Models of Higher Education Governance: Rethinking the Models of Higher Education

Abstract

The conceptualization and role  of  higher  education  has  evolved over  the  years  depending  on the philosophies  of  the  times  and  other  social demand  imperatives.  The Ethiopian higher  education  governance  model in the  last  six  decades  could  be  described  as  the  state  centered  model. HEIs lack the financial,  personnel  and  substantive  autonomy. Regardless  of change  in  regimes, it  did  not  show  any  significant  changes  to  respond  to changes  in  social  demands  and the  governments' own  strategic  goals. Despite  its  contributions  to  socio-political  change  of  the  nation,  where  HE students  are  credited  for  propelling  the  transition  from  a  long  held  feudal system, HEs contribution  to  economic  and  social  growth  of  the  nation  has been stifled. This could be attributed to the governance model the sub sector followed in its  entire  history.  There  has  been  rapid  expansion  of  the  sub sector in the last two decades and a half, but relevance, quality, and outcome of the sub sector are being questioned given the deficit skill set and mounting unemployment  rate  of  the  graduates. All  these factors  call  for  a  significant structural  change  in  the  governance  of  the  sub-sector. The governance of Ethiopian Higher education institutions should evolve commensurate  to  the Emerging mission and social demand for  higher  education  by  reconsidering the current relationship of the state, the HE institutions and the market.