European Knowledge Society and Higher Education: Universities between the Tradition and Transformation

This study examines the role of universities in the European Knowledge Society as regards to new social risks and paradigm change as perceived by the shareholders of higher education institutions. The research questions addressed attitude change in universities for reform; the universities' responsiveness to possible social risks and opportunities for the graduates; and the institutional practices regarding curricula and governance which may lead to knowledge society. The study was conducted in six European countries with sixty six participants and completed in one year. Research was designed based on the qualitative research approach. Snowball technique was used to design research and to identify the sampling. Data were gathered through interviews and focus group meetings. Each focus group contributed to extend the number of participants and improve more questions in the interviews. Data gathered from the interviews and focus group meetings were analysed using perception coding system. Results showed that universities in Europe keep their traditional role and are not ready to acknowledge a role in the development of European Knowledge Society. The challenges they face in a transforming society create a dilemma between the tradition and transformation. They are under the pressure of Brussels-directed changes and/or national context and regulation. Major outcomes of the research addressed the reality of the university in Europe lag them behind the role given by the European vision. The gap between the society's need for dynamic transformation, which is expressed as an ambitious goal in the European vision, and the university's traditional existence and resistance to transformation was highlighted.