The ‘New Flagship University’ and its relevance to Brazilian higher education

Abstract

Universities have been a part of society for many centuries now. Their role and missions, however, have been constantly evolving and expanding, as societies changed and transformed. Recently, demands for further impact in the local/regional context, for the generation of innovation and promotion of social and economic development have been putting the universities under pressure. These developments have affected the idea of what leading universities should look like, and how these flagship institutions can influence and set an example for the other institutions within a higher education system. The New Flagship University model proposes leading universities that reflect on their relationship with society and that combine social and economic impact with academic freedom. This article seeks to explore this model of university and set the framework for the development of an instrument to understand how relevant the New Flagship University is to Brazilian universities.