LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONSTRAINTS TO INNOVATION IN UNIVERSITIES

Transcription

1 International seminar Innovative approaches to education in the private higher education sector Universidad Europea, Madrid, Spain, November 2013 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONSTRAINTS TO INNOVATION IN UNIVERSITIES Prof. Dr. Atilla Eris (Istanbul Bilgi University)

2 Here, I am not going to explain what the definition of bureaucracy or the history of bureaucracy or what the Theory on bureaucracy of Max Weber is. Nevertheless, at the beginning of my presentation I would like to stress that the bureaucracy means rules and hierarchy in many cases generally. Certainly, there are positive and as well as negative aspects of the bureaucracy in the management of the state and its institutions. A. Eris,

3 On the other hand, there is no doubt, creativity and innovation in science and art need independency and freedom and autonomy. In this instance we can ask does the Bureaucracy restrict to Innovation in the universities? In this regard to taking into account some important points would be useful primarily. A. Eris,

4 Bureaucratic procedures are often perceived as inefficient and frustrating. Bureaucracy includes hierarchy, specific configuration of authority, centralization and contractualization of organizational relationships, formalization of rules, standardization, authorization, officialization, disciplinization and impersonalization of organizational action (1, 2, 3). A. Eris,

5 In bureaucratic ways, except of the parliament, many institutions play an important role as a rule maker; making their regulations without exceeding of the legal regulations of the parliament. Bureaucracy has the power stemming from laws and regulations. Nevertheless sometimes bureaucrats may show more power than reality!!! That s why sometimes we can define the bureaucracy as the invisible government! (1) A. Eris,

6 What are we expecting from bureaucracy? Actually, we expect not only to spend maximum effort in solving problems but also to arrange them completely, whether solvable or not. And also, we expect that it makes easy all the frustrating procedures that inhibit the innovation activities. A. Eris,

7 Let s look at the innovation concept. As we all know, Innovation is the introduction of new ideas, application of better solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulate needs, or existing market needs. That means to find more effective and useful products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are readily available to markets and society (5). So, innovation results bring commercialization. A. Eris,

8 Commercialization of the University Researches is very important in many views because it Provides a return to public investments in research, Justifies new research allocations, Provides a source of new companies, Provides services to companies within the innovation ecosystem (4). And also it Provides powerful budget in the universities Provides ranking priority and honors for the university among others. A. Eris,

9 According to the classical approaches innovation has a linear process: (4) Basic Research Applied Research Development Commercialization A. Eris,

10 But in the reality, innovation has a complex process (4): In many times major overlaps can be seen between Basic and Applied Research, as well as between Development and Commercialization; Principal Researchers & Investigators and/or Patents and Processes are Mobile, i.e., not firm-dependent; Many Unexpected Outcomes can be gained; Technological inventions may be preceded as well with basic research. A. Eris,

11 AND sometimes researches can be Applied, Practical, and Basic together at the same time A. Eris,

12 As parallel to these approaches, pure research and education are not only the main university roles. Because (4), a) University research related to industry helps generate training and skills necessary for productive lines generally; b) Industry s needs and questions can drive university research and be a source of relevant publications. A. Eris,

13 After explaining this, can we say, Knowledge- based technologies need basic research, can it be true for our century and the future? Clearly, YES. So, university researches and innovation activities are important instruments of higher education, which has indispensable character. A. Eris,

14 Under these circumstances, universities in 21 st century need to teach next generations, conduct research and commercialize for the knowledge economy. Here, the key factor is University-Industry Cooperation. From this point of view, especially regional economies need their research universities more than ever before. A. Eris,

15 That s Why, Innovation in the Universities with its all dimensions (opening of the new programs is also inclusive) needs very tight relations With industry. A. Eris,

16 The relations between Bureaucracy and Innovation in Universities A. Eris,

17 As well known, universities with own research capability and capacity all over the world take part in the center of the innovation activities. So, there are very tight relations between bureaucracy and innovation activities in universities. A. Eris,

