The administrative strategies and tactics for diversification of funding sources in research and higher education institutes with emphasis on non-public sources

In this study, after recognizing the current situation of financial resources of universities and reviewing the literature, the major new financial resources in Iranian universities were extracted by collecting the experts and administrators’ opinions. In addition, the effectiveness of administrative strategies for the diversification of higher education resources was analyzed. This study was an applied and descriptive-survey research. The statistical population included universities, research institutes, and science and technology parks affiliated with Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. The study sample was comprised of 30 universities, 7 research institutes, and 7 science and technology parks. A total of 142 questionnaires were completed by respondents. Cronbachchr('39')s alpha was used to measure the reliability of the questionnaire (α =. /848). Questionnaire items were assigned to the proposed tactics, and according to their nature were classified into three subscales: research, teaching and administrative-financial. The results showed that among the administrative and financial strategies, the efficient use of legal capacity in budget notes, expansion, and diversification of charitable activities and development of educational charitable organizations are the most effective strategies for diversifying sources of income for universities, research institutes, and science and technology parks. Furthermore, due to  the existing capacities such as faculty members, the number of graduate students, assigned missions, physical facilities, being in a specific geographical location, and allocated budget, the experts consider using financial resources tactics  based on industry-based academic research projects in order to provide superior services and strengthen the knowledge-based economy and achieve the goals of "leap in production" in the country,  more effective than other strategies in the field of research and technology.