scholarly journals Revolutionizing Public Universities of Ethiopia through Appreciative Inquiry Approach: A Case Study of Jigjiga University, Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Mohammed Jemal Ahmed

Appreciative inquiry is a qualitative approach focusing on discovering and appreciating potential strengths and thecore value of organizations. This article has tried to explore the potential of appreciative inquiry to bring a positivechange in Jigjiga University of Ethiopia. The paper starts with the description of appreciative inquiry and the 4 “D”(Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny) model of appreciative inquiry. It has also tried to appraise the effectivenessof appreciative inquiry approach and design in bringing about change in the management system of JigjigaUniversity. The study is a case study of Jigjiga University within a context of higher education using appreciativeinquiry to assess the need for change and make recommendations on this basis. The author has four year experienceas academic staff, manager and lecturer in Jigjiga University. Hence, besides to the literature, the data have beendrawn from his own practical experience. Moreover, researches that have been done by Jigjiga UniversityAnticorruption Directorate and various annul reports of Jigjiga University have served as a main source of dataconcerning Jigjiga University management status. The author has tried to appraise the gaps of problem solvingapproach to transform Jigjiga University. The potential of the appreciative inquiry approach to bring sustainablechange in the University has also been highlighted. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to appraise the feasibilityand potential of appreciative inquiry approach to bring recommendable changes across several departments of JigjigaUniversity.

Data Mining ◽  
2013 ◽  
pp. 550-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaidoun Alzoabi ◽  
Faek Diko ◽  
Saiid Hanna

BI is playing a major role in achieving competitive advantage in almost every sector of the market, and the higher education sector is no exception. Universities, in general, maintain huge databases comprising data of students, human resources, researches, facilities, and others. Data in these databases may contain decisive information for decision making. In this chapter we will describe a data mining approach as one of the business intelligence methodologies for possible use in higher education. The importance of the model arises from the reality that it starts from a system approach to university management, looking at the university as input, processing, output, and feedback, and then applies different business intelligence tools and methods to every part of the system in order to enhance the business decision making process. The chapter also shows an application of the suggested model on a real case study at the Arab International University.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Baboucarr Njie ◽  
Soaib Asimiran

The “understanding” in terms of interpretation of quality assurance is essential for the acceptance, theorizing and the practical application of the methods proposed by it. A great deal of research papers have often pointed to the lack of understanding, among others, as the reason behind the inadequate nature of implementing quality assurance in higher education institutes. This paper examines the “understanding” levels of two key stakeholders in terms of the meaning they make out of the policy pronouncements on quality. It utilizes the qualitative case study scheme to provoke the thoughts of mainly the academic staff and their administrative counterparts in two public universities. The findings reveal that there exist differences which are mainly grounded on their role and experience in the scope of understanding the purposes served by quality, and the depths of quality management fulfillment among the two categories of stakeholders. This underpins the value of clarifying the philosophy of quality assurance to stakeholders and their involvement for better understanding and ownership.


Author(s):  
Zaidoun Alzoabi ◽  
Faek Diko ◽  
Saiid Hanna

BI is playing a major role in achieving competitive advantage in almost every sector of the market, and the higher education sector is no exception. Universities, in general, maintain huge databases comprising data of students, human resources, researches, facilities, and others. Data in these databases may contain decisive information for decision making. In this chapter we will describe a data mining approach as one of the business intelligence methodologies for possible use in higher education. The importance of the model arises from the reality that it starts from a system approach to university management, looking at the university as input, processing, output, and feedback, and then applies different business intelligence tools and methods to every part of the system in order to enhance the business decision making process. The chapter also shows an application of the suggested model on a real case study at the Arab International University.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 621-646
Author(s):  
Alexander Makulilo

Abstract Does “where to publish” affect academic staff promotion outcome? Using rational choice theory and the University of Dar es Salaam as case study, this article analyses the law and practice associated with academic staff promotion regarding “where to publish”. The article finds that the University has relatively well elaborate and adequate promotion guidelines and institutional frameworks to guide on “where to publish” in line with its vision of becoming a world-class university. Nonetheless, through series of workshops with staff and heads of department as well as interviews with the University management, it was observed that there is still little understanding of “where to publish” among staff although the situation is progressively changing. Some staff prefer predatory journals due to ignorance, frequent failures and lack of confidence to publish in credible journals. Consequently, the annual promotion rate remains low suggesting high rejection of publications by the University due to predatory nature of media of publication and failure by majority staff to publish.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Taylor ◽  
Damian De Luca

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to look at the experiences of university academic staff setting up a small computer games studio to provide work placement opportunities for undergraduate students and the supporting role of industry. Design/methodology/approach – The case study uses sense making to explore the boundaries between “simulated” and “real” work in an educational setting. Findings – For students and teachers to work together in a commercial setting, relationships have to be reconstructed. Teaching focusses on developing the individual and personal attainment, the work environment prioritises the team so that organisational and business needs are met. Differences in culture and working practices between industry and academia and the organisational constraints of a university, present challenges for academic staff engaged in enterprise. Research limitations/implications – The authors recognise the limitations of a single institution case study and intend further investigation into factors around employability, enterprise education and the availability of work experience for students studying in the creative technologies including experiences in other institutions. Practical implications – Practical experience and business knowledge gained through the studio development process by the student and staff, has informed the curriculum through the introduction of team-working modules. The studio provides a unique interface between the university and games industry partners. Originality/value – The study shows the value of a university-based games studio in providing work experience for students and enhancing employability and provides insights into university/industry partnering.


