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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