Presenting a Model for Competencies of a University Good Governor: Qualitative Approach

In the 21st century, knowledge production institutions, especially universities, have a heavy responsibility and to achieve the missions and functions that society expects from institutions, especially the university, they must be able to use their maximum power and capacity. One of the most important capacities that can be used in the university, which somehow overcomes others, is its managerial and governing capacity and competencies, and the president or governor of the university with the highest executive and scientific responsibility should by playing an excellent governing and managerial role, provided the ground for the realization of the missions and goals of the university. In the present study, to achieve this goal, the qualitative research method was used to provide a model of university good governor competencies. For this purpose, 23 professors and higher education experts who were aware of the subject and with a purposeful sampling strategy were selected and interviewed in a semi-structured manner. Thematic analysis technique (theme) was used to analyze the data. In order to evaluate the quality of the data, the validity (reliability) and reliability (reliability) of the findings were provided. After implementing the content of the interviews and analyzing them, seven main competencies (leadership-managerial competence, organizational competence, professional-technical competence, functional competence, individual-personality competence, spiritual-moral competence and value-creating competence) were identified and discovered for the model of university good governor competencies. The seven main competencies of this qualitative study can be used as one of the appropriate models in the selection and appointment of university governors.

The problems and challenges of the country's universities have accelerated compared to before. Globalization of university goals, widespread competition, inappropriate curricula, parallel work and re-employment at the university, lack of attention to participatory management, excessive attention to evidence-based and quantitative, lack of independence, meritocracy, transparency and accountability in the university, existence External interferences and pressures in the university, rent-seeking and political work in the university and other issues are among these challenges. In such a spatial, the management system and governance of universities must be equipped with new management models and approaches to face the issues ahead. In order to fulfill this great mission, it is necessary for universities to have the necessary capability, independence, dynamism, flexibility and adaptability to the environment, responsibility, rule of law, transparency, accountability and legitimacy by using the model of good university governance. It is not possible to have a good university governor at the university.considering that after the researches and researches, there was no evidence of a comprehensive and appropriate model in the field of competencies of a good university governor, the present study seeks to answer the question: what is the appropriate model of competencies of a good university governor?

Since universities and institutes of higher education in Iran have weaknesses and harms in the field of university administration and governance. Therefore, in the present study, an attempt has been made to provide a favorable model for the competencies of a university good governor.Theoretical frameworkThe term "good governance" was first used in 1979 by economist Williamson in the economic literature and later in other scientific studies. Good governance is synonymous with transparency, accountability, justice, participation and the promotion of equality before the law.Researchers examine good governance from different perspectives. In this research, it has been addressed from a managerial perspective. In the managerial approach, management in the university is of special importance. Because most people who take over the presidency of the university are not ready to govern and have a clear understanding of what the profession of university management and governance requires. In the US National Survey, conducted between 1990 and 2000, only 3% of the 2,000 university leaders were trained and educated to hold a university management position. Therefore, it must be said that the traditional model of management can not meet today's conditions, so paying attention to the development of competencies and skills of a good university governor in the field of higher education is an undeniable necessity.

The present research is applied research in terms of purpose and qualitative research in terms of data collection. The statistical population of this study included all higher education experts in Iran who were interviewed in depth using 23 non-probabilistic and purposeful sampling methods. In order to identify the competencies of a university good governor, semi-structured interviews were used and for the analysis of qualitative data (interview texts), the thematic analysis technique (theme) was used. Also, in order to evaluate the quality of the data, the validity (reliability) and reliability (reliability) of the findings were provided.

Findings showed that the model of good university governor competencies has 7 dimensions and 24 components including: leadership/managerial competencies dimension (scientific and skill management competencies, partnership and consensus-oriented, self-organization and organization), organizational competencies dimension (goal setting and mission orientation, Legislation and legislature, decentralization and delegation, being a native of the university), specialized/technical competencies dimension (specialized and empirical authority and acceptance, technical and executive competencies), functional competencies dimension (efficient and effective, teamwork, model and coach Academics), individual/personality competencies dimension (creative and entrepreneurial, cognitive ability, desire for agility/dynamism and progress, risk-taking and competitive, communication and social skills, brave and independent), spiritual/moral competencies dimension (believer and committed to performance) Governance is religious and moral, responsible and accountable, healthy and anti-corruption) and then value-creating competencies (meritocracy, professionalism).

In this study, an attempt was made to identify and examine the competencies of a good university governor from the perspective of Iranian higher education experts. Given that designing a model of a good university governor is the first step in designing and explaining the system of selection and appointment of university governors and administrators. Therefore, it is suggested that managers and officials of the higher education system consider the process of its implementation in universities and higher education institutions of the country.