A policy framework for the challenges of implementing regional higher education management in Iran

The models of regional governance in the world, particularly for administration of higher education are considered vital. In Iran, with the approval of Iran's Higher Education System Spatial Management Document, the issue of regional management in higher education was given special attention. Articles 1 and 2 of the document specifically address the regional higher education structure of the country. According to the document, the country's higher education system is devided into 10 regions. The purpose of the present study was to present a policy framework for the challenges of implementing regional management according to the areas envisaged in the country's higher education territorial document. In this research, based on the research strategy, a case study was conducted using quantitative methods such as exploratory factor analysis of the policy model. In the initial theoretical model presentation section, 6 interviews were conducted and 26 questionnaires were completed. Twenty interviews were conducted during the theoretical modeling scrutinization phase. A policy model for challenges of implementation of higher education regional governance structure in 13 challenges and 3 dimensions of overall challenges of regional governance environment, challenges of organizing regional governance and political structure challenges is presented.