Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Student Research Assembly, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 School of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Education Development Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Keywords
INTRODUCTION
Since the vision (20-year) has clarified achieving the goals of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1404, there are a lot to do to achieve the top position in all aspects of economic construction, scientific progress and social development in the region. A new approach and special attention to development and implementation of educational and research infrastructures is required. We need to design the reform programs.
Development of science and technology infrastructures of the country is an important mechanism to compete in various fields. Therefore it is extremely important to develop the quality of higher education through a major effort in curriculum reform because higher education has played an important role in the cultural and social development (1).
Educational system and consequently the scientific development of our country have faced with many barriers. To improve the current educational system and research-oriented developments, an innovation process is necessary. In addition to innovative design, to implementation of successful innovations created in the country and its integration with the older patterns and appropriate management in university environments seem necessary (1, 2).
There are 50 universities and colleges of medical sciences in Iran now. According to the approval in Deputy of Education of Ministry of Health and Medical Education, there are three types in universities. Every college or university of medical sciences is placed in one of the three categories.
In this classification, the first type includes the bigger and older universities, the medium universities are placed in the second type, and type three includes newer and smaller schools (3).
The reason behind the classification is related to some challenges in the past and now. The medical sciences universities always try to improve their status, but there are not any accurate and objective criteria and indices. Regarding these problems taking a look at out of the country and reviewing the methods of classification in other universities is necessary and could be helpful to set and make out some accurate and objective indices.
Since a large number of constraints that directly or indirectly affect this process it’s better to classify universities based on some objectives and its results will certainly be effective to improve the performance system. These objectives are 1- reviewing opportunities and constraints in order to help building a momentum in the university 2- a better comparison of performance with regard to infrastructure, 3- compliance with the requirements of the organizational chart; 4- creating an atmosphere of healthy competition and motivation 5- providing the perfect platform for the necessary change and innovation of higher education system in the process input and output conditions; 6- the need to review the type and formulation of local standards that comply with the requirements of the cultural and scientific status of the country.
The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the literature to appraise the data existing about the position of classification of universities in Iran and international arena in international documentation and management policies that are applied for the reform and
improvement of higher education system by outstanding universities in the world. This systematic review study has executed in the following four steps (4).
Step 1: Search for relevant studies:
As the type of classification described, is still at a relatively pioneer stage in Iran and there was no documents about this key word in the native and international sites, thus the review includes all data that screened for the purpose of this review, the concept of classification includes the following definitions and concepts: “classified”, “level” and “categorized”.
We searched in all fields relevant to provide evidence of the classification strategies that have been implemented by universities, focusing on classification strategies in developing higher education international arena, a systematic review of the literature that was limited to publications between 2000- 2011that appeared to target. Databases searched included: Iran Medex, Magiran, SID, IranDoc and medical education journals, Science direct, Google scholar, Eric, PubMed using validated search strategies identifying the following keywords: "(Classification) AND (Medical university) OR (National policies to universities excellence) OR (Initiatives) OR (Successful experience pursuing) OR (World class university) OR (Vision) OR (Mission) OR (Category) OR (Level of classified) "
Title and abstracts were downloaded and duplicated. All potentially relevant papers were retrieved. Data was extracted and coded by reviewers with using a standard process checked. The purpose was to ensure that, as far as possible, all literature in the field was identified, this research yielded 3954 articles, out of these which 122 met the inclusion criteria described.