Author(s):  
James Cairns ◽  
Tamara Hervey ◽  
Oliver Johnson

All universities are seeking to develop their students’ skills. Typically, they deploy either or both an independent ‘skills’ offering, separate from disciplinary learning (‘bolt-on’); and/or individual academic staff embedding skills assessment in some modules (‘built-in’). What are the drawbacks of ‘bolt-on’ and ‘built-in’? To what extent does a partnership model, involving an integrated and longitudinal skills curriculum, resolve those drawbacks? Under what circumstances is this possible? What are the main barriers? We present a case study of a major curriculum development in the School of Law at the University of Sheffield to argue that the benefits of partnership probably outweigh either ‘bolt-on’ or ‘built-in’. However, some of the enablers and inhibitors associated with contemporary higher education (HE) may suggest that ‘built-in’ is more viable. This is not primarily because of the difficulties of engaging academic disciplinary specialists; rather it is better explained by structural and institutional rigidities. We therefore recommend courage to take a long view, to aim high, and to celebrate small successes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 887-901
Author(s):  
Yi An ◽  
Howard Davey ◽  
Harun Harun ◽  
Zebin Jin ◽  
Xin Qiao ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the current state of online sustainability reporting in the Hong Kong higher education sector from a variety of perspectives. Design/methodology/approach The multiple case study was the research method for this research. Content analysis of the university website, as well as interview with university management, personnel in the sustainability office, academics and students, were adopted for data collection. An assessment framework for sustainability reporting was developed as an instrument for content analysis, based on G4 guidelines and prior literature. Findings The authors observe that most Hong Kong public universities have a specific webpage for sustainability reporting on the website, which consists of an amount of sustainability-related information in terms of general aspects, specific aspects and stakeholder participation. Moreover, they notice that Hong Kong public universities attach importance to sustainability and its reporting, and they would like to communicate their sustainability activities to various stakeholders and the community where they operate. Practical implications This paper indicates some practical implications for academics, university management, policymakers and sustainability education amongst universities in Hong Kong and beyond. Social implications This paper argues that universities, as a central place to foster talents and future leaders, should operate in a sustainable manner at the first place and then report their sustainability-related activities taking full advantage of the current information and communication technologies, so as to discharge accountability to various stakeholders and meet the expectations of the community where they operate. Originality/value This paper uses a multiple case study approach to explore the status of online sustainability reporting at Hong Kong universities, which contributes to limited research in the area, particularly for online sustainability reporting in the higher education institutions, and makes some contributions to the extant literature.


foresight ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-436
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hoseini Moghadam ◽  
Abtin Heidarzadeh ◽  
Hassan Bashiri ◽  
Hossein Khoshrang ◽  
Ideh Dadgaran

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to answer the question of how scientific excellency can be achieved. The origin of scientific excellency in Iran, national and international experiences concerning the subject has been investigated to review the literature. The authors also designed a process and then a model to test the course. Guilan University of Medical Sciences was selected as a case study for the research. Design/methodology/approach The approach used in this paper is from Future Studies, with emphasis on the “Participatory Learning and Action” method. It means that different stakeholders, including the strategic council members, managers, faculty members, students, alumni and non-academic staff, have been involved in different parts of the process. Findings After semantic analysis of scientific excellency in the theoretical field; the examination of national and international experiences in universities; the analysis of higher-level documents of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education as well as strategic documents of the university; the determination of the strengths and weaknesses of the Guilan University of Medical Sciences in online survey; the completion of the scientific excellency canvas in the expert panel and finally obtaining other stakeholders, a conceptual model was designed for achieving scientific excellency. Practical implications The study of the actions, policies and trends of pioneering universities indicates that it is important to consider issues such as the internationalization of education and research and the modification of university structures. To achieve a superior national and international status, the university must specifically enhance a range of different aspects, from intangible aspects, such as motivation of employees to tangible aspects, such as human resources, structure and facilities. Originality/value Scientific excellency is going to be one of main streams between universities to attract top students and researchers from all over the world. There has been little academic attempt on scientific excellency. In this research, first the authors examined the concept of scientific excellency, criteria and measurement in higher education, then based on that case study and participatory action learning method, a conceptual framework to achieve scientific excellency in Iran’s higher education system was proposed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reetha Nundulall ◽  
Nirmala Dorasamy

Higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa are facing challenges arising as a result of the shift from traditional teaching activities to a combination of research and teaching. Increasing emphasis on research, an integral part of this transformation of higher education, has required HEIs to develop and implement capacity development strategies to enable those new to research to engage in research output; and mentorship is a strategy that is enjoying increasing popularity. This article explores the challenges faced in the implementation of a formal research mentorship programme (REMP), using the University of Johannesburg as a case study. A quantitative approach was adopted to obtain the perceptions of academic staff of REMP as a strategy for building research capacity. The findings reveal that whilst the REMP is strongly favoured by academics as a means of guiding novice researchers, key factors need to be addressed to ensure its success. This article examines the challenges for both mentors and mentees and suggests actions to help mentorship programmes make sustainable contributions to the development of research capacity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-118
Author(s):  
Saipul Wakit ◽  
Ilfi Nurdiana ◽  
Indah Yuliana

In the context of higher education, leadership is a very strategic element, because leadership has a role to encourage change in an organization. Leadership in higher education organizations, of course, the Chancellor is a real leader who plays a role in determining the performance of higher education organizations. The Chancellor as the highest leader in higher education institutions is one element that plays an important role in moving the performance of existing human resources. Besides that, one of the factors that becomes a benchmark for the success of a university is the performance of lecturers. With regard to these assumptions, it can be formulated that the purpose of this research has a concrete goal, namely to analyze and describe how the leadership style of the Chancellor of UM Jember in motivating, trying, and evaluating lecturer performance. The research method uses a qualitative approach with a case study design at UM Jember with data collection techniques through interviews, observation and documentation


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