„Fusion” in the university sector. Is Poland ahead of consolidations of universities?

Abstract

“Fusion” in the university sector has been existing in many countries for more than a decade now. Mass merger programs are carried out, among others, in Scandinavian countries, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and China. The purpose of the mergers is to create a global league of universities, to rationalize the education and research network as well as to improve the effectiveness of education. In Poland, consolidation was not systemic and was not a part of public policy. Few merger processes between universities were of bottom-up character, with no central support. Probably one of the negative effects of the lack of strategic university mergers in Poland is the gradual decline of leading Polish universities to lower positions in the international rankings. However, on the other hand, it is worthwhile to pose a question of the value of university consolidation. Are university mergers developing mainly due to the instrumental reward i.e. the promotion in international rankings? It is worthwhile to ask whether university consolidations are not primarily a manifestation of fashion, the commercialization of education, the expansion of new public management and the development of neoliberal ideology. Answers to these questions can be sought in research conducted all over the world. Thanks to extensive international and business experience in the area of mergers and acquisitions, we can look at the value of consolidation processes in Poland from the point of view of universities and the society.