From ivory tower to fishbowl: Towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in South Africa
Corruption and maladministration at public universities in South Africa have severely eroded public trust, posing a threat to the very foundations of these institutions. This paper addresses the issue on restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy while universities regain their credibilit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Institute of Industry and Academic Research Incorporated
2024-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Academe and Industry Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://iiari.org/journal_article/from-ivory-tower-to-fishbowl-towards-restoring-academic-freedom-and-institutional-autonomy-in-public-higher-education-in-south-africa/ |
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| author | Flip Schutte Emetia Swart |
| author_facet | Flip Schutte Emetia Swart |
| author_sort | Flip Schutte |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Corruption and maladministration at public universities in South Africa have severely eroded public trust, posing a threat to the very foundations of these institutions. This paper addresses the issue on restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy while universities regain their credibility and status within the community. Using qualitative methodology, a secondary thematic analysis of literature and interview was followed. Five prominent leaders at public higher education institutions were interviewed. The findings shed light on strategies for institutions to adopt to rebuild stakeholder confidence. The data indicated that institutions of higher learning could rebuild trust by increasing transparency and accountability to the public and engaging with their surrounding communities through various community engagement activities. By prioritising transparency, fostering accountability, and actively engaging with their communities, public institutions of higher learning can reclaim their status as revered institutions and ensure their vital contributions to society are duly recognised and valued. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-856467c44cf84c0b86b0130300f328c9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2719-0617 2719-0625 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Institute of Industry and Academic Research Incorporated |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Academe and Industry Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-856467c44cf84c0b86b0130300f328c92025-01-28T17:08:24ZengInstitute of Industry and Academic Research IncorporatedInternational Journal of Academe and Industry Research2719-06172719-06252024-12-015412414710.53378/ijair.353122From ivory tower to fishbowl: Towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in South AfricaFlip Schutte0Emetia Swart1Stadio Higher Education, South AfricaRegenesys Business School, South AfricaCorruption and maladministration at public universities in South Africa have severely eroded public trust, posing a threat to the very foundations of these institutions. This paper addresses the issue on restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy while universities regain their credibility and status within the community. Using qualitative methodology, a secondary thematic analysis of literature and interview was followed. Five prominent leaders at public higher education institutions were interviewed. The findings shed light on strategies for institutions to adopt to rebuild stakeholder confidence. The data indicated that institutions of higher learning could rebuild trust by increasing transparency and accountability to the public and engaging with their surrounding communities through various community engagement activities. By prioritising transparency, fostering accountability, and actively engaging with their communities, public institutions of higher learning can reclaim their status as revered institutions and ensure their vital contributions to society are duly recognised and valued.https://iiari.org/journal_article/from-ivory-tower-to-fishbowl-towards-restoring-academic-freedom-and-institutional-autonomy-in-public-higher-education-in-south-africa/academic freedominstitutional autonomycommunity engagementcredibilityuniversities’ reason for existence |
| spellingShingle | Flip Schutte Emetia Swart From ivory tower to fishbowl: Towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in South Africa International Journal of Academe and Industry Research academic freedom institutional autonomy community engagement credibility universities’ reason for existence |
| title | From ivory tower to fishbowl: Towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in South Africa |
| title_full | From ivory tower to fishbowl: Towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | From ivory tower to fishbowl: Towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | From ivory tower to fishbowl: Towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in South Africa |
| title_short | From ivory tower to fishbowl: Towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in South Africa |
| title_sort | from ivory tower to fishbowl towards restoring academic freedom and institutional autonomy in public higher education in south africa |
| topic | academic freedom institutional autonomy community engagement credibility universities’ reason for existence |
| url | https://iiari.org/journal_article/from-ivory-tower-to-fishbowl-towards-restoring-academic-freedom-and-institutional-autonomy-in-public-higher-education-in-south-africa/ |
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