Introduction
After completion of high school education students who perform well join colleges and universities. Therefore students enroll in faculties of their own choice depending on their abilities. Moreover, specialized training that prepares the student for a successful career begins and normally takes between three to four years (Stephens, et al 333).
Over time there has been major changes where institutions of higher education has been privatized, challenged by the increasing growth of technology and has had to expand due to changes in demography. The essay describes how colleges and university have changed over the last twenty years. It also explains why they have changed while giving examples.
How colleges and university changed over the last twenty years
Changes that have occurred in the higher education industry include privatization of the industry. The demand for higher education has led to privatization of higher education. The markets today employ people with education and training. As a result the industry must expand to accommodate the growing demand to train.
The demography of students joining colleges and universities has increased. In 1990s there was a large population of student in their mid twenties who enrolled in colleges. Today young adults in their late teens and early twenties form a large proportion in colleges.
However the focus on getting college education has changed where access and quality education with the minimum cost possible is their motive. For instance the University of Phoenix has a program designed for students to attend to convenient classes at own time as they continue getting an income (Levine: 1).
Public colleges and university are not able to catch up with the increasing demand for higher education. For instance in California, the number of students has increased enormously. The state may choose to build new infrastructure to include all students. However due to the high costs of putting up new institutions the state is unable to build institutions, hence allowing private institutions to be established will help absorb a large number of students.
The higher education industry which was predominantly a states mandate to provide education has been put to question. With the changing globe there is need to revise the training program so that it meets the market demands. Consequently, private universities have been set up in order to cub inadequacy in training and to fill the gap. (Levine 2).
The introduction of technology has caused the higher education system to change. The internet has been largely used by the private universities. Students can subscribe and do their programs online. Since they will enroll for a few years the university will gain profits. Ultimately, the higher education has become commercialized. Jones University is an example of an online university.
Perceptions about higher education have changed. The American colleges and universities are considered the best higher education industry. Those actively involved in the education sector believe that the quality and quantity of education is not as competent as before. However community colleges are considered to be the best colleges (Levine 1).
Constantly increasing demand of the global market is affecting the market. Inventions occur rapidly. Therefore it is inevitable to retrain. In order to keep up with upgrading training, the institutions of higher learning adopt to this changes by providing the necessary training for job upgrading like refresher courses for professionals.
The source of capital and funding for higher education industry has changed. Although state colleges and universities are funded by the state, the institutions of higher learning still look for grades through writing. The tuition fee has been increased in order to cater for expenses especially those concerned with purchase of advanced technology. Consequently, the cost of education is becoming expensive (Jim Para 7).
The organization structure has also changed from centralized to devolve. Instead of employees receiving and following instruction from their superiors, employees are now allowed to contribute their ideas in the organization. The outcome of this is effectiveness and efficiency within the higher education industry.
It is important to make higher education available and affordable. In addition students should ask for support from families, employers and friends to finance their education. The quality of education must not be compromised as it has given birth to sustainable career in the past. Institutions must also ensure that their students are able to perform upon completion of their programs (Jim Para 9).
The education system has changed in relation to racism. Gradually non native English speakers in American colleges and universities have been absorbed. The number of African students that enrolled American institutions has increased. They have been enabled through scholarships from their home countries while others are immigrants. Some go back to their home countries and bring improvements. For instance, they are offered jobs to become lecturers.
In addition, the number of students visiting African Universities has increased. They get an opportunity to learn and relate with members of different cultures. Furthermore, a number of institutions have an institute in a different continent. Usually the content of the higher education is the same as that offered in the mother university (Mathews Para 5).
The environmental change has caused changes in the higher education industry. As a result these changes have caused scholars to engage in research in order to solve to the problem of unpredictability.
Communication industry has changed the behavior of students. The internet is used to communicate to students by sending and receiving mails, the use of computer to type and print assignments as well as duplicating machine to make multiple copies. As a result inequalities emerge because not all students can access the new technology (Stephens, et al 319).
Although there have been many changes in the higher education industry, the states institutions of higher education have been funded partially by the government and by other foundations.. The institutions have remained as an avenue to introduce social change. In less privileged areas institutions have been used to empower people.
To add on to the above, the education system has been used to communicate, maintain a large data of knowledge and provide expertise knowledge. Moreover, some companies believe in recruiting employees from the institutions of higher learning (Stephens, et al 319).
Conclusion
Colleges and universities have been entrusted to train students to become successful in their career. Therefore they should be train students to be effective and efficient. The higher education industry should also change to meet the needs of the market. As the higher education industry embraces the changes that go along with changes in technology, it should also ensure that education is for all and it can be accessed.
The state within its mandate should provide guide lines to regulate the behavior of the privatization of these institutions of learning. Finally, the quality of education must not be compromised.
Works Cited
Jim, Underwood. Changes in Higher Education: Preparing the Future. Centralia: Kiskaskia College, 2001. Web.
Levine, Arthur. Privatization in Higher Education. Columbia: Columbia University, 1998. Web.
Mathews, Frank. Higher Education Change Agents, 2003. US: Diverse Education. Web.
Stephens, Jennie C., et al. International journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. Vol.9, no. 3. UK: Emerald Group Publishing, 2008. Web.