Step 2: The quality evaluation of the study: we categorized and analyzed the review findings (122 full texts) according to the study design employed, the study quality (low to high relevant studies) ,and the method reported in the primary studies. We presented the results of studies in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Flowchart of selection for systematic review
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Table 1. The main findings |
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The main findings |
As a study / country / year |
Row |
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England aims to compete successfully in the international arena, having focused more on research in universities and in the strategic plans of entering the country since 1980 and strengthened it in 1992. Active marketing of the world, especially China and India, focusing on opportunities such as English language, and international agencies |
International strategies of universities in England/2007 |
1 |
|
Investment, creating incentives for research and its conduct, ranking with an emphasis on community needs |
Convergence and Diversity: The Role and Influence of University Rankings/ 2006 |
2 |
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Indicators of performance rankings for all educational institutions to the difference in mission objectives, Necessary to modify the ranking method, Emphasis on horizontal and indicators of academic rankings. |
University Ranking Systems: A Critique/ 2007 |
3 |
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Performance of the top research universities in America, Improving the performance of universities in Europe; increasing funding and university autonomy, constructive competition between students and professors. |
Higher aspirations: An agenda for reforming European universities/2008 |
4 |
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Efforts to promote global ranking of universities in global marketing, moving from the traditional models of internationalization and higher education reforms in China and Taiwan. |
Emerging regulatory regionalism in university governance: a comparative study of China and Taiwan/2010 |
5 |
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Rankings in recent years caused widespread restructuring of higher education, removing barriers to academic education and research. Economic engine of higher education. |
.Rankings and the Global “Battle for Talent”/ United States/2009 |
6 |
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Excellent position in the global rankings, with an emphasis on business development, international cooperation and exchange of students in academic environments, integration of universities, meeting the Chinese model of development. |
Seeking Excellence in the Move to a Mass System Institutional Responses of Key Chinese Comprehensive Universities/ China/2010 |
7 |
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National ranking based on the necessity of classifying universities according to the mission and a separate group, using the rating unit for all causes of decline to lower levels |
Globalization, national development and university rankings /Australia/ 2008 |
8 |
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Privatization, clarification of University assessment, student exchange, and close relationship with university, industry reform and upgrading the main causes of Europe. Landscape of higher education inevitably moving towards globalization. |
China’s Higher Education Excellence in the Context of Globalization: The World-Class University/China/2006 |
9 |
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Strengthening infrastructure in secondary education, Quality of higher education, independent university, the role of the private sector and focus on improving educational policies of the World Top Ranked University in Seoul. |
A Great Leap Forward to Excellence in Research at Seoul National University/ South Korea/2006 |
10 |
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Achieving the goals of higher education management system capable of promoting technology and staff awareness and standard of performance appraisal system. |
The application of balanced scorecard in the performance of evaluation of higher education Taiwan/2006 |
11 |
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Emphasis on the ratio of output and input processes, role of government policy in promoting university rankings |
Academic quality, league tables, and public policy: A cross-national analysis of university ranking systems/ 2005 |
12 |
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In an effort to evaluate the scientific and objective ranking of universities, providing valuable information about the university and a better understanding of their development |
University ranking using research, educational and environmental indicators /2010 |
13 |
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Efforts to improve the ranking system for higher education. Performance of measurement research of university rankings. |
2006 Academic Ranking of World Universities by Broad Subject Fields |
14 |
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Managers do not need to rely on rankings and use various types of comprehensive evaluation and comprehensive analysis |
Academic Ranking of World Universities And the Performance of Asia Pacific Universities /china /2007 |
15 |
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Emphasis through the establishment of research institute, supporting active researchers, communication training and research, grant funding and research, use of operational indicators for internal and external evaluation processes. Use of research results. |
Institutional Mission vs. Policy Constraint? Unlocking Potential’, Higher Education Management and Policy/ U.S/2005 |
16 |
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Carnegie classification of institutions in the United States in 1970; divided into four categories of universities and colleges and each of the four geographic regions, anticipating future needs and planning for higher education |
New Carnegie Classification Places WSU in Highest Research Category 2006 |
17 |
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Strengthening the relationships in Asia, Europe, and America, giving scholarships to attract outstanding students and providing enhanced facilities for students. The world's top research universities in an effort to join the union |
Japanese flagship universities at a crossroads/ Japanese /2007 |
18 |
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Project 211: enhanced 100 key institution in China, reforming their management systems, 985 Project: To establish a world-class university degree |
University in China.2004-2012 |
19 |
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Table 2. Integrating the main findings of selected studies |
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Results |
Key Concepts |
