Marketisation & Trade in Higher Education Services:Towards a Balance between Efficiency & Equity

Abstract

This article outlines arguments on both sides of the current debate concernig marketisation and trade in higher education. International trade, educational, economic and governance perspectives are considered. the writer argues that while the marketisation of higher education does bring certain benefits there is a risk that efficiency, competition and performance will be over-emphasized at the expense of equity. The fact that societies succeed when a balance is struck between strong private and strong public sectors is stressed.