عنوان

Academic freedom, university autonomy and admission policy in the Jordanian public universities

Number

TLets391701

Title Proper

Academic freedom, university autonomy and admission policy in the Jordanian public universities

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Al-Zyoud, Mohammad Saye

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Nottingham

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2001

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of Nottingham

Text preceding or following the note

2001

Text of Note

This study examines the extent of academic freedom for academics and students, university autonomy and equality of admission in the Jordanian public universities. It examines academic freedom in terms of freedom to express views and ideas, freedom to select course content, freedom to select research subjects, freedom to participate in social and political activities, freedom to participate in decision making and freedom to be promoted from one academic rank to another. Also, it considers university autonomy in terms of admission of students, appointment of academics, establishing new programmes of study and research, administration of students' affairs and university autonomy from the pressure of society. Finally, it examines the admission policy in terms of the equality of the admission criteria; these are the Tawjihi scores and the quota components. The main subjects of the study comprised a sample of higher education academics, policy makers and postgraduate students from the six public universities. The study employed qualitative and quantitative research methods; questionnaires were used to obtain the views of the postgraduate students regarding academic freedom for students and equality of admission policy. Interviews were used to obtain academics and policy makers' views regarding academic freedom, university autonomy and equality of the admission policy. There was also analysis of related documentary material. From this study, it appears that academic freedom for academics and students is controlled and limited by social, security and legal constraints. These limitations affect freedom of expression, freedom of publishing, freedom to select course content, freedom to select research subjects, freedom to participate in social and political activities, freedom to participate in decision making and freedom to be promoted from one academic rank to another. Also, university autonomy is restricted by social and governmental regulations and security restrictions, while university autonomy to admit students is restricted by the HEC (Higher Education Council) criteria of admission. Furthermore, the admission policy is flawed by the inequality of the criteria which have not achieved equality among students. In the light of the findings of this study, recommendations have been made for the development of academic freedom for academics and students, university autonomy and equality of the admission policy and an indication given of possible future research studies.

LB2300 Higher education

Al-Zyoud, Mohammad Saye

University of Nottingham

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y