediators, and critical observers of change. In doing so, we ask how the universities have come to be contemporarily resilient and adaptable.

Moreover, the mission of universities today is, simply put, to research, teach, and serve society. But this is an evolution that has taken place in stages. This webinar wishes to discuss the changing mission of universities over time, and dares to ask how the university’s past might inform its future.

Panelists:

Sheldon Rothblatt, Professor of History Emeritus and former Director of the Center for Studies in Higher Education, University of California - Berkeley, USA.

Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, Vice-Chancellor, United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.

Christine Musselin, Research Director, CNRS, Sciences Po, France.

Moderators:

Andreas Corcoran, Deputy Secretary-General, IAU.

Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary-General, IAU.

Watch the recording here on the IAU Youtube page.