Universities in the twenty-first century

Abstract

As an institution, the university has a longer span of life than that of any of its individual members. It was there before most of its present members entered it, and will continue to be there after they leave it. This appearance of continuity masks the many changes taking place both in the internal structure of the university and in its relationship with its environment. My focus here will be on the changes taking place in the university both as a centre of learning and as a social institution. We understand what these changes portend for the future only if we take a longer-term view of them than is usually done in such discussions. I will not discuss about any university in particular but about universities in general, and will not confine to universities in India but also refer to universities in other