This is one of the staple perspectives brought at ACA European Policy Seminar by one of the leading experts on the issue, Philip Altbach of Boston College. As Altbach points out, the ‘concept’ is as hotly debated as it is vague and little understood. In short, it is a challenge.

The aim of this seminar was to find a mutual approach towards defining the "world-class university”. Issues such as the link between world-class universities and global rankings, but also the role of internationalisation, funding, and governance in the creation of internationally excellent higher education institutions were addressed.

This one-day seminar aimed to familiarise participants with the state-of- the-art thinking on what constitutes a ‘world-class university’ and what it takes to build one. More in detail, it

• addressed the role of internationalisation, funding, and governance in the creation of internationally excellent higher education institutions
• analysed the link between the world-class concept and the recent emergence of global rankings
• asked – and answered – the question who needs one – or more – world class universities
• explored the link between world-class universities and the entire higher education system, by asking the question which “undergrowth” of other institutions an internationally leading university needs in order to thrive
• explored alternative concepts of excellence beyond that of the research university
• scrutinised the role of teaching and learning in excellence.