Conflicts over control models lead nowhere. Instead, we must discuss the university's real challenges - and choose the management model that best tackles them. SFS has submitted its consultation response on Kåre Bremer's Management Inquiry.
Ideological positions and thoughts about the ideal management structure permeate the debate on the governance of universities, which has, among other things, taken place on SvD's debate pages. Both line organization and collegiality advocates seem to have missed how varied today's university landscape is and that management should be adapted accordingly. Therefore, SFS welcomes the review made by the inquiry, but does not take a position on any specific management model.
SFS believes that management, regardless of how it works, must be there to develop the joint business. Management is never for itself. It must have an ability to involve, anchor and achieve clarity and transparency for students and staff. Not least, the model the university chooses must take advantage of the commitment that exists in the business. The university must basically be a democratic organization, both when it comes to operations and management.
Here are three examples of important issues for students that all universities, regardless of management model, must be able to solve:
How do all teachers get the opportunity for pedagogical training and time to, together with colleagues, develop the training? We students notice that many teachers are unfamiliar with their role, that educations lack a pedagogical idea or that degree goals fall between the chairs because teachers have not agreed on the educational structure. The pedagogical leadership is underdeveloped at many universities.
How should the connection between education and research be strengthened? Research affiliation requires a reasonable balance between education and research, and that the higher education institution coordinates research and education areas. Today, there is a great imbalance, which affects both our education and our teachers' opportunities for merit.
How can the management strengthen and take advantage of the commitment to its own and the joint activities? A university cannot just be the sum of its activities. There must be common rules, priorities and directions for development that students and teachers identify with.
A management model cannot solve the university's problems on its own. However, management must be able to interact with external circumstances in order to lead the organization in the right direction. Neither the collegiate nor the line-based higher education institution has succeeded in solving this challenge.
Here you can read SFS consultation response at Ledningsutredningen.