Re-reading the role of students in university governance with a qualitative approach (Case study: some selected universities in Tehran)

Student participation in the governance structure within the university is one of the most important issues that the world's leading academic systems have considered for many years. However, this field has been neglected in the domestic research literature. However, this study aims to analyze students' role in governance within the university.

This qualitative research has been compiled with a Conventional Content Analysis strategy. The statistical population of this study consists of Ph.D. students in higher education in all fields in Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, and Allameh Tabatabai universities, who were selected from the mentioned universities using a sampling strategy with a maximum variety of 35 Ph.D. students. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews

In the Findings, the section of barriers for students to participate in six main components; Inefficiency of the governance of the educational system; Intra-academic non-academic governance; Improper teaching and learning system; Dysfunctional rules and regulations; Students' non-participation in governance and cultural weakness was achieved with thirteen subcomponents. Then, corresponding to these six components, strategies for accelerating students' participation in governance within the university were summarized in the form of six main components with thirteen sub-components. Finally, based on the findings, policy recommendations for the Iranian higher education system are stated.

The role of students in governance within the university is an important issue that has been neglected in the domestic research literature. All students participating in this study emphasized the importance of this issue. However, about 38% of students have no experience in participating in university decisions. Accordingly, the findings of this study provide a general representation of the losers and facilitators of student participation in governance that can be the basis for policy in this area.

Innovation and originality: 

Identifying the most important factors preventing students' participation in university governance and providing solutions to remove these factors for greater participation of students in university governance.