Response of Higher Education to challenges posed by globalization

As a multifaceted process, globalization presents great opportunities, as well as challenges, and even risks to universities all over the world. This complex phenomenon is having a profound effect on virtually every aspect of our daily lives, especially on the essence and function of higher education. As such, its implications on institutional policy development cannot be overlooked any longer, and must be taken into account for any strategic planning process that a higher education institution undertakes. It is of the utmost importance to be mindful and respond with consistency to the challenges posed by globalization, allowing for all the circumstances, requirements and concerns brought by it. Having a sound strategy and responding with urgency is paramount to harnessing the benefits of globalization as efficiently as possible and combating its possible downfalls. The purpose of this present work is to examine the reasons and ways in which specific universities from all over the world have tackled globalization in the framework of their strategic planning efforts and considering their duties and functions, as well as their territorial specifics, from local to global.