Regulation, Globalization, And Privatization Of Higher Education: The Struggle To Establish A University In Israel

Abstract

The foundations of higher education in Israel were established in the 1920’s with the opening of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1925, after numerous difficulties and opponents were overcome. Not only were the pioneers of higher education plagued by these difficulties, it appeared that they were an integral element in the history of every other institution that has since sought recognition as a university in Israel. Every institution that sought to penetrate the gates of the ivory tower has encountered fierce opposition and the perpetual argument that Israel needs no more universities. Surprisingly, each time, the heads of the existing universities stood at the forefront of such opposition. Any attempt to establish a new university prompted them to issue warnings about the dangers inherent in establishing yet another institution of higher education in Israel.

Recently, on December 24, 2012, Israel’s ninth university, Ariel University, was declared. This was the first university established since the 1970’s. This paper examines the changing nature of arguments (financial, political, academic, or other) against establishment of new universities in Israel and explores the criteria for an institution to be recognized as a university. To address these and other issues, we first review the regulatory approach of Israel’s higher education system and illustrate the traditional opposition against establishment of universities in Israel using the case of Ariel University. We conclude by outlining a possible scenario for the establishment of Israel’s ninth university (including the Open University), and those after it.