Solutions for the Cultural Barriers to Broadening Knowledge in Universities

The present research uses a descriptive-survey method and its population statistics includes all faculty members of Qom Islamic Azad University. A group consisting of 60 members were chosen randomly to take part in the survey. A researcher-made questionnaire including 10 graded items and 2 open items was used for gathering the data. The data analysis shows that the cultural barriers are the most effective barriers to broadening and developing knowledge in universities. The most appropriate strategies towards broadening knowledge are proposing a comprehensive plan for cultural assimilation and developing appropriate methods for broadening knowledge. The methods of overcoming the cultural barriers to broadening knowledge in universities are respectively: developing theorization chairs, criticism and scientific dialogue, practical support for scientific ijtihad, changing administrative approaches towards enacting policies and priority of man over strategies, maintaining and promoting researchers and university scholar's scientific independence and freedom and professional stability, changing the patterns of managing universities form political bureaucracy to a participatory and incorporative one, internalizing the need for knowledge and changing broadening knowledge and thought into a general value in universities.