ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews that the different scholarly perspectives surrounding the discourse of an emerging Chinese model of the university. Those pertaining to the nature and legacies of Confucianism and their profound impact on Chinas pursuit of world-class universities, the century-long effort to hybridize Western and Chinese elements in order to bring together aspects of their epistemological heritages, as well as the perpetual state control over higher education and the possible outcomes. The chapter then addresses connections between the Chinese model for development and the operation of universities, in particular the impact of social and political change on university operation and the academic profession. Furthermore, it explores the key features that Chinese universities exhibit, such that those perceived as resulting from the connection between the Beijing Consensus and Chinese universities, and those which distinguish Chinese universities from prevailing Western norms. Finally, this chapter outlines the possibilities for future research on this topic.