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The majority of countries compete successfully in the international scientific arena as their main goal. Active marketing in other countries, focusing on opportunities, reform of educational policies, attracting outstanding students, giving scholarship, facilities for students, the world's top research universities to join the union, communication skills in an educational setting, the main provisions of international human resource development prospects of countries in this field. |
Effective presence in international arena |
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Landscape of higher education is moving toward globalization. The powerful management system, technology promotion, University privatization and transparency, making relations with both industry and academia, integration of universities as the main factor correction. |
Promoting higher education system |
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Popularity ranking has restructured higher education. Developing a global partnership, exchanging students integration of academic disciplines, establishment of international agencies, emphasis on academic outputs and processes, strengthening infrastructure in secondary education, professors and students to promote cooperation, independence of universities, focus on policy reform of important policies of the countries of the world. |
Acquisition of the superior position in world rankings |
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The strategy of : giving priority to their education as the key to the success of the educational system, investment, motivation to do research, research funding, research establishment, application of research results, operational indicators used to assess internal and external factors are the most important actions in this regard. |
Focus on research |
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211 new projects, the Chinese government's efforts aimed at strengthening about 100 institutions of higher education as a key national priority for the 21st century is of great importance in improving higher education and increasing the capacity of China's international competitiveness. Change of Carnegie’s classification to another classification in order to promote higher education institutions in the United States. |
Classification of educational institutions |
Step 4: Meta-synthesis of findings: In this step, we conveyed the results of the corresponding articles and concepts that reported a comprehensive classification of articles (Table 2).
RESULTS
This research yielded 3954 articles. Of these, 122 met our inclusion criteria described at the first stage of a systematic review. 94 articles identified through Google scholar and 28 papers were identified through Eric educational site. Although a large number of papers resulted from our search, only a small proportion of these were of sufficient academic rigout to be included in our review. Even with extensive and lengthy search, the searches resulted in 19 papers being selected for more detailed scrutiny out of 122 citations.
Despite extensive search, deep and detailed analysis, no paper is closely related to this viewpoint “Classification". Only there were two evidences in United States and China universities.
China's University Rankings 2000" was developed with three objectives in mind, in this ranking, the universities in China divided in to two groups: Key Universities (universities participating in the Chinese Government's "211 Education Plan" and "Key Universities" accredited by
Education Department of China) and Other Universities (universities not participating in the "211 Education Plan" and "Key Universities"). Universities in these two groups were ranked separately. These rankings were based on 17 indicators in seven categories. In 2001 the indices were adjusted and universities also classified in two categories, as revised all universities were finally in place a floor (5- 6).
The Carnegie universities Classification developed by the Carnegie Foundation (the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education) in 1970. The Basic Classification was published for use in 1973 and subsequently updated every few years. The first classification divided universities and colleges in four categories: national universities, national colleges and universities and regional colleges are divided. Then, each based on geographical regions; North, South, West and Middle West are divided (7-9).
Competition among universities and the evaluation of university performance is a basic priority; it is not a new issue. Each university operated and the priorities of the higher education systems of each country contributed in the development of different approaches for university performance evaluation.
Ranking systems, as appear from literature, are inadequate approaches to evaluate the performance of a university. A
ranking system should emphasize on all educational processes (teaching, research, external engagement) and infrastructure and categorize indicators to inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes. However, if certain changes are incorporated, they can be a useful tool for students and other stakeholders.
Generally, the results of this systematic review can be stated in the form of five following key factors that are the necessary foundations for success.
1. Extending the University’s Global Presence
A global university must adopt a perspective that goes well beyond the physical and intellectual boundaries and expand language and cultural literacy, and provide creative opportunities for faculties and students to work and learn together in international settings. Furthermore collaborations with universities from around the world will increase the academic programs and research initiatives. A study in this regard mentioning globalization was a key component to the success of the British Universities counts after 1992 (11-10).
Also globalization is one of the hottest issues for the East Asian universities; Japanese, Chinese and South Korean universities follow different internationalization strategies. It is the mission of the University of Tokyo as the highest in Asia and 21st in the world in 2011 according to Academic Ranking of World Universities to present to the world a new model for a university that re-establishes faith in knowledge. With this mission the university has founded the office for international academic strategy in order to cooperate with the global community and follow these strategies; promotion of an internationality linked education system through promoting educational and study program for sending students overseas and attempts will be made to attract students from around the world, establishment and operation of overseas research bases, formation of an international consortium to develop closer ties to share in research and education at global standards, contribution to maintaining the system of sharing research with overseas organizations on the basis of mutual agreement (12-15).
