Private universities as a working place through the eyes of academics

Abstract

This qualitative study, which is based on interviews, describes the effects of globