The “Glocalization” of the University

Abstract

When visiting the newest universities in Chile, it is common to see very new buildings adorned by shining new signs displaying university mottos in Latin. An example of these recently founded universities and the early European origins they aim to evoke can be seen in the U. Los Leones (translated Lion’s University) located at Santiago de Chile’s Metro Station La Moneda. On its sign, the picture of lions drawn in medieval-type inscription clearly resembles the European tradition of granting the privilege to use a coat of arms to the royalty, church, and universities. However, why does a new university, born as a vocational training center in 1981 and granted the status of university in 2010, need to demonstrate to the public both the tradition of the oldest European universities and the efficiency of modern enterprises?