Leadership and governance in higher education 2025: can Malaysian universities meet the challenge?. Issue 4 (8th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Inayatullah, Sohail; Milojevic, Ivana
• Editors: Saritas, Ozcan
• Is Part Of: Foresight. Volume 18:Issue 4(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-08-08
• Subjects: Forecasting -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1108/FS-03-2016-0011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-6689

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this report is to present findings of a five day course for AKEPT - the Malaysian Leadership Academy in the Ministry of Higher Education. The course was held from March 24-28th, 2014 for over fifty lecturers, professors, deputy deans and deans from Malaysian universities. Design/methodology/approach: Senior lecturers and professors deliberated for the first three days on the futures of higher education in Malaysia. They presented their scenarios and recommendations to the deans. The deans used these findings to articulate their own preferred futures in the last two days. The futures-oriented discussions were framed by the 'six pillars' futures approach (Inayatullah, 2008; Inayatullah, 2015; Inayatullah and Milojevic, 2015). Findings: The core of their recommendation consisted of a move by 2025 from the current fragmented university governance structure to a streamlined consortium model. Instead of the factory, a collection of linked longhouses or "rumah panjang" was offered as a way forward. This new model would have two immediate benefits: considerable cost savings and enhanced mobility for students and professors. Research limitations/implications: This case study presents scenarios and strategies. Limitations include the willingness of the Ministry to act on these recommendations. However, as this course was part of a number of foresight processes in Malaysia, even if the particular recommendations do not realize, they are steps in creating an ecology of foresight, of possible university transformation. Practical implications: This study links causal layered analysis, scenarios, visions to recommendations in the context of a multi-year foresight process. Originality/value: One of the few workshop-oriented interventions that uses the anticipatory action learning six pillars framework. It is especially valuable as it is the third year of futures intervention in higher education. The study contrasts with traditional expert-based forecasting in Asia.