South East European University, R. Macedonia A CASE STUDY – SEEU Organisation and management of non-profit private higher education in a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual environment Alajdin Abazi Dennis Farrington South East European University, R. Macedonia EAIR FORUM, Copenhagen 2008 August, 2008

Foundation of SEEU SEEU founded 2001 (before the Ohrid Framework Agreement) to address problem of under-representation of Albanian speakers in accredited h.e. in RM but also: First example of multi-ethnic, multi-lingual h.e. in the region.; opened 10/01 with 850 students (now 8500) supported by: International donors contributing 01-08 about €45m, for infrastructure, academic assistance, staff development: about 50% US, 50% EU and others (CH, N, CAN); RM contributed site and: OSCE had major role through then HCNM (Max van der Stoel) August, 2008

Number of students August, 2008

Number of students August, 2008

First phase governance International Foundation (IF) in CH: six professionals (NL, GB, PT, FR, BE, CH); funding administered by management consultants in CH; all decision making functions National Foundation (NF) in RM: advisory function, mainly on academic issues Director appointed to run NF; in 2001 became Rector International as Secretary-General from early 2002 – 2004: in practice all decisions on non-academic issues August, 2008

Second phase governance Statute drafted and operating from autumn 2002 Main functions of IF and NF consolidated in ‘Joint Boards’: in practice most functions continued to be exercised by President of International Foundation, Rector and Secretary-General Why: university organs not fully functioning; donor agreements still in place August, 2008

Third phase governance Transfer of all authority to University Board and SEEU Foundation Three international members and a ‘golden veto’ – why – continuing turbulence in RM higher education Members mainly also holding management functions Fully functioning Senate, Council and Rectorate August, 2008

Final phase New Board from September 2008: clear separation from management; involvement of carefully chosen external members Maintaining three international members (GB, US, SI); professional members from RM and AL; members elected by Senate Plan to introduce student membership in 2009 Fully functioning Faculty structure with operating resource allocation model by 2009 August, 2008

SEEU Governance August, 2008

Issues Autonomy –v- donor expectations and ‘interference’ Political upheaval and shifting opinion Equal treatment –v- founding mission ‘Mindset’ adjustments; public-private - public/private Finance – adjusting academic expectations to the market; HR issues significant Quality – in everything including governance August, 2008

Conclusions Right leadership essential from the start Diplomacy needed Modern governance achieved step by step Keep on track Establish clear strategic framework which can adjust to change August, 2008