The traditional model of the research university is being challenged by high costs, changes in clientele, and by for-profit educational ventures. Increasing productivity through the use of technology and emphasizing interdisciplinary activities are some of the approaches for redefining the research university. Research universities are undergoing profound changes. The cost of higher education is rising faster than the cost of health care. Universities are competing with the Internet and the proliferation of teaching materials generated by commercial companies.
Undergraduate students learn more from each other than from faculty.
It is important to preserve what is valuable, but some redefining is inevitable. Future research universities must encourage the development of infrastructure that transcends traditional departmental boundaries and encourages interdisciplinary approaches. Biomedical engineers, with their interdisciplinary training, will become increasingly important as new permeable structures are developed in research universities. This will require increased funding for biomedical engineering research from federal funding agencies and private foundations. Private agencies are and should be increasingly involved in the support of interdisciplinary research.