Introduction to Role of Leaders in Managing Higher Education

Abstract

Academic institutions are undergoing drastic changes in recent years due to dwindling funds, low enrollment numbers, and fierce domestic and international competition, along with a two-year closure of university premises due to the pandemic. Quality assurance of academic institution has also come under scrutiny with mounting criticism for its failure to adapt to current social and economic requirements. Incoherent and ad hoc reform system and hurried strategic vision have been blamed on the role of the leaders and their lack of engagement with the stakeholders. Students have been repeatedly asking for the necessity to focus on academic teaching along with learning activities, active participative strategies with a focus toward increasing acquired competence and capabilities that will enable their marketability, post-completion of their education. This book volume stresses the role of leaders in educational institutions. The collection of work by various authors talks about the autonomy of faculty members based on bonds created on ethics. The style of leadership and the concept of democracy and social justice also play a role in leadership. Authors have emphasized that higher educational institutions need to look beyond regular extrinsic motivators to ensure employee engagement to mentor students effectively as well as explore the concept of the glass ceiling and regressive cultures that poses impediments to women as leaders in universities and other educational institutions.

Citation

Sengupta, E. and Blessinger, P. (2022), "Introduction to Role of Leaders in Managing Higher Education", Sengupta, E. and Blessinger, P. (Ed.) Role of Leaders in Managing Higher Education (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 48), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 3-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120220000048001