building excellence in higher education: is it right to talk about world class universities?

Building Excellence in Higher Education:

Is it right to talk about World Class Universities?

Professor Mohamed ZairiAVP Growth & Strategy

eTQM CollegeDubai

Prof. M. Zairi, October 2009

“A university is defined by the quality of its academic conversations, not by the technologies that service them.”

Diana Laurillard Prof. M. Zairi, October 2009

A modern university, or "multiversity," has to operate as a part of society, no longer as an ivory tower apart from it. 1911-2003

Former UC Berkeley President Clark Kerr


eUniversity – Open System An open system is a system

that regularly exchanges feedback with its external environment. Open systems are systems, of course, so inputs, processes, outputs, goals, assessment and evaluation, and learning are all important.

Adapted from “Field Guide to Consulting and Organizational Development”


What is a World Class University?• The definition of what

makes a world-class university is subjective and contextual. Given the diversity of global education systems and different societal needs and priorities, it is extremely difficult to define common standards.


The modern university often is a large, complex organisation with multiple stakeholders, increasingly involved in a world of global competition yet, at home, the subject of much probing and public scrutiny.


For universities, world-class standing is built on reputation and perception – often seen as subjective and uncertain – and it requires outstanding performance in many events.


What is a World Class University?

• A world-class university will be widely recognised as an eminent institution, as a place where top staff will wish to congregate. Given the chance, staff from other universities will migrate to the world-class university, and top faculty attract top students. The process is auto-catalytic.


What is a World Class University?

• This means such a university will almost certainly be a research-intensive university. It also must teach well. But first and foremost it is a place where people will want to spend time for the experience, and to associate with the fame and respect that goes with this. Absolutely fundamental to building such a climate is the quality of the staff, especially the academic faculty members.


Critical Factors That Characterize World Class Universities

• Quality of Faculty• Research Reputation• Talented Graduates• International Presence• Proper Resourcing• Leveraging Alliances

and Networks


Critical Factors That Characterize World Class Universities

• Embracing many disciplines

• Technologically smart• Practice The Art of

Good Management• Leading The Virtual

Challenge• Operate as an Open

System• Globally Oriented


The Battle has just started….

• The prestige seeking behaviour of universities is ever increasing as the global war for talent intensifies and education's role in the knowledge economy becomes more critical. In this process, the quest for world-class status among universities has become more prominent.



• "Becoming a member of the exclusive group of world-class universities is not achieved by self-declaration; rather, elite status is conferred by the outside world on the basis of international recognition."The Challenge of Establishing World-Class Universities.( World Bank Report)


http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/files/55825/12017990845Salmi.pdf/Salmi.pdf


• Self-declaration of world-class status often results because of two primary reasons: lack of knowledge and understanding of what world-class standards really mean and how to achieve them ,and exaggeration of the relatively mediocre standards of the institution.


The Problem with The notion of World Class

• "The lack of an absolute set of performance criteria and measures may mean that world class will always be positional, referring to those universities that are at the top in terms of academic reputation rather than those that fit a class of standards."

Levin, Jeong and Ou reported in 2006.


The Problem with The notion of World Class

• “Thus, self-declaration works as an easy way out for institutions.”

Levin, Jeong and Ou reported in 2006.


Useful Strategies for World Class University Status

• "There is no universal recipe or magic formula for 'making' a world-class university. National contexts and institutional models vary widely. Therefore, each country must choose, from among the various possible pathways, a strategy that plays to its strengths and resources,"

Salmi


Useful Strategies for World Class University Status

• Despite the subjectivity involved in defining world-class standards, there is a need for it so that institutions may appropriately benchmark themselves with the best in the world and strive to work towards quality improvement.

Salmi


Useful Framework for World Class University Status

• Three Elements to Leverage From:– (a) a high concentration of talent (faculty

and students)– (b) abundant resources to offer a rich

learning environment and to conduct advanced research

– (c) favourable governance features that encourage strategic vision, innovation, and flexibility and that enable institutions to make decisions and to manage resources without being encumbered by bureaucracy

Prof. M. Zairi, October 2009Salmi

Useful Framework for World Class University Status

• Conditions and resources for creating world-class universities :– 1. Sustained financial support, with an appropriate mix of

accountability and autonomy

2. The development of a clearly differentiated academic system--including private institutions--in which academic institutions have different missions, resources, and purposes

3. Managerial reforms and the introduction of effective administration

4. Truly meritocratic hiring and promotion policies for the academic profession, and similarly rigorous and honest recruitment, selection, and instruction of students

Prof. M. Zairi, October 2009Philip Altbach

No World Class University Status Without Quality

• Educational excellence is a gradual and resource-intensive process and excellence in the local context is a must before setting aspirations for global standards. This results in a realistic assessment of the institutional capability to serve societal needs. Furthermore, resources are better allocated to meet the needs of the vision.

Prof. M. Zairi, October 2009Dr Rahul Choudaha


Example of a Claim of World Class University Status


KSU’s Aspirations for World Class University Status

World Class League Tables

Prof. M. Zairi 26

Ladder of Ladder of ExcellenceExcellence

27Knowleging Capabilities

Know

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Life

cycle

Scie

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Rou

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University R & P Impact

28

Impact

Appl

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Rout

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University R & P Wider Impact

What is Really World Class?

•Being The Best



•Providing Value



•Enjoying Good Reputation



•Top in League Tables



•Superior Quality Standards



•Excellent Practices



• Internationally Recognised



• Learner Centric



• Employing Best Talented Professionals


Virtuality is RealityVirtuality is Reality


Customer PLC is REALITY


Virtuality is Reality

Shopping is

essential Supermarkets are not



Banking is

Essential – Banks are not



Healthcare is

Essential – Hospitals are not



Learning is

Essential – Universities are not


"The future's already arrived; it's just not evenly distributed yet."


Thank You


building excellence in higher education: is it right to talk about world class universities?

Documents

world class university

worldclass university

modern university

world of global competition

open systems

euniversity open system

behaviour of universities

critical factors