implementing the change academic conservatism melita kovačević
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Implementing the Change Academic Conservatism Melita Kovačević Vice-Rector for Science and Technology University of Zagreb UNICA Master Class: “Supervision in Doctoral Education Dubrovnik, 20 – 23 September 2009. Topics:. Definition of the term Two sides of the coin - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Implementing the Change
Academic Conservatism
Melita KovačevićVice-Rector for Science and Technology
University of Zagreb
UNICA Master Class: “Supervision in Doctoral EducationDubrovnik, 20 – 23 September 2009
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Topics: Definition of the term Two sides of the coin Wh – questions of interest:
Why to change? What to change? Who has to change?
Doctoral education as a framework of change Do we really need/want to change? Instead of conclusion
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Conservatism:
1. the political philosophy...
2. political ideas and attitudes that are traditionally associated with cautious attitude...
3. a general unwillingness to accept changes and new ideas. Eg. He has been much criticized for his aesthetic conservatism … the conservatism of older teachers.
Collins Cobuild, English Language Dictionary, HarperCollins Publishers, London
Definition of the term
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Academic Conservatism
Preservation of values
Two sides of the coin
Long history
Tradition
Recognized value
Accumulated knowledge
Generation Gap
Richness Denial
Destruction
Neglecting reality
Persistence to change
Inaction
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EHEA
ERA
European vs. World perspective
- new HE market
- new demands
- changing rules
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Three roles of a modern university in the modern knowledge economy:
- Higher education-Research and development
- Innovation and technology transfer
Facts on ERI triangle
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Why to change?
starting question there is
no need to change
It is just fine It’ll make no good I’m tired of changes …
Wh – questions of interest
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internal resistance to organizational
changes at universities
HOWEVER, historically
universities have been viewed as trendsetters and change agents for society at large
confusing controversy even for academics
Wh – questions of interest
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knowledge society universities are taking most prominent role
nucleus of knowledge producing system
HOWEVER
there is discrepancy btw society and university changes
Wh – questions of interest
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how do universities adapt to new challenges?
their learning capacities are of central relevance
the pace of change is lagging behind the societal needs
adopting to new requirements could be cumbersome process
Wh – questions of interest
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Why?
University has to open towards society
Research
Technology Transfer
Education
“University should be driven by societal and economical changes”
Georg Winckler, EUA President
Dubrovnik – October, 2007
Wh – questions of interest
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What to change?
institutional role internal structure personal obligations, responsibilities, rights role of administration overall system of communication among the
parties efficiency
Wh – questions of interest
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Who has to change?
institution/s structural changes academics students administration people, system
too much? possible? do we want it? how much do we have to do?
Wh – questions of interest
personal level
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putting doctoral education to work
real challenge to academic work
PhD as a hallmark of university
the core role of it’s mission
Doctoral education as a framework of change
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the result of a good doctoral education is not a good doctoral thesis but good new doctor
much harder goal to achieve
Doctoral education as a framework of change
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challenges:
impetus for new forms of doctoral education
the process itself
new divisions/distributions of roles
institution – supervisor – doctoral student
Doctoral education as a framework of change
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how universities can meet new needs:
tradition new demands
core role in PhD education
society
Doctoral education as a framework of change
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resistance to change:
systemic nature of organizational change
infrastructure expert knowledge training long-term vision cost-benefit
Do we really need/want to change?
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change implies improvement:
if you need something to improve,
it means “it is not good enough”
if it is not good enough, we are
not good enough”!!!
or
Do we really need/want to change?
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there is a need for change context is changing, society has new demands
let’s explore how we can be a generation of changes how to match new demands!
Do we really need/want to change?
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“We do not have to fight tradition; we must build and develop new ways based on tradition and accumulated experience”
Aleksa Bjeliš, RectorZagreb, 2009
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Thank you