Development of an optimal model of criteria for selecting the presidents of the universities in Iran

Objective: The selection of the presidents of the universities, considering the role of the university in today's knowledge-based world, becomes more complex every year. It is therefore expected that a careful and informed process be used when appointing or selecting such a manager. Considering the importance of selecting university presidents based on appropriate criteria, the present study was conducted with the aim of developing a favorable model of criteria for selecting university presidents for employment in Iranian universities. Materials: The research method was applied in terms of purpose and consecutive exploratory combination in terms of approach. The statistical population (research field) in the qualitative part of the study included management regulations of universities in the world and in the quantitative part included faculty members with a history of managing or teaching management courses. The statistical sample of the qualitative section included university management regulations in sixteen countries and in the quantitative section 20 higher education experts. The validity of the study was confirmed using content validity and its reliability was confirmed by the peer group method. Quantitative part reliability was also obtained using an incompatibility rate of less than 0.1. Qualitative data were analyzed using grounded theory method and quantitative data were analyzed using hierarchical analysis using expert choice software. Results and Discussion:  The findings showed that out of 16 documents, 78 open codes were extracted which were classified, in the next step, in six criteria of managerial characteristics, decentralized selection, structure, general characteristics, personality traits and characteristics. Finally, these items were classified scientifically under two general organizational and individual criteria. The results of hierarchical analysis showed that the average combined weight of the criteria is as follows: academic management history criterion 0.047, scientific management 0.046, scientific foresight 0.039, scientific attitude 0.038, professional competence 0.037, appropriateness field with management of 0.036, communication management, change management and management history in other organizations 0.031, student affairs 0.026, planning 0.023, decision making 0.022, scientific capability and strategic thinking 0.021, participation in student affairs, interactive and participatory choice, authority and academic competence 0.020. Comprehensive model of this research could be used by the officials of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology to select university presidents in the country. Therefore, according to the obtained results, it is suggested that the aforementioned criteria to be followed in selecting universities presidents. It is also recommended that a committee consisting experts of higher education system select the presidents.