Conceptual image representing the balance between education and commercial interests in a globalized world.

Is Globalization Eroding the Core Values of Higher Education?

Elliot Brynn in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A critical look at how the WTO and commercial interests are threatening the traditional ideals of universities and academic freedom."

For centuries, universities have stood as pillars of knowledge, research, and societal contribution. However, a significant shift is underway. Higher education is increasingly viewed as a commercial product, bought and sold in a global marketplace. This transformation raises critical questions about the core values of universities and their role in society.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is considering proposals that could bring higher education under its regulatory umbrella. This move, supported by for-profit education providers, aims to subject the import and export of education to international trade rules, potentially overriding national and institutional control.

This initiative poses a severe threat to the traditional ideals of the university, potentially undermining academic freedom, national educational policies, and the accessibility of education, especially in developing countries. Understanding the implications of this shift is crucial for safeguarding the future of higher education.

How is Globalization Reshaping Higher Education?

Conceptual image representing the balance between education and commercial interests in a globalized world.

Globalization's impact on higher education is undeniable. Universities worldwide are grappling with massification, technological advancements, and increased demands for accountability. These trends have led to greater interconnectedness among academic institutions, with English emerging as the dominant language for scientific communication and teaching.

Multinational higher education institutions are disseminating new curricula and innovations, addressing immediate needs in countries lacking adequate resources. However, this interconnectedness also presents challenges, particularly for smaller and poorer nations struggling to compete in a global arena dominated by world-class universities in industrialized countries.

Increased Competition: Smaller institutions struggle to compete with well-funded universities in developed countries.
Dominance of Western Norms: The values and knowledge systems of dominant countries can overshadow local perspectives and practices.
Commercialization of Knowledge: Knowledge is increasingly treated as a commodity, leading to a focus on profit rather than societal benefit.

The rise of the Internet and the globalization of knowledge have the potential to create severe problems for academic institutions and systems in smaller or poorer nations. In a world divided into centers and peripheries, the centers grow stronger and more dominant and the peripheries become increasingly marginalized. Inequalities grow more pronounced.

Protecting the Values of Higher Education in a Globalized World

As higher education becomes increasingly integrated into the global marketplace, it is crucial to safeguard its core values. Governments, academic institutions, and the public must work together to ensure that universities remain centers of learning, research, and societal contribution, rather than simply becoming commercial enterprises. By prioritizing academic freedom, supporting national educational policies, and promoting accessibility for all, we can ensure that higher education continues to serve as a vital force for progress and development.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.6017/ihe.2001.23.6593, Alternate LINK

Title: Higher Education And The Wto: Globalization Run Amok

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: International Higher Education

Publisher: Boston College University Libraries

Authors: Philip Altbach

Published: 2015-03-25

Everything You Need To Know

What is the role of the WTO in the changing landscape of higher education?

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is considering proposals to bring higher education under its regulatory umbrella. This move, backed by for-profit education providers, aims to subject the import and export of education to international trade rules. If implemented, the WTO's involvement could potentially override national and institutional control, which would pose a significant threat to the traditional ideals of the university.

How does the commercialization of higher education impact the values of universities?

The increasing commercialization of higher education views it as a commercial product. This shift raises critical questions about the core values of universities, which have historically served as pillars of knowledge, research, and societal contribution. Treating education as a commodity can lead to a focus on profit rather than societal benefit, potentially undermining academic freedom and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.

What are the main challenges that smaller and poorer nations face in the context of globalized higher education?

Smaller and poorer nations face several challenges, including increased competition from well-funded universities in developed countries. They also have to contend with the dominance of Western norms and knowledge systems, which can overshadow local perspectives and practices. Additionally, these nations may struggle with the commercialization of knowledge, as the focus shifts toward profit rather than societal benefit. The rise of the Internet and the globalization of knowledge can exacerbate these issues, potentially leading to the marginalization of institutions in smaller or poorer nations.

What are the potential negative consequences of the WTO's involvement in higher education?

The WTO's involvement in higher education could undermine academic freedom, national educational policies, and the accessibility of education, especially in developing countries. It could lead to a situation where educational institutions prioritize commercial interests over their traditional roles as centers of learning, research, and societal contribution. This shift could also threaten the ability of nations to control their own educational systems.

How can the core values of higher education be protected in a globalized world?

To protect the core values of higher education, governments, academic institutions, and the public must work together. It is crucial to ensure that universities remain centers of learning, research, and societal contribution, rather than becoming solely commercial enterprises. Prioritizing academic freedom, supporting national educational policies, and promoting accessibility for all are key steps in safeguarding the future of higher education in a globalized world. Addressing inequalities and the dominance of Western norms is also critical for maintaining the diversity and integrity of knowledge systems.