Autonomy of higher education institutions: analysis of the key European and International documents

The European Union ◽

University Autonomy ◽

Public Authorities ◽

Financial Autonomy ◽

The University ◽

International Experts ◽

Fundamental Values

Academic freedom, institutional autonomy and respect for the rule of law in relations between public authorities, higher education institutions and students are essential to democratic societies, and can be considered as the fundamental values of the European Higher Education Area. The European Governments have recognized the university autonomy as a precondition for the successful development of higher education. The European Commission notes as a priority the creation of a new framework for universities that are characterized by increased levels of autonomy and accountability. The Council of the European Union confirms this approach and establishes a direct relationship between autonomy and the ability of universities to meet the expectations of society. International experts emphasize the direct link between the institutional capacity of higher education institutions, the ability to identify and develop their own institutional profile and the autonomy of universities. The necessity and role of autonomy in the sphere of higher education is determined. Autonomy of higher education institutions plays an important role in the strategic positions and declarations at the European and world level. It is confirmed by the relevant documents. The autonomy of universities (institutional) consists of the academic, financial, organizational and personnel autonomy. The level of university autonomy in Ukraine and European countries is analyzed on the basis of its components. Author designates that universities are the most independent in solving issues of personnel, academic, organizational and financial autonomy. Ukraine takes a position almost at the end of the «middle-low» cluster of systems, which testifies to the areas existence in which autonomy is limited.

Research Anthology on Preparing School Administrators to Lead Quality Education Programs ◽

Role of University Rankings in the Context of Lack of Resources

10.4018/978-1-7998-3438-0.ch082 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1807-1829

Author(s):

Magdalena Platis

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

University Rankings ◽

University Management ◽

Strategic Development ◽

Higher Education Systems ◽

Real Phenomenon ◽

The University ◽

Contemporary Context

In the contemporary context, educational sector faces many challenges which are reflected in specific institutional reactions. Rankings specific to higher education systems are a real phenomenon. Management teams at all levels understand differently the role of being active towards rankings – from a national support and institutional scope, to a lack of interest from both levels. Methodologies of different rankings are also different. In fact, participating in a ranking or another is something to be decided by the university management. The mission of this chapter is to reveal the role of rankings in the contemporary context of resource decreasing. Some answers will improve the decision-making process related to rankings, as well as to other institutional changes adopted in higher education institutions. The existence of rankings cannot be denied. Understanding the role of rankings is one of the most important premises for a correct strategic development of the higher education institutions.

Advances in Educational Marketing, Administration, and Leadership - World University Rankings and the Future of Higher Education ◽

Role of University Rankings in the Context of Lack of Resources

10.4018/978-1-5225-0819-9.ch010 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 186-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Magdalena Platis

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

University Rankings ◽

University Management ◽

Strategic Development ◽

Higher Education Systems ◽

Real Phenomenon ◽

The University ◽

Contemporary Context

Appointing and Removing Academic Staff in Public Institutions: The Level of Autonomy at Kyambogo University, Uganda

International Research in Higher Education ◽

10.5430/irhe.v2n1p101 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 101

Author(s):

Ayebare Justin ◽

Kisige Abdu ◽

Gitta Eric ◽

Betihama Jackson ◽

Kimoga Joseph

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Academic Staff ◽

Public Institutions ◽

Institutional Autonomy ◽

State Control ◽

University Autonomy ◽

Public Authorities ◽

Resource Manual ◽

The University ◽

Skilled Staff

Many governments, the university sector and the European Commission have recognized that increasing university autonomy represents a crucial step towards modernizing higher education in the 21st century. This study which was conducted at Kyambogo University highlights that in practice, public authorities still play a central role in the regulation of higher education systems more especially in the appointment and dismissal of academic staff. Despite the fact that the ministry has moved away from direct state control towards more “indirect” steering mechanisms, universities often continue to lack autonomy in many crucial areas, particularly in terms of filling staff positions. The purpose of this study therefore was to establish the level of institutional autonomy in academic staff appointment and removal at Kyambogo University. The researchers analysed each dimen¬sion of university autonomy in terms of appointment and dismissal of academic staff. We found out that appointment and removal of the academic staff in Kyambogo University was not in line with what is provided for in the Human Resource Manual and national guiding Acts, Laws and Standing orders. We recommend that since universities have a unique duty to perform that requires specific skilled staff, they should be given autonomy in the appointment and removal of these staff.

Embodying human rights in #FeesMustFall? Contributions from an indecent theology

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies ◽

10.4102/hts.v73i3.4799 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 73 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lisa Grassow ◽

Clint Le Bruyns

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

South Africa ◽

Human Rights ◽

Specific Context ◽

Human Rights Abuses ◽

The Poor ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

This article focuses on the #FeesMustFall (FMF) movement and the question of a human rights culture. It provides evidence from the specific context of FMF at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, which exposes human rights abuses and violence to the dignity of protesting students. To advance a human rights culture within the higher education sector in the context of FMF, the article highlights the role of theology – ‘indecent theology’ (as espoused by Marcella Althaus-Reid) – in revealing the problem and promise of higher education institutions in the quest for a more liberating and responsible society. It is only through interrogating the narratives that sustain the current university structures – and continue to oppress the poor and the marginalised – that South Africa will be able to begin to construct a society that is respective of the rights of all.

The Potential Role of Stakeholders in the Energy Efficiency of Higher Education Institutions

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12218908 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (21) ◽

pp. 8908

Author(s):

Rubén Garrido-Yserte ◽

María-Teresa Gallo-Rivera

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Energy Efficiency ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

Action Plan ◽

Research Approach ◽

Save Energy ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

Higher education institutions (HEIs) have a huge potential to save energy as they are significantly more energy-intensive in comparison with commercial offices and manufacturing premises. This paper provides an overview of the chief actions of sustainability and energy efficiency addressed by the University of Alcalá (Madrid, Spain). The policies implemented have shifted the University of Alcalá (UAH) to become the top-ranking university in Spain and one of the leading universities internationally on environmentally sustainable practices. The paper highlights two key elements. First, the actions adopted by the managerial teams, and second, the potential of public–private collaboration when considering different stakeholders. A descriptive study is developed through document analysis. The results show that energy consumption per user and energy consumption per area first fall and are then maintained, thereby contributing to meeting the objectives of the Spanish Government’s Action Plan for Energy Saving and Efficiency (2011–2020). Because of the research approach, the results cannot be generalized. However, the paper fulfils an identified need to study the impact of HEIs and their stakeholders on sustainable development through initiatives in saving energy on their campuses and highlights the role of HEIs as test laboratories for the introduction of innovations in this field (monitoring, sensing, and reporting, among others).

Student perception of role of sport at university

Sport — nauka i praksa = Sport — Science And Practice ◽

10.5937/snp2002005n ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 5-21

Author(s):

Milan Nešić ◽

Branimir Nešić

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Higher Education ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Student Perception ◽

Basic Research ◽

Sport Clubs ◽

Novi Sad ◽

The concept of university sports in Serbia is still dominantly based on occasional sports manifestations (competitions) for students. Mostly in the shape of single ad-hoc tournaments in different areas of sport or as competitions of student athletes within the University sports association. The current position of a majority of student population in terms of university sports in Serbia can be characterized as passive (spectators), while direct participants, who are recruited from the field of active competitive sports, have this only as an “additional” obligation within the sport they already practice in “their” sport clubs. Therefore, students’ perception of the role of sports/physical activity at university represents a very important determinant for creating adequate (new) program contents, concepts and for the implementation of physical education in higher education institutions in Serbia. The goal of this research, which is realised as an empirical non-experimental study, is to identify the attitude and opinion of students about the role of sport and organized physical exercising at university. The sample involved 227 students at the University of Novi Sad and Educons University from Sremska Kamenica. Survey was used as the basic research technique, and the instrument was constructed as a questionnaire whose basic semantic structure was based on similar instruments used in a few earlier studies. The results showed that the currently trend indicates a drop in regular practice of sport after enrolment in faculty, but youth positively perceive the role of sports at higher education institutions, clearly recognizing its importance in social interaction. Therefore, pedagogical implications of this research can certainly dominantly relate to management structures of higher education institutions in shape of a clear message about the necessity to introduce more intense education of all education stakeholders about the values and importance of physical activity (physical exercising) of youth. In that context, they also encourage changes in overall education policy in Serbia.

MOOCs and their Influence on Higher Education Institutions: Perspectives from the Insiders

Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research ◽

10.7821/naer.2018.1.252 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 40-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Manuel León-Urritia ◽

Ruth Cobos ◽

Kate Dickens

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Online Courses ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Massive Open Online Courses ◽

Strategic Decision ◽

Educational Approach ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Since Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) became a global phenomenon in 2012, there has been constant evolution in the way Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) make sense of them. HEIs embracing MOOCs have dedicated a variety of human resource to this venture. Only in a minority of cases, staff have been appointed exclusively to this role. In all other cases, MOOC related tasks have been allocated to professionals who were already performing other educational tasks. This article contains a study that captures the experiences of these professionals in a Spanish university and a British university, as relates to their involvement in MOOCs. Interviews and group sessions were conducted to ascertain the influence of MOOCs in their practice, and in their opinions about the role of MOOCs in their institutions. The results seem to suggest that participants have positive attitudes towards incorporating MOOCs at the university, although they demand a serious bet for this educational approach from the strategic decision makers in the institutions.

Gender Violence in the University: The Role of Higher Education Institutions in its Prevention

ESPOCH Congresses: The Ecuadorian Journal of S.T.E.A.M. ◽

10.18502/espoch.v1i1.9586 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

M. Mejía Paredes ◽

S. Veloz Miño ◽

R. Saeteros Hernández

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Sexual Harassment ◽

Local Level ◽

Gender Violence ◽

Gender Based Violence ◽

Palabras Clave ◽

Gender Based ◽

Talking about gender-based violence and sexual harassment at the Ecuadorian university has been considered by many as an uncomfortable subject, and for some years it has been silenced. It is only recently that this situation has become an essential topic to investigate, so that currently several universities have struggled to explore through studies the problems of gender violence, discrimination and sexual harassment in the university context. In this sense, the present study has tried to develop a review of all the investigations that have been carried out to identify cases or situations of gender violence in universities at international, national and local level, as well as to determine the role of education institutions superior in the prevention and eradication of this problem. Keywords: gender violence, sexual harassment, university. Resumen Hablar de violencia de género y acoso sexual en la universidad ecuatoriana ha sido considerado por muchos como un tema incómodo por lo que durante algunos años ha permanecido silenciado. No es sino hace poco que esta situación se ha vuelto una temática imprescindible de investigar, por lo que actualmente varias universidades se han esforzado en explorar a través de estudios los problemas de violencia de género, discriminación y acoso sexual en el contexto universitario. En este sentido, el presente estudio ha pretendido desarrollar una revisión de todas las investigaciones que se han realizado para identificar los casos o situaciones de violencia de género en universidades a nivel internacional, nacional y local, así como determinar el rol de las instituciones de educación superior en la prevención y erradicación de esta problemática. Palabras clave: violencia de género, acoso sexual, universidad.

The role of higher education institutions as employers of apprentices

Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning ◽

10.1108/heswbl-02-2020-0025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 651-657

Author(s):

Caleb Wright

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Future Directions ◽

Content Type ◽

PurposeA discussion piece of how apprenticeships can be used by HEIs as employers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores the current apprenticeship landscape; what HEIs are already doing with apprenticeships; the arguments for using apprenticeships in the sector. There is then a case study on how the University of Birmingham uses apprenticeships before a discussion about future directions.FindingsThe paper reports that although there are a range of advantages for using apprenticeships, HEIs could still use apprenticeships more.Originality/valueThis paper uses a range of sources as detailed in the reference.

THE ROLE OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS OF THE UKRAINIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Integrated communications ◽

10.28925/2524-2644.2016.1.8 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Nataliia Horbenko

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Educational Institution ◽

Development Stage ◽

Scientific Development ◽

Educational Services ◽

Wide Range ◽

Services Implementation ◽

The article reveals the essence and role of promotional activities of higher education institutions for improving their competitiveness in the market of educational services. In particular, it drew attention to the lack of scientific development of the given problem, on the one hand, and to the obvious importance to provide competitiveness of universities in the today’s socio-cultural environment, on the other hand. The essence and peculiarities of competition and competitiveness of the universities are given, the methods of increasing competitiveness of educational services, implementation of which means implementation of advertising activities by a higher educational institution are represented. It was identified that in the field of educational services the promotional activities should be built in accordance with the principles of flexibility, complexity and adaptability, and its basis should be the quest for more high quality, than the competitor does, in meeting of needs of different target audiences through promotion of a wide range of programs. It is noted that promotional activities related to material production becomes a sphere of promotional images production (images). It is concluded that in organizing promotional activities of the university the unity of purpose and objectives of promotional activities of the university should be provided, that stipulates development and implementation of the strategy of its promotional activities, which will maintain and develop its single educational space in accordance with requirements of the present development stage of the country.