Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education: A Critical Examination of Governance and Policy

The contemporary university has evolved into a multifaceted institution, serving not only as a hub for research, professional training, and knowledge dissemination, but also as a pivotal component of economic machinery and societal advancement, especially within the context of globalization and inte...

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Main Authors: Francisco Rubio, Carlos Llopis-Albert, Daniel Palacios-Marqués, Dayanis García-Hurtado, Souzhen Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universitat Politècnica de València 2024-10-01
Series:Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/MUSE/article/view/22210
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author Francisco Rubio
Carlos Llopis-Albert
Daniel Palacios-Marqués
Dayanis García-Hurtado
Souzhen Zeng
author_facet Francisco Rubio
Carlos Llopis-Albert
Daniel Palacios-Marqués
Dayanis García-Hurtado
Souzhen Zeng
author_sort Francisco Rubio
collection DOAJ
description The contemporary university has evolved into a multifaceted institution, serving not only as a hub for research, professional training, and knowledge dissemination, but also as a pivotal component of economic machinery and societal advancement, especially within the context of globalization and intense competition. These institutions are now expected to significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of their surroundings, striving for excellence and competing within an increasingly interconnected global framework. To meet these heightened expectations, universities have undergone profound transformations over recent decades. This period of change is particularly notable within the Spanish context, mirroring the broader societal shifts since the onset of the democratic transition in 1975 through to the present day in 2024. This era has necessitated substantial reforms in university governance, equipping these institutions with the requisite tools to navigate and address emerging challenges effectively. A pivotal moment in this transformative journey was the enactment of the University Reform Law of 1983. Grounded in constitutional principles, this law marked a significant milestone in updating and revitalizing university education in Spain. After this, the Organic Law on Universities of 2001 further aligned the Spanish university framework with the broader European educational landscape, reinforcing the integration and competitiveness of Spanish institutions on a continental scale. However, to comprehensively grasp the magnitude and implications of these changes, it is essential to extend our analysis beyond the immediate past and explore the historical trajectory of Spanish universities over previous centuries. By examining this extensive historical context, we can better understand the foundational elements that have shaped the current state of higher education. This article aims to meticulously analyze the evolution of the Spanish university system, delineating the chronological progress, identifying persistent challenges, and engaging in a critical discourse on potential solutions. Through this examination, the article seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the interplay between historical legacies and contemporary reforms, offering insights that are essential for shaping the future trajectory of higher education in Spain.
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publisher Universitat Politècnica de València
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spelling doaj-art-96136e5a30854729a0522d2129d5d5f22025-08-20T02:10:14ZengUniversitat Politècnica de ValènciaMultidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences2341-25932024-10-011127810710.4995/muse.2024.2221021400Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education: A Critical Examination of Governance and PolicyFrancisco Rubio0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3465-702XCarlos Llopis-Albert1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1349-2716Daniel Palacios-Marqués2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6415-2025Dayanis García-Hurtado3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8363-3898Souzhen Zeng4Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaUniversitat Politècnica de ValènciaUniversitat Politècnica de ValènciaValencian International UniversityNingbo UniversityThe contemporary university has evolved into a multifaceted institution, serving not only as a hub for research, professional training, and knowledge dissemination, but also as a pivotal component of economic machinery and societal advancement, especially within the context of globalization and intense competition. These institutions are now expected to significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of their surroundings, striving for excellence and competing within an increasingly interconnected global framework. To meet these heightened expectations, universities have undergone profound transformations over recent decades. This period of change is particularly notable within the Spanish context, mirroring the broader societal shifts since the onset of the democratic transition in 1975 through to the present day in 2024. This era has necessitated substantial reforms in university governance, equipping these institutions with the requisite tools to navigate and address emerging challenges effectively. A pivotal moment in this transformative journey was the enactment of the University Reform Law of 1983. Grounded in constitutional principles, this law marked a significant milestone in updating and revitalizing university education in Spain. After this, the Organic Law on Universities of 2001 further aligned the Spanish university framework with the broader European educational landscape, reinforcing the integration and competitiveness of Spanish institutions on a continental scale. However, to comprehensively grasp the magnitude and implications of these changes, it is essential to extend our analysis beyond the immediate past and explore the historical trajectory of Spanish universities over previous centuries. By examining this extensive historical context, we can better understand the foundational elements that have shaped the current state of higher education. This article aims to meticulously analyze the evolution of the Spanish university system, delineating the chronological progress, identifying persistent challenges, and engaging in a critical discourse on potential solutions. Through this examination, the article seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the interplay between historical legacies and contemporary reforms, offering insights that are essential for shaping the future trajectory of higher education in Spain.https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/MUSE/article/view/22210university senategoverning councilsocial councilfacultygovernance policiessocioeconomic development
spellingShingle Francisco Rubio
Carlos Llopis-Albert
Daniel Palacios-Marqués
Dayanis García-Hurtado
Souzhen Zeng
Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education: A Critical Examination of Governance and Policy
Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences
university senate
governing council
social council
faculty
governance policies
socioeconomic development
title Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education: A Critical Examination of Governance and Policy
title_full Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education: A Critical Examination of Governance and Policy
title_fullStr Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education: A Critical Examination of Governance and Policy
title_full_unstemmed Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education: A Critical Examination of Governance and Policy
title_short Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education: A Critical Examination of Governance and Policy
title_sort navigating the evolving landscape of higher education a critical examination of governance and policy
topic university senate
governing council
social council
faculty
governance policies
socioeconomic development
url https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/MUSE/article/view/22210
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