Koboul Mansour, director of the Days-Massolo Center, made waves at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia with her thought-provoking research presentation on “World-Class Universities and the Imitation Game: The Reality of the Global South.”
In a session focused on “Higher Education and Institutional Comparisons Across Countries,” Mansour delved into the challenges faced by universities in the increasingly globalized higher education landscape. She highlighted the pressure on universities to demonstrate their academic excellence through research output, a crucial factor in competing in the global knowledge economy and earning the prestigious title of a “world-class university” (WCU).
Drawing on her research on higher education reform in Egypt over the past decade, Mansour emphasized the country’s efforts to align with western models in order to enhance competitiveness in the global education market. She explored how Egypt’s education policies reflect globalized discourses such as the concept of WCUs, while also addressing local priorities and national needs.
Mansour’s critical analysis of Egypt’s education policies revealed a balance between local and global considerations, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the educational competitiveness of the higher education system. She proposed context-sensitive strategies for incremental and transformational change, aiming to bridge the gap between local needs and global expectations in the pursuit of academic excellence.
Overall, Mansour’s research sheds light on the complex dynamics at play in the global higher education arena and offers valuable insights for policymakers and institutions striving to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving educational landscape.