2. Higher education system promotion
Higher education as an economic engine must adopt a global perspective through creative opportunities for faculties and students to work and learn together in international settings.
In addition, some studies mentioned that higher education promotion enhanced by these strategies: skilled and capable management, using advance technology. Staff training, estimating future needs of higher education system and planning to supply them, close relationship between industry and universities, increasing investment of industrial sectors on universities, integration of universities.
Whereas the superiority is a multidimensional concept in higher education, the world-class universities are recognized in part for their superior outputs such as; highly qualified faculty, excellence in research, quality teaching and excellent faculty members for research published in top scientific journal research, and producing well-qualified graduates.
Goals are to be achieved are as follows; the private universities, clarification in university evaluation, increasing
the number of post graduate students and international exchange agreements to promote sending the university students abroad and creating virtual university (9, 13-19).
3. Striving to acquire superior position in the world ranking
The most papers have focused on achieving the superior position in the global ranking as an important issue that must be considered. For instance, in order to transform Seoul National University into a world-class university, the reform of higher education focused on factors such as: improving the educational environment, improving the university curriculum, changes in university atmospheres and improving the research activities, emphasizing on international cooperation for establishing or upgrading research and education capabilities of institutions, creating international collaboration with high quality overseas educational institutions overseas through co-operation in a number of programs, adopting incentive systems for professors who have quality journal publications (15-16, 19-23).
Some studies pointed that the evaluation of universities according to the outcomes should be considered on the world rankings and believed that the assessment of higher education learning outcomes on an international scale by creating measures would be valid for all cultures and languages and it should be considered in the ranking process as well as emphasis on inputs (24- 25).
Also many studies were related to describing the various ranking methodologies and their indexes that address them are beyond the scope of this topic.
4. Research- oriented university ( research center)
Another important issue in these studies was to focus on research, comprehensive research-oriented universities. Many universities have a research priority in their education strategy. They pursue frontier knowledge, by promoting excellence in research and consider the establishment of institutes for advanced research to conduct research and educational activities. Some article reviews showed the importance of research more than education (10- 11, 24-26).
5. Classification of universities and institutions of higher education
The Chinese government’s aim to promote the higher education system has run various projects; 211 and 985. Project 211 is a project which aims to strengthen approximately 100 key universities and colleges for the 21st century, to improve the quality of education, research, management, and institutional efficiency. University leaders who have made significant contributions to the university and which focused on the improvement of university management and evaluation system.
The goals of Project 985 also include the expectation that will develop universities into a “world-class” university. This plan aims to develop the top 10 universities in the country in to two stages: in the first stage there are nine universities and the second step there are 40 universities that participated in this project (5).
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is in US News group ranking groups American colleges and universities according to their mission as defined by factors such as the highest level of degrees
conferred by discipline. Fifteen different levels of quality of inputs, process and outputs, and seven variables including: academic reputation, maintenance, faculty, student selectivity, financial resources, added value and contribution rates. Although the Carnegie categories developed for using a multi-measure research index to classify doctorate-granting institutions but it’s also used for some application programs in the United States (7- 9).
DISCUSSION
The study aims to investigate the position of classification in international documents. Iran has launched a new classification system for the universities which is solely used in Iran and less can be seen in international arena. As in other countries the ranking category is used for this purpose. The evaluation and measuring performance of universities in the international arena should be considered as an important activity. There are so many criteria for universities rankings, most of them focused on research performance, and are not relevant to the educational performance and quality of learning and curriculum; these factors are not considered as important criteria in the university world rankings. Although, this method has been seen in a few ranking methods in the US and China concerning their universities missions, some countries have recognized a process for university classifications but there are not any clarified criteria for them which could be due to a distinct, exceptional, and challenging opportunity in a number of top universities with an international mission.
Regarding the importance of presence in international arena, some studies pointed to active marketing, focusing on opportunities, reforming educational policies, attracting the talented students, and university autonomy as the strategies which have to be adopted.
In the Health Comprehensive Plan, the presence in international arena is considered as a general aspect for achieving the health comprehensive goals. To achieve this important aim we need to do some activities such as standardization, promotion indicators of quality the same as global level, international interactions, improving the scientific authority and getting to the top of university ranking (10-11, 27).
Regarding the higher education promotion, capable and competent management system, using advanced and upgrading technology, privatization in higher education, clarification in evaluation of universities, closer relationship between industrial and universities are the main strategies for improving and promoting higher education system. Many of the above mentioned strategies are the findings of this systematic review; these strategies are based on the Health Comprehensive Plan as well (1, 9, 13- 19).
The mission of the most outstanding world universities is based on the importance of the development of the level of knowledge through improvement of student learning process, enhancement of education and research activities, benefitting their own country, origin, and the whole world of education and research activities results. Since the competitive environment among the top universities focuses on attracting the talented and capable students and excellent research, the ranking system in these countries is
stronger (30-28).
Acquisition of the superior position in the world ranking is a very important perspective for most countries. Some outstanding countries have followed many policies for gaining the superior position in the world ranking. These policies are; development of the international cooperation, exchanging faculty members and students, integration of university courses and improving the curriculum, founding the international offices and agencies, emphasis on outputs and university processes, reinforcing the infrastructure in middle education, and focusing on policy improvement. Our country’s scientific comprehensive plan has been focusing on these policies as well (1, 15-16, 19- 23).
The reform of higher education focused on factors such as: improving the educational environment, improving the university curriculum, changes in university atmospheres and improving the research activities, emphasizing on international cooperation for establishing or upgrading research and education capabilities of institutions, creating international collaboration with high quality overseas educational institutions through co-operation in a number of programs, adopting incentive systems for professors who have quality journal publications (15-16, 19- 23).
The results of this study showed, that the process of the conventional form of the classification in Iran has not been seen in other countries and has been replaced with the kind of ranking in other world universities in the national, original, or international levels. Usually, ranking is associated with classification and categorization such as; the Chinese university rankings based on the 211 and 985 Carnegie classification to another classification in order to promote higher education institutions in the United States. The methodologies used in these classifications are consistent with our country’s scientific comprehensive plan (1, 5-6, 7-9).
Also in the country’s scientific comprehensive plan, the universities are divided into three categories: international, national, and regional and has emphasized on the specific missions based on countries basic needs and requirements.
As important tasks for the original universities, we can point to education and promotion of the capacities of human resources for growing and extending their talents and capacities. The national university is also obliged to provide the special educational needs and fundamental researches in the country. In addition, the transnational or international universities are required to do some activities that involve basic theories and hypothesis testing, the scientific leading flows and, provide patterns and synergy of modern methods and also international trading (1).
Research strategy has been followed and considered as a priority in many universities' education strategies as a key to success. They believed that the universities’ senior managers should be institutionalized their research strategies and so established a steadiness between the teachers’ activities in research and teaching. Investment, incentives for research, research funding, research establishment, the application of research results, the use of operational indicators for internal and external assessment is the most important activities in this regard.
The faculty members and researchers have a key role
amongst the important factors that could be enhanced and develop the scientific research and institutions' significant achievements in long term.
Therefore, the universities that attempt to attract, maintain and provide the necessary facilities for themselves can make themselves in line with the research institutions in developed countries and communicate with the other worldwide scientific communities (10-11, 24-26).
The most appropriate method in ranking of the higher education system is categorizing the educational departments in universities.
Besides, a perfectly ranking system should have a deep understanding of the characteristics of higher education and cultural requirements of the country (22,24).
After the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the higher education system has been experienced the main changes with Islamic orientation. Values and democracy have been associated with specialization. Several universities affiliated to the Ministry of Health and other ministries and organizations were founded. Nowadays, there are fifteen (50) universities and the Schools of Medical Sciences in many cities in Iran (3, 31).
Regarding the development of universities and higher education institutions, in order to compare the performance of infrastructure, reforming and improvement of the university organizations based on operational indicators, necessary motivation to improve the performance of universities they are classified in to levels two (2) and three (3). This classification system needs to be revised.
Besides, the integration of medical education with other health services in the Ministry of Health in Iran aims to achieve self-sufficiency in the field of medical education and fulfill the needs of the community health services, and train doctors and medical staff in a holistic and community- oriented education system (31).
Certainly, if we use the criteria and indices that are employed for university rankings and classification in other countries, we have to ignore the health services criteria. Thus, in order to achieve the goals of Vision 1404 better and more effectively, we need to define the well-matched criteria. These criteria must involve the health and treatment service indicators and also have to be in accordance with local conditions and cultural characteristics of the country. Indeed, we have to design a comprehensive ranking method that covers all the missions entrusted related to classification in universities of medical sciences. This method not only includes the criteria of teaching and research but also keeps with the indicators in the health and treatment services.
According to the results of this systematic review, for achieving the academic success, education, research, and improving higher education and acquisition the superior position in world ranking, particular attention should be paid to fundamental issues of development such as; planning, strengthening and expanding the academic and technologic international cooperation and adopting the efficient operational methods for progression in them. It should be considered ,as a pre-condition, to develop strategies and to compile flexible institutional policies for succeeding in the optimization of Higher Education,
development of local criteria and adapting them to suit local condition in community culture for fundamental classification.
Development of regional and international cooperation in higher education according to scientific capacities, and the comparative priority of the country can be leading to equitably development and improvement in scope of creativeness.
Thus, creating the research networks and providing necessary facilities for researchers, particular attention to the occurring changes in management of education, research and technology in worldwide universities and institutions, efforts should be made to strengthen international scientific relations in specialized fields of science and technology and international cooperation with the countries that have progressed towards science and technology according to international criteria and indicators.
Moreover, special support should be given to the promotion and development of studies and researches that realize and analyze rapid changes in science and technology; these are the success factors in the development (1,32).
The noteworthy limitations of this study are lack of documentation regarding the university classification and research in this area. Also, in this review the papers and documents have been in English. Certainly, there is a substantial literature in non-English language countries; because of some language limitations such data was beyond the scope of the current study. It’s hoped, that this review causes the conduction of further studies in this regards, and leads to more attention to this considerable topic in Iran.
conclosion
It seems that the effectiveness of classification hasn’t critically investigated the improvement of university management so far. There isn't a compatible relationship about the requirement and the methodology of classification between the scholars and also there aren’t comprehensive and clarified criteria in this regard. On the other hand, leaving out it will lead to some problems in the process. Therefore, the first step is the explanation of the reasons and purpose of the university classifications for determining the objective criteria in the management of this process.
So, we must begin with precise plans, functional indices, clear, and consistent with the country's indigenous culture. According to the scientific comprehensive map of the country, the universities of medical sciences have been clustered based on three approaches; the use of provincial capacities, national division of labor, and geographical considerations. International documentation showed that most of universities compete on some cases such as size, scope and depth of research, extension of education, and levels of training. We should look at more indicators regarding the performance of the system in the new universities classification, integrated the native and national priorities with international priorities. Due to the fact, it seems that the available classification isn't based on the objective criteria. This required, changing identity in the scientific map of the country, and so universities should be converted to mission –oriented. In this regard we need to
apply the obvious and functional criteria for having a more precise classification. The classification of our view point, should clarify the management of universities processes, breadth and scope of work, the university' s effectiveness in the country, and the role of university in achieving the country’s long- term goals. If we accept this, we will have a sound and more operational classification.
Indeed, this systematic review is considered the international evidence and documentations and so educational sites regarding the classification. Therefore if we want to have a comprehensive and efficient understanding of the universities
classification, we should consider the other dimensions of this topic such as scholars’ opinions for further studies.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to thank the Deputy of Research of Kerman University of Medical Sciences for all their supports.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Funding and support: This research was approved and financially supported by the Deputy of Research of Kerman University of Medical Sciences (code 90.325).
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