Pursuing Institutional Purpose

Profiles of Excellence

Matthew Hartley, Alan Ruby

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN:
  9781108899499
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: History of Education

We are living in an era where global university schemes only offer narrow conceptions of quality, relying too heavily on international ranking systems. This timely book present an alternative perspective on evaluating 'world-class universities', showcasing how eight very different higher education institutions have defined and are pursuing excellence in their own way. Each case study highlights how institutions can align their work with shared values and goals, and strive to uphold these principles in all they do and say. The portraits offer insights into the ways institutions can create cultures of excellence tied to a vision of how to make a difference for their students and society. Their success suggest that policy makers should reward institutions that adopt and strive to fulfil particular educational purposes rather than continuing to perpetuate the status quo. It is essential reading for researchers and students of education research, education policy, and international education reform. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title page
• Imprints page
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• List of Abbreviations
• 1 Introduction: Why This Book?
• 2 Asian University for Women: Liberal Arts and Leadership for Women (Shoes or No Shoes)
• 3 Dublin City University: Terrier or Wolfhound?
• 4 Nazarbayev University: An Elite Institution or a National Model?
• 5 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: Connecting Faith and Service
• 6 Qatar University: Local Identity and Global Opportunities
• 7 School of Advanced Studies, University of Tyumen: Transformation from Within?
• 8 Tata Institute of Social Sciences: Immersed in the Field
• 9 University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Charisma and the Power of We
• 10 Conclusion: Reflections on Excellence
• References
• Index