Autonomy and Accountability – New Models of Institutional Autonomy Presentation to the International Seminar „The University of the 21st Century – Emerging Models of Independence“ Novi Sad, 28 - 30 October 2005 Dr. Josef Lange, State Secretary, Ministry for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony, Hannover, Germany

Challenges by Changes Expansion of the higher education sector for more than one third of an age-group: „democratisation of higher education“ Internationalisation of economy and science: „globalisation“ Development of science based society: „knowledge economy“ Competition for reputation, persons and funds Speed of change and innovations: science (research and development), organization, funding © J. Lange

Challenges for Universities Competition (regional, national, international): reputation scientists, young researchers, students: “brain gain/ circulation” funding for research and teaching basic funding (on federal state‘s level) Concentration (staff and resources) on strengths by setting priorities and posteriorities Cooperation in all fields: strategic alliances Corporate identity in tension between individual and institutional autonomy © J. Lange

Challenges for Universities require (1) Concepts and strategic planning: diversification according to different expectations of students labour market science (R & D) HEI’s stakeholders (= society,state, foundation, members, etc.) Connecting universities and society: responsibility, accountability, periodic reporting to government, parliament, the public © J. Lange

Challenges for Universities require (2) responsibility and accountability of universities for students (and their lifetime) quality of research, teaching and degrees public funds = taxpayers‘ money: effectivity and efficiency individual freedom of research and teaching development of knowledge and science problem-defining and -solving for society © J. Lange

Universities need autonomy in Selecting and admitting students Hiring staff Financing from different sources: State, research funds, teaching funds = fees, private income (donations, own companies, etc.) Internal distribution of funding according to profiles and performance Organizing their internal structure according to different needs and expectations © J. Lange

Universities need Distance to the State: due to the speed of change in higher education and research politics and administration cannot organize science in an apropriate way Different models of autonomy according to the different legal, social and financial situation in various countries: individual solutions for countries and universities Diversification according to role and mission Setting priorities and posteriorities coordinated with other universities within the State © J. Lange

Tasks of Modern States concerning Universities in State Responsibility (1) HE as a public good in public responsibility - ministry as a “holding” of State-universities Providing legal structures: - organisation follows tasks: individual solutions for universities, ensuring a common framework - personal responsibility and accountability: definition and differentiation of functions - advice, decision, control; - tension between professional management / leadership and academic participation (“demo-cracy” in university) © J. Lange

Tasks of Modern States concerning Universities in State Responsibility (2) Providing resources, reliable for several years, according to - role and mission - performance in student / graduate numbers - differentiated to disciplines, research and develop-ment (incl. education & training of young acad.) - effectivity and efficiency of using funds - contract management between State and universities on several years Setting rules for university income from private sources © J. Lange

Quality Assurance of Higher Education Institutions Regulation Quality of Allocation of resources contents, organi- Standards sation, results, Controlling processes Transparency - Consulting - Competition Evaluation/Accreditation © J. Lange

University of the future (1) Improvement of quality and performance by competition: Individual profile through differenciation: adaptable struktures for persons - strategic planning for innovation and networking: internally, other universities, research institutes, companies, society Framework for technical, social, institutional, mental innovations: science = „expectation of the unexpected“ © J. Lange

The University of the future (2) develop an individual profile by institutional diver-sification and strategic cooperation work in and be organised for interdisciplinary groups - based on solid specialisation be open-minded for international and intercultu-ral cooperation and regard its local responsibility integrate information and communication tech-nology, supporting not substituting the campus develop and defend institutional autonomy and corporate identity to guarantee individual freedom © J. Lange

Thank you for your attention! © J. Lange