This book presents the state-specific dimensions of the governance of higher education in Bihar, India, based on a real-case perspective. It discusses the policies of the center and state governments, and their implications on the state's higher education system. It addresses the issues and challenges faced by the higher education sector from the point of view of multiple stakeholders at center, state, university and college levels, while examining influential power centers. The volume focuses on select universities in the state and looks at how they manage policies, schemes and regulations. It deals with key themes such as the role of state and regulatory bodies such as the University Grants Commission; the balance of power; resource scarcity; the inadequacy of top-down governance models; governance failure; and the autonomy of universities. It explores the conflict between the politics and economics of governance and efficiency; the promotion and recruitment of senior office-bearers and teachers; the privatization of colleges; and financing, admission and examination systems. Through an in-depth study using empirical unit-level data from the All-India Survey of Higher Education, examples and theoretical frameworks, the book analyzes the reasons for the underperformance of the governance system of higher education in Bihar. It also offers suggestions and policy recommendations to help improve its planning and management via participative and responsible governance and informed institutional leadership. This book will be of interest to students, teachers and researchers of education, higher education, economics, governance and public administration, and development studies. It will also be useful to educationists and experts, education administrators, policymakers, bureaucrats and the governing bodies of higher education institutions.

This volume focuses on the need to establish good leadership in academic settings and higher education institutions in India. It provides an understanding of the higher education system, knowledge, skills, and experience required for better leadership and management of academic institutions. The book highlights the importance of practising data-driven decision making for leaders of dynamic organizations within a complex social, political, and economic environment. It explores how a systematic leadership programme needs to be developed to ensure academic leadership effectiveness. While discussing federal and state systems of higher education, policies and regulations, key leadership strategies for improved institutional performance and better institutional governance, the volume outlines how effective academic leadership helps in building teams, nurturing staff, strengthening alliances, developing research capacity and strategic planning, and renewing academic programmes. This volume will be of interest to teachers, students, and researchers of education, higher education, management education, and political economy. It will also be useful for academicians, policy makers, management leaders, and academic leaders.

Higher Education is in a state of ferment. People are seriously discussing whether the medieval ideal of the university as being excellent in all areas makes sense today, given the number of universities that we have in the world. Student fees are changing the orientation of students to the system. The high rate of non repayment of fees in the UK is provoking difficult questions about whether the current system of funding makes sense. There are disputes about the ratio of research to teaching, and further discussions about the international delivery of courses.

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