This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is interested in the field of international higher education or has studied it in some shape or form, perhaps by taking a class or by being a scholar-practitioner whose work draws both on the study and practice of international higher education. Today’s guest, Professor Philip Altbach, is widely known as the “founding father of the field of international higher education.” Many of us have learned extensively from his work and regard him as a mentor whose scholarship and ideas have influenced generations of international education experts both in academia and in the field. Dr. Altbach is a Research Professor and Distinguished Fellow at the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College which he founded. He has been a Fulbright scholar multiple times, has received numerous distinguished awards, and has taught at universities in India and the U.S., and has authored over 50 books. In this episode, we have a wide-ranging conversation about his journey into international higher education and his views on where things stand today.
Episode Themes:
How Phil’s early experience of growing up and being educated in Chicago shaped his future interest in all things global and international
Why the U.S. has an “instability problem” that is affecting higher education and the appeal of the U.S. as a destination
Phil’s views on recent, global developments in higher education and things that cause him concern, especially the growing commercialization of international higher education
Why universities continue to be important and why a higher education matters.
Phil’s introduction to India and his life-long involvement with Indian higher education. Is India poised for genuine higher education reform?
As the “founding father” of the field, Phil reflects on what he considers his most important contributions
Phil’s advice for the next generation of emerging scholars and practitioners in our field
Phil and the famous peace symbol!
Episode Resources:
International Higher Education, the journal that Phil launched at the Boston College Center for International Higher Education
My book: America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility
Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration
