The Founding of Universities in Modern Japan and China: Sponsorship Patterns and Their Consequences

Abstract/Sommario: The essay describes the sponsorship pattern of universities in societies that are in the initial stages of establishing a modern system of higher education. Who sponsor the initial founding and expansion of universities in non-Western context? Why were these sponsors willing to invest resources in these non-profit institutions? The paper investigates the sponsorship patterns behind the founding of universities in modern Japan (late 19th century) and modern China (early 20th century).