As renowned academicians put it, learning is a continuous activity and it has no limitation of age and sex. Learning or education is universal in character. If that is so, then academic activity should be global. With education being global, it ushers in an era of exchange of ideas and knowledge between experts who are spread over various parts of the globe.
Consolidation of the findings of these experts will bring in something which is good for the universe. Now, this process of learning through exchange of idea between persons who are located in different parts of the globe has become easier, thanks to the revolutionary improvements in the field of travel and communication. Now, with the introduction of internet, communication has become much faster and more reliable than ever before.
When we say ‘learning’ or ‘academic’, it naturally implies the task of studying in the academic institution. Gone are the days when you were required to be physically present in a brick and mortar school or college. Internet has paved the way for distance education; you can take up course in any part of the globe and obtain your degree. But, that does not mean academic has truly become ‘global’ in nature. There are several constraints. Let us take for example the cost of education which has actually become prohibitive since the recent recession.
This opinion is echoed by many academicians who also say that the cost of education has gone up several times. For example, a graduation course in USA costs about $33,000 and about `8,00,000 in India. This is for a four year term. Because of inflation many governments across the globe are forced to their cut their budget and in the bargain some of the benefits given to education sector had to be withdrawn. This has forced the government or the management of the college to pass on the burden to the student which has resulted in the increase of expenditure on education of the student. This in turn has greatly affected the students who are interested in pursuing their studies.
Of course, some of the colleges or educational institutions have made some attempts to increase their internal resources which to extent have helped to reduce the burden on the students.
It is an accepted fact that cost of education is lower compared to the brick and mortar educational system. But, educationists point out that distance education pattern of study is not conducive for all disciplines of knowledge. Some of the issues will have to be discussed face to face and there is absolute necessity for the physical attendance for both the teacher and the student.
In fact, they also point out that certain types of data cannot be transferred by internet for various technological reasons. When the data or knowledge is not transferred, then it creates a vacuum in the level of learning. This naturally affects the overall performance of the student.
Since the past several years the discussion on globalization in academics has been going on; but till now it has not become possible to draw any conclusion to this vexed problem.
Related articles