18 As shown here; university, society, business world and government affect total innovation capacity in a country. Business world encourages and supports the innovation with the universities together and implements the results of the innovation. Universities lead the innovation with their scientific capacity TOTAL INNOVATION CAPACITY Society encourages the innovation with the demands & needs. Government provides suitable medium and all the necessities for the innovation. Here, instead of bureaucratic state participant state should be targeted. A. Eris,

19 Without a doubt, the synergy of a hi-tech industrial centers in many developed countries that strengthen the know-how and research potential of university researchers and students, is creating an academia-industry ecosystem suitable for innovation and excellence. It is time to focus on the business of innovation. It is time, especially for some countries, to take a serious look at their dinosaur bureaucracies and related government departments, where the simplest tasks can usually become huge problems. It is time to create a professional environment that efficiently encourages and promotes economic development and innovation activities in the universities. A. Eris,

20 That s why the 21 st century universities need more autonomy and more partnerships with the business world. For this purpose, the decentralization of the university governance is absolutely necessary, especially in some countries like Turkey. Autonomy, but with heightened external accountability requirements, for example on funding and quality assurance. A. Eris,

21 Now, let s make a little bit of Devil s Advocacy A. Eris,

22 Many times we emphasize that innovation needs the proper environment. Theoretically, under less formality, rules, procedures as well as policies; researchers and workers will become more creative. So, institutions / companies are trying to release the creative spirit through fighting bureaucracy and centralization. If the bureaucracy is left aside, creativity and innovation should boom. It sounds so simple. A. Eris,

23 Actually, according to the necessities needful rules and policies are understood. The true and needful bureaucracy doesn't cause failures in innovation,. but the wrong bureaucracy does A. Eris,

24 It will be a mistake to think that innovation develops by simply dissolving the bureaucracy. In many times, formal systems and procedures are the identification mark of successful organizations. So instead of completely elimination of existing formal regulations, it would be more effective and productive to re-evaluate the view of bureaucracy and to develop new and innovative ways by using formal systems that promote innovation. A. Eris,

25 Parallel to this, selection and elimination of the negative factors that inhibit innovation and creative thinking of researchers, would be more effective and realistic. Each country has its own conditions for bureaucratic applications. It depends mainly on their traditional state structure and management approaches and of course their policies. A. Eris,

26 For all that, absurd, meaningless and meddlesome centralization and bureaucracy is the enemy of innovation. Such kinds of approaches are unacceptable. This point should be explained and admitted clearly. A. Eris,

27 Meaningless Bureaucracy inhibits and -in many cases- destroys initiative, whereas, Initiative has a vital importance for creativity and innovation activities. A. Eris,

28 Certainly everywhere there are positive or negative examples about application of bureaucracy and governance. Now I would like to give & explain some examples from Turkish higher Education system very briefly to understand much better the situation of the higher education system and the bureaucratic approaches. A. Eris,

29 THE BUREAUCRACY IN TURKISH UNIVERSITIES A. Eris,

30 Turkish higher education dates back to the Nizamiye Madrasa, founded by Seljuk Turks in Baghdad during the 11 th century. The Madrasa offered courses in religion and rhetoric as well as in philosophy, mathematics, astronomy and medicine. In 18 th century, the first diversion from the traditional education of the Madrasas was realized by opening of the Imperial Naval Engineering College (1773) and the Imperial Military Engineering College (1795). These two institutions were later merged to form the roots of today s Istanbul Technical University. A. Eris,

31 By the end of the 19 th century and in the early 20 th century during the last period of Ottoman Empire, several other state institutions of higher education, similar to the Grandes Ecoles, were opened under French influence. Soon after the proclamation of the Republic, Madrasas and other religious schools were abolished. Afterwards, Grand National Assembly of Turkish Republic enacted a law in 1933 and established Istanbul University instead of Darülfünun. A. Eris,

