Governing Universities in Post-Soviet Countries
From a Common Start, 1991–2021

Using former Soviet countries as a natural laboratory, this book explores the development of different university governance models.

Peter D. Eckel (Edited by)

9781009098731, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 October 2023

306 pages
25 x 17.5 x 2.2 cm, 0.69 kg

University governance is an essential but complex phenomenon, even in countries where institutional-level governance has a long and strong tradition. After the dissolution of the USSR, each of the 15 former Soviet countries developed their own university governance system and this groundbreaking book explores how these countries evolved from the 'common start' of a unified and tightly controlled higher education system, to shaping their own paths in higher education. Each chapter explores a different country, allowing university governance models to be compared and contrasted. The countries provide examples of a variety of different governance models – state-extended, academic focused, internal/external and civic – and the book highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each relative to their context. It also presents innovative frameworks to understand governance effectiveness in terms of autonomy, competition, and capacity. It is essential reading for researchers, students, and policy makers. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.

Introduction
Part I. Framing the Context: 1. Governing universities in post-Soviet States Peter D. Eckel
2. Understanding ground zero: the Soviet context and legacy as the starting point for reform Zumrad Kataeva
Part II. Country University Governance Profiles: 3. Armenia Peter D. Eckel
4. Azerbaijan Merey Mussabayeva and Serik Ivatov
5. Belarus Peter D. Eckel
6. Estonia Rita Kaša
7. Georgia Leah Shapiro
8. Kazakhstan Peter D. Eckel and Darkhan Bilyalov
9. Kyrgyzstan Zumrad Kataeva and Ali Ait Si Mhamed
10. Latvia Rita Kaša
11. Lithuania Rita Kaša and Ali Ait Si Mhamed
12. Moldova Peter D. Eckel
13. Russia Zumrad Kataeva
14. Tajikistan Zumrad Kataeva
15. Turkmenistan Serik Ivatov and Darkhan Bilyalov
16. Ukraine Ali Ait Si Mhamed and Serik Ivatov
17. Uzbekistan Ali Ait Si Mhamed and Serik Ivatov
Part III. Comparisons and Analyses: 18. Variety and variation among post-Soviet university governing structures: toward four models Peter D. Eckel and Darkhan Bilyalov
19. Governing appropriately: autonomy and bureaucratic capacity Peter D. Eckel
20. Governing in the context of competition and autonomy Peter D. Eckel and Ali Ait Si Mhamed
Conclusion
21. Addressing the dilemmas of governance in the post-Soviet context Peter D. Eckel
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Educational strategies & policy [JNF]