1. On the Importance of the Institutional Aspect of the University in the Context of Historical Development of Technologies of Knowledge

This paper* discusses role and importance of the institutional aspect of the University in a context of historical development of technologies of knowledge. Through an analysis of similarities between subsequent technological innovations that transformed how knowledge was created, shared and stored, this paper shows that each time there was an institutional ‘answer’ to these developments. It is further argued that currently another such technological innovation is unfolding and that despite similarities it poses an unprecedented challenge, as it puts the institution itself into question. This paper discusses what the institutional character means for the University by highlighting the role it plays in making a place, thus connecting the institution to a concept of place and topology. Some further political consequences of this technological challenge to the institution and place are also discussed here.