Scholars work best in an atmosphere of freedom. Size is important, too. Small academic communities can be quite good, even world-class, but can seldom achieve the highest academic pinnacles. Take Sweden or Denmark as examples. An environment that encourages but does not dictate university development or academe's relations with industry and government has been key to Boston s academic strength.
Diversification is important, too.
There is room for different kinds of schools, with different aims, patterns of funding, varying quality. A mix of public and private initiative helps as well, providing more avenues for funding and greater possibilities for diversity and the creation of niches. The possibility of failure provides an added incentive. Most Asian countries cannot aspire to excellence in all fields of knowledge. Choices need to be made, and here a combination of academic, public, and private decision makers may be the most effective way to determine higher education policy.