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National universities to consider mergers amid student population fall

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Of course if they are facing falling numbers in an increasingly competitive market they could always improve the product they are offering!

No that would require radical improvement and some managerial flair, not to mention cutting out the dead wood, which would probably include most of the administration!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Falling birth rates mean that there are fewer students to go round. There are way too many universities in Japan - there are nearly 600 private universities alone.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Of course if they are facing falling numbers in an increasingly competitive market they could always improve the product they are offering!

No that would require radical improvement and some managerial flair, not to mention cutting out the dead wood, which would probably include most of the administration!

Nagoya University has four Nobel laureates and is one of the top universities in the country and the article specifically notes that their main aim is to increase administrative efficiency with this reform. Not sure where a lack of "flair" factors into their problems.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Falling birth rates? Plummeting might be more appropriate. Nobel laureates yes they are in every country. There are too many Universities for the population pool. Some have to combine or close. That's a fact when there are not enough bumbs on seats. Belated move but a move.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

These mergers have been "considered" since the 70s. It's scary news for anyone working in the uni scene. Worst these considerations are becoming reality nowadays. Why is it scary? You contract becomes null and void in the merger. So if you are lucky to have a permanent position or even something like a 3 or 5 year contract, your old contract is not valid under the merger.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Nagoya university, ranked 4th among Japanese universities, has no problem attracting students. Gifu university is ranked 72nd in Japan (according to the THE rankings). Even so, as a national university with relatively low tuition fees they can easily attract students. Therefore, the alleged reason for the merger (a declining number of students) is false.

There could be money to be saved by merging administrations, but I'm sure they will keep two university presidents and two boards of directors, even though eliminating one set of them would save quite a lot.

In the end the obsession with rankings will probably put an end to this plan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How about educating retired people?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Australian Universities are over flowing with foreign students mainly Chinese - these Universities need to start marketing their services and degrees to other parts of Asia.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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