Universities at risk under free trade agreement
Academic unions and university associations around the world have long expressed concern that the spread of free trade and other commercial agreements between nations was likely to profoundly impact on their higher education systems.
Despite government assurances that university operations will not be affected by the conditions set down in the General Agreement on Trade in Services and other international commercial arrangements, university heads and higher education unions in Australasia, Latin America and across Europe have warned that their institutions and tertiary systems will not be exempt and must be protected.
In a debate over a Central American Free Trade Agreement in Costa Rica, opponents argued that such free trade treaties could erode human economic and political rights. At the same time, however, they said civic and political rights could be strengthened through direct participation in the formation of ‘fair’ trade agreements.
European rectors speak out
At a meeting of the European University Association, or EUA, on 30 January, university rectors issued a unanimous statement regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP, and the Trade in Services Agreement or TiSA.
The rectors said that although the European Commission had declared that public services would be protected, under the existing General Agreement on Trade in Services, known as GATS, higher education could still be affected.
Echoing comments made by other higher education opponents of free trade in countries outside Europe, the rectors said the two agreements raised questions about the ability of national and regional authorities to decide their own higher education provisions. They therefore called on the European Union to make no commitments regarding higher and adult education.
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20150204080738725
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