32 In the meantime, several independent schools and faculties were established in the new capital Ankara such as the School of Law, the Agricultural Institute, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine, etc. They were amalgamated to form Ankara University in The established pattern of the Turkish university based on the Continental European model underwent a critical change in the 1950 s, and four new universities (METU, KTU, EU and Atatürk Univs.) were set up as campuses showing the American university model, rather than the urban universities. A. Eris,

33 After the Military Putsch in 1980, with the new Constitution in 1981, new provisions were made for the higher education. Currently, all universities in Turkey serve under the Higher Education Law enacted in Afterwards, all higher education institutions were radically reorganized. The new approach of the system makes possible establishing higher education institutions by non-profit foundations. A. Eris,

34 So, in Turkey non-profit foundation universities have been established after this regulation. As well as this, establishment of profit based universities in Turkey are prohibited by law. First foundation university Bilkent was established in Ankara in Starting with this date more and more foundation universities increased. The system has been expanding during the recent years. A. Eris,

35 Higher education institutions can be classified as follows: Universities Public Universities Non-Profit Foundation Universities Institutes of High Technology, Foundation Post Secondary Vocational Schools, Other Higher Education Institutions (Police Academy and Military Schools). A. Eris,

36 ORGANIZATION & GOVERNANCE IN TURKISH HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM (Bureaucratic Overview) A. Eris,

37 COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION (CoHE-YÖK) The Council of Higher Education is an autonomous corporate public body; responsible for the planning, coordination and supervision of higher education. A. Eris,

38 Bureaucratic Approaches, Main Functions and Duties of the CoHE To prepare short and long-term plans for the establishment, development, and realization of educational activities of the higher educational institutions in Country, To promote continual cooperation and coordination among the institutions of the higher education, To ensure the establishment and development of the higher education institutions in conformity with the objectives and principles set forth by the law. A. Eris,

39 Universities, faculties, institutes, four-year schools and vocational schools can only be founded by the law after the approval of the Council. Departments and research centers can be established by the Council of Higher Education. The opening of a degree program at any level is subject to ratification by the Council. A. Eris,

40 Admission to undergraduate degree programs is centralized and based on a nation wide twostage examination, administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). The Council determines the quotas and admissions of students for the universities. Finance Ministry allocates the budgets for the state universities after the confirmation of the Council. All of the academic staff placement in state universities is subject to ratification of the Council. A. Eris,

41 Appointments of the Rectors & Deans: In the first stage six Rector-Candidates are elected in the universities; in the second stage three of them selected by the Council of Higher Education; then one of them appointed as the Rector for a university by the President of the Republic. This type of Rector Appointment is for the State Universities. In the Foundation Universities, the Candidate of Rector offered by the Board of Trustees to the Higher Education Council. After the ratification of the Council, the Rector will be appointed by the Board of Trustees. A. Eris,

42 The Council also appoints the Deans of the State universities. The Board of Trustees appoints the Deans of the Foundation Universities after the confirmation of the Council. A. Eris,

43 The Minister of National Education represents higher education in the Parliament and can chair the meetings of the Council but has no vote. In addition to YÖK, there is another important academic body in Turkish higher education system named Interuniversity Council. The Interuniversity Council is an academic advisory and a decision-making body in some academic matters and consists of rectors of all universities and one additional member from each university. A. Eris,

44 The Decisions of the Inter-university Council should be approved by the CoHE. Sometimes CoHE can change the Decisions of Inter-University Council. A. Eris,

45 THE COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION 7 MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERMENT 7 MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 7 MEMBERS ELECTED BY THE INTERUNIVERSITY COUNCIL 21 MEMBERS (EACH FOR A RENEWABLE TERM OF FOUR YEARS) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (9 Members) IT IS A 9 MEMBER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, ELECTED AMONG ITS MEMBERS A. Eris, THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL IS APPOINTED AMONG ITS MEMBERS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 45

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48 According to the Law 2547 hierarchically organizational charts of the universities should be as illustrated here. A. Eris,

