Economic Globalisation and Higher Education Curriculum Restructuring : Exploring the Trends in the States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu of India

It is viewed that globalisation, particularly economic globalisation (EG), has strong implications to Higher Education (HEd). One of the important implications of EG (EG is one of the key factors) is curriculum restructuring in HEd. The literature gap in this area has triggered our research interest to study the implications of EG on HEd and HEd curriculum restructuring. We particularly explore the trends in HEd and HEd curriculum restructuring in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu of India and at the six selected HEd institutions (HEdIs). The decline of public fund to HEd has paved ways for the development of self financed HEdIs and self financed courses at public and at state supported private HEdIs. As a result cost of HEd has increased and the vulnerable students are further marginalized from access to HEd. The utilitarian goal is stronger in HEd curriculum planning and revision. Disciplines are expected to prove their worth by their contribution to the economy. As a result vocational, applied and career potential courses are attractive and traditional courses in arts, basic and social sciences are under threat.