More third generation universities needed – higher education leadership under the spotlight at MSM

On 24 February 2016 MSM hosted a Forum on Higher Education Leadership, with a special focus on the role of universities and other higher education institutions in addressing pressing global challenges.

The Forum was opened by Professor Wim Naudé, Dean of MSM, who outlined MSM’s commitment to leadership in higher education, both in terms of its open enrolment and tailor-made training programs, its applied research and its research-in-application. He welcomed the guest speakers to the forum, who together embodied over half a century of knowledge and experience in leadership in higher education.

The opening address was given by Dr. Jürgen Rüttgers, Honorary Professor in Education and Innovation at MSM, and former Minister of Education and Research, Germany, who emphasized the importance of higher education for modern economic growth and development. Dr. Rüttgers stressed that higher education is more important than ever, and outlined the imperatives for good leadership to ensure continued investments in education, research and the kind of innovation that will support sustainable development.

The keynote speech was given by Professor İhsan Sabuncuoğlu, Rector of Abdullah Gül University, Turkey. Professor Sabuncuoğlu outlined the evolution of universities over the past 700 years, from being first generation “knowledge sharing” institutions, to becoming teaching and applied research based institutions in the 19th and 20thcenturies, to the third generation of universities who today lead in terms of multiplying teaching and research for a positive impact on society.

He provided as a case study of a third generation university a discussion of Abdullah Gül University (AGU), a new university established in 2010 in Kayseri, Turkey. AGU is unique in combining both elements of private and public sector governance and financial support, and focusing on aligning its activities to contribute towards solving global problems.

The presentations were followed by a discussion session, and a networking session in MSM business lounge. Participants concluded that given the greater need for higher education in the world, and the many disruptions to higher education at the same time that a new mode of university is needed to respond and address global issues. Special guests included H.E., Mr. Sadik Arslan, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to The Netherlands, the MBA group and a group of 30 participants in MSM’s Executive MBA program in Azerbaijan, who is on a two-week attachment in Maastricht.