JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PLANNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Year:2010 | Volume:16 | Issue:3 (57)|Papers Count:9

The purpose of this research was to analyze funding performance of the Iranian public universities form both expenditure and income perspectives. An empirical research approach was used. The author developed a new behavioral model entitled “budget stochastic frontier”. Furthermore”, “Output – based Budgeting” approach was used. The date analysis from 52 public universities during 2006-2008 revealed that the variables used in the research did not play a significant role in the allocation of funds. The author concluded that “output-based budgeting” approach is not used comprehensively in Iran. Moreover, the use of this approach is not efficient. However the government guarantee of buying the outputs of universities is an efficient strategy for compensating the expenditures of universities.

The Study explored faculty views about curriculum planning in academic programs.Questionnaire was administered to 83 faculty members selected on the basis of stratified sampling method at two different universities – Isfahan university and Isfahan university of Technology. The questionnaire was consisted of the following scales: Major, course content, curriculum objectives, curriculum implementation, curriculum evaluation, and curriculum change. The results indicated that the faculty members desired to be involved in the executive processes. They believed that senior faculty members should play a major role in the design of curriculum and representative faculty members in the evaluation of curriculum.

Service and production systems in new knowledge economy have been based on knowledge and technology. Higher education and university are expected to promote their capabilities for accountability, and their demands’ orientation. The time of academic ivory towers is finished. The purpose of this research was to attain a conceptual model for interaction between higher education/university and other systems of production and service. The meta-analysis method was used to synthesize and combine the results of studies and theories. The research findings show the capacities and limitations of each alternative conceptual models. These models included neoclassical theory, evolutionary theory, traditional views and network view to the innovation, late versions of the evolutionary approach, triple helix of the government, university and industry, Borrel-Damian’s model for university/industry cooperation, knowledge- technology transfer, technology license and bridging cultures theory that were examined comparatively. The research result included a synthetic desired model based on the participatory constructivism that was displayed in form of twenty six guidelines and two final models at macro and micro levels.

The experience of advanced countries shows that using a systematic approach in determining strategic objectives, evaluating performance and using results for performance improvement is a vital principal in success of organizations. The performance evaluation of defense research centers, budget allocations, development and outfits, the closure, merging or ranking of these centers in accordance with 20 year outlook defense research plan are all among the major concerns of defense research management. The purpose of this research was to design an appropriate performance evaluation system for defense research centers in line with the objectives of Iran's defense research system. This was carried out through background review, identification of current performance evaluation models for research and non-research organizations, identification of defense research centers characteristics, identification of constituencies and stakeholders needs. Furthermore, current indicators were reviewed and reformed. The population of this study was a group of high level managers and specialists in the field of performance evaluation and related fields. A sample of 22 qualified people was selected. This research utilized methods such as interviews, surveys and counseling meetings with the elites. Using literature review, different performance evaluation models were carefully evaluated. One-sample t test, and analysis of variance were used. Finally, by selecting Balanced Score Card (BSC) as a basic model, a performance evaluation system for defense research centers was designed and presented. The result of study indicated that the selected model for performance evaluation of these centers is characterized by comprehensiveness, compatibility with strategies, capability for continuous improvement, dynamics, standardized scoring, user’s friendly and symmetry.

Undertaking business venture is a way of reducing unemployment problem. The purpose of this research was to examine the influence of entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial behavior of industrial engineering students of payame-Noor University in Kermanshah. A total of students with and without entrepreneurial education were selected on the basis of simple random sampling. Structural equation modeling and multi variant analysis of variance were used to analysis the data. Research findings indicated that students, enterprise and entrepreneurial education were correlated with positive attitude, subjective norms, self-efficacy beliefs and entrepreneurial behavior. Researchers encouraged educators to promote positive norms and attitudes through creating entrepreneurial atmosphere. Furthermore, it was pointed out that entrepreneurial self efficacy could be improved by self-directed learning and mastery learning.

The aim of this research was to explore the quality and quantity of Iranian articles published in the field of medical and related sciences during the period 2004-2009 in Pakistan and Iran academic Journals. The author used Scopus databank. The results indicated that the two Pakistani journals (Journal of Biological Sciences and Journal of Applied Sciences) despite their poor scientometric indexing published more Iranian articles than the Iranian Journals. Publishing papers in journals which are indexed in international indices is regarded as a necessary condition for academic promotion of faculty members and also for the PhD graduates who intend to apply for academic positions. Such a demand tempts researchers to publish papers in journals which despite being indexed in known indices are not highly regarded in research/academic circles. Therefore, to promote research excellence the misguided exercise of publishing in unqualified journals must be discouraged and stopped.

Technical skill of agricultural faculty members is essential in providing change in the agricultural sector. The objective of this research was to identify and analyze skill requirements of faculty members of agricultural colleges of Iran. The questionnaire was administered to 404 agricultural faculty members selected on the basis of proportional stratified random sampling method. Results of exploratory factor analysis revealed that information technology, communication, mastery, use of strategies and status explained 70.66 percent of total variance of the professional skills. Furthermore, statistically significant differences among assistant, associate, full professors and their places of studies were found. Finally, the researchers discussed policies that could raise the technical skills of faculty.