Impact of private‐sector university growth on the societies of post‐Communist Europe: a case study from Slovakia

This article considers the arguments used in support of private‐sector educational establishments in post‐Communist Europe and compares them with the observations and experiences of an academic librarian working in the field. The article uses as its case study a private‐sector university in Slovakia and addresses the issues of quality and standards in evidence today. Reasons for the rapid growth of private‐sector establishments across the region are initially studied before the frequent arguments used in support of private‐sector enterprises are considered. The article goes on to examine the wider implications of the growth of the private sector for the societies of post‐Communist Europe.