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50 A. Eris,

51 RECTORATE (Rector and Vice Rectors) GENERAL SECRETARY STRATEGY & PLANNING HEALTH CARE HUMAN RESOURCES FINANCE & ACCOUNTING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STUDENT AFFAIRS LAW OFFICE & ADVISORY CONSTRACTION & MAINTENANCE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS LIBRARY & PRINTING HOUSE ADMISSION & OUTREACH ORGANIZATION OF GENERAL SECRETARY & OFFICES

52 Above illustrated hierarchical organizations show that the main legally authorized and responsible position of the university is Rectorate (Rector and Vice Rectors). General Secretary is the chief of all administrative offices of the university, who accountable to the Rectorate. A. Eris,

53 ADMISSIONS A. Eris,

54 For National Students: Admission to undergraduate degree programs is centralized and based on a nation wide two-stage examination administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Admission to postgraduate programs is directly conducted by the HEIs within the frameworks of the publicly available national and institutional regulations. A. Eris,

55 For Foreign Students: Admission of foreign students to undergraduate degree programs was used to be centrally managed via an examination called the "Examination for Foreign Students" (YÖS) by However, since 2010, admission of foreign students to the programs at all levels of HE can be done by direct applications of candidates to the HEIs. The candidates are assessed by the HEIs within the frameworks of the publicly available national and institutional regulations. A. Eris,

56 Foreign students who wish to pursue their graduate / post-graduate studies in Turkey also apply directly to the universities, which set their own admission requirements. Scholarships are available for some international students from the Turkish Ministry of National Education. A. Eris,

57 LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTIONS The main language of instruction in the higher education institutions is Turkish; however, some universities use English, French and German as the language of instruction preceded by one-year language preparatory classes. A. Eris,

58 FINANCE OF THE HE IN TURKEY: Public financing is mainly for public universities, Private financing is adopted for foundation universities. A. Eris,

59 The major source of income of public universities is the funds allocated through the annual state budget. In addition to the annual budget, provided by the state, each university has three more sources of income: 1.Income from the services provided by the university, (such as patient care in university hospitals, and contract research, which is called a floating capital fund); 2. Income from Student tuitions; and 3. Research fund made up of a lump sum grant from the state-provided budget plus a portion of the income from the floating capital fund and from earmarked projects given by the State Planning Organization. A. Eris,

60 Foundation Universities have three different sources of funding: Contribution of founding foundation, Student tuitions, Government aids. The proportional shares of these sources of funding vary from university to university. A. Eris,

61 Until the beginning of autumn semester in 2012, Tuition Fees in State Universities were determined each year by the Government. Last year the Government abolished tuition fees. However, students who are unsuccessful in regular period of their education will pay tuition fees. The Board of Trustees of each foundation university determines Tuition Fees in Foundation Universities separately. A. Eris,

62 SOME STATISTICAL DATA ON TURKISH HIGHER EDUCATION A. Eris,

63 NUMBER OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN TURKEY* STATE UNIVERSITIES 104 FOUNDATION UNIVERSITIES* (Non-Profit) 71 FOUNDATION POSTSECONDARY VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS (Non-Profit) 8 OTHER HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (Police Academy and Military Schools) 11 TOTAL 194 A. Eris,

64 A. Eris, NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES IN YEARS YEARS NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES (27+1) (53+23) (85+30) (103+62) (103+64) ( ) 64

65 THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN TURKISH HIGHER EDUCATION ( academic year) Postsecondary Vocational Schools* Undergraduate* Graduate Medical Interns TOTAL* *) Including distance education Source: ÖSYM Statistics 65

66 INCREASING OF STUDENTS IN YEARS A. Eris,

67 THE NUMBER OF ACADEMIC STAFF FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR Professor Assoc. Professor Assist. Prof Research Assistant and Other academic staff (Instructors, Experts, Translators, Education & Training Planners) TOTAL Source: ÖSYM Statistics 67

