If we take seriously the notion that we live in a global knowledge
economy and in a society based on processing information – of course
that’s what universities are primarily – then the quality, effectiveness
and relevance of the university system will be directly related to the
ability of people, society and institutions to develop. In the context
of a technological revolution and in the context of a revolution in
communication, the university becomes a central actor of scientific and
technological change, but also of other dimensions: of the capacity to
train a labour force adequate to the new conditions of production and
management. Universities also become the critical source of equalisation
of chances and democratisation of society by making possible equal
opportunities for people – this is not only a contribution to economic
growth, it is a contribution to social equality or, at least, lesser
inequality.

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