The Perspectives of Academic Leaders on Positioning Higher Education for the Knowledge Economy in Oman: Challenges and Opportunities

Autor/in	Al Weshahi, Saif
Titel	The Perspectives of Academic Leaders on Positioning Higher Education for the Knowledge Economy in Oman: Challenges and Opportunities
Quelle	In: Higher Education Studies, 13 (2023) 1, S.1-15 (15 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1925-4741
Schlagwörter	Knowledge Economy; Higher Education; Case Studies; Neoliberalism; Foreign Countries; Fuels; Strategic Planning; Deans; Administrator Attitudes; Department Heads; Educational Policy; Developing Nations; Developed Nations; Leadership Styles; Educational Administration; Barriers; Educational Benefits; School Business Officials; Sustainable Development; Education Work Relationship; Private Sector; Employment; Financial Support; Scientific Research; Outcomes of Education; Labor Market; Social Change; Oman + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Knowledge society; Economy; Wissensgesellschaft; Wirtschaft; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Neo-liberalism; Neoliberalismus; Ausland; Treibstoff; Strategy; Planning; Strategie; Planung; Dean; Dekan; Politics of education; Bildungspolitik; Developing country; Developing countries; Entwicklungsland; Developed countries; Industriestaat; Industrieland; Führungsstil; Bildungsverwaltung; Schuladministration; Schulverwaltung; Bildungsertrag; Nachhaltige Entwicklung; Privater Sektor; Dienstverhältnis; Finanzielle Förderung; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg; Labour market; Arbeitsmarkt; Sozialer Wandel
Abstract	Oman Vision 2040 strives to continue shifting the country from an oil to a non-oil-based economy by emphasizing the value of diversification in HEIs. This study aims to provide in-depth insights into implementing the knowledge economy strategy in Oman's higher education system and uses a case study methodology, draws on thematic analysis, and adopts an interpretive perspective employing semi-structured interviews conducted with the dean, assistant deans, and heads of academic departments. The study manifests a common sense among the academic leaders that espousing the policy of the KE in HE is agreed upon. This approbation of KE is ascribed to the discrepancy between developed and developing countries concerning the reality of the higher education systems and the embedded influence of neoliberalism. The study identifies the four fundamental pillars of KE in HE, whereby the study could interpret the existing educational leadership style undertaken and speculate on its future directions. The research indicates three obstacles facing educational leadership; challenges of practicing leadership, lack sustainable system (within the college), and external factors (beyond the college). It also unveils two significant benefits: preparing students for employment in the private sector will reduce the burden on the government to provide careers. Second, the potential reciprocal gains that are pursued in industry and HEIs through funding research, reviewing curriculum and learning outcomes together, and offering a hands-on approach to tackle challenges confronting the national labor market. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1595 Sixteenth Ave Suite 301, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3N9 Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: hes@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/hes
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01