68 NUMBER OF STAFF INCREASING OF ACADEMIC STAFF IN YEARS Y E A R S A. Eris,

69 GENDER OF ACADEMIC STAFF ( Academic year) ACADEMIC STAFF NUMBER RATIO (%) FEMALE MALE TOTAL Source: ÖSYM Statistics 69

70 RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS A. Eris,

71 Considering the number of scientific publications in EU member and candidate countries, Turkey ranked 7 th among 27 countries. A. Eris,

72 NUMBER OF SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS IN ALL FIELDS 0F 27 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES (Ranking has been made according to the statistics of 2010) Countrıes** YEARS Germany England France Italy Spain Nederland Turkey Sweden Poland Belgium Denmark Austria Greece Finland Portugal Czech Rep Ireland Romania Hungary Slovenia Slovakia Bulgaria Lithuania Estonia S. Cyprus Luxemburg A. 27 Eris, Malta

73 TECHNOPARKS & INNOVATION CENTERS A. Eris,

74 In recent years, techno-parks have been added among the institutions which are established around the universities. Today, in Turkey, techno-parks have obtained special privileges and increased the critical importance of universities among the national innovation systems. Currently, 43 universities have technoparks initiatives in Turkey. A. Eris,

75 There are some supports and encouragements provided by government for incubation centers and technoparks in order to make research and development activities easier. Tax exemptions & discounts can be emphasized among these incentives primarly. To establish an innovation center in the universities, like a technopark, a consortium together with the municipality, the chamber of commerce, the governorship of the city, etc. can be formed. A. Eris,

76 To start the procedures and to get these supports, every institution/company should prepare infrastructural and organizational necessities principally and apply to the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology. Nevertheless, like marketing activities; quality control; researches on social sciences; oil, natural gas and minerals exploration and drilling activities; clinical works; regular and repeated activities; etc. are not supported. A. Eris,

77 ACTIVE TECHNOPARKS Name of the University City Established Year 1 Middleeast Technical University ANKARA Bilkent University ANKARA Izmir Institute of High Technology IZMIR Sabancı University KOCAELI Hacettepe University ANKARA Istanbul Technical University ISTANBUL Anadolu & Osmangazi University ESKISEHIR Selcuk University KONYA Kocaeli University KOCAELI Akdeniz University ANTALYA Erciyes University KAYSERI Karadeniz Technical University TRABZON Cukurova University ADANA Mersin University MERSIN Süleyman Demirel University ISPARTA Uludag University BURSA Gaziantep University GAZIANTEP Gazi University ANKARA Trakya University EDIRNE Fırat University ELAZIG Atatürk University ERZURUM Pamukkale University DENIZLI Yıldız Technical University ISTANBUL Ankara University ANKARA Istanbul University ISTANBUL Sakarya University SAKARYA Bogazici University ISTANBUL Cumhuriyet University SIVAS Dicle University DIYARBAKIR Izzet Baysal University BOLU 2009 A. Eris, Foundation Universities 77

78 TECHNOPARKS IN INFRUSTRUCTURE WORKS IN PROGRESS Name of the University City Established Year 1 Gaziosmanpasa University TOKAT TOBB University ANKARA Dumlupınar University KUTAHYA Ondokuzmayıs University SAMSUN İnönü University MALATYA İstanbul Ticaret University ISTANBUL Harran University URFA Düzce University DUZCE Mart University CANAKKALE Gebze Institute of High Technology KOCAELI Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University KAHRAMANMARAS Namık Kemal University TEKIRDAG 2011 Foundation Universities A. Eris,

79 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION... A. Eris,

80 REFERENCES Anonymous Sawyer, C Max Weber Bureaucracy. Weber, M Economy and society. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1470s. Wessner, W.C The Twenty-First Century University Innovation & the Commercialization of University Research. Knowledge Economy Forum IV, Istanbul, Turkey, March 23, Wikipedia. A. Eris,