1. 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

2. 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 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

3. Number of students
August, 2008

4. Number of students
August, 2008

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. SEEU Governance
August, 2008

10. 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

11. 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