blurring of boundaries

There appears to be a distinct change in the way colleges and universities were functioning some years back and the way they do now.They have become more like corporates!And may we say corproates are turning more academic by learning and reskilling on a continuing basis!
Colleges are getting into giving an opinion on everything happeniing in the city/neighbourhood.For example the intense tidal activity on the shores of Tamil Nadu coast a few days back during full moon has brought a report from the university geological department.They have become media savvy and extremely sensitive to day to day events.Earlier they used to be in far removed from the environment;they will pontify on grave issues, of very little concern to everyday affairs and issues which concern the man on the street.They also seem to have credibility in the minds of the public,that they will be unbiased and their opinion is not based on the vote bank and power politics.
Corporates on the other hand are getting into the learning space and are collaborating with instittuions for distance learning or supplying finished products of candidates that they select in the campuses.
Students also seem to be crossing the countries borders like never before.There seems to be very high level of awareness about educational competitions and avenues for expressing their interest/talent in various streams of educational excellence.