Publisher's Synopsis
Portugal's tertiary education sector has expanded significantly over the last 20 years, but participation and overall educational attainment levels remain below European standards and enrolment rates have begun to decline. Portugal will need to invest more over the long term in its universities and other post-secondary institutions if it wants to raise attainment levels to standards similar to those of other European countries. The OECD review recommends that Portugal's national government should focus on strategic direction and leave higher education institutions wider latitude for accomplishing public priorities consistent with their mission. Among its proposals for reform, the review calls for the creation of a National Council on Higher Education to oversee Portugal's higher education strategy. The review also calls for major changes in the governance and management of higher education institutions to bring them into line with national goals, encourage their responsiveness and efficiency, and improve their quality. Improving research and innovation is a key strategic objective of the Portuguese government, and the OECD review suggests a number of qualitative changes in Portugal's tertiary education system to enhance performance in this area. Among other issues addressed are student social supports, private contributions, access, quality improvement, outward orientation and external stakeholder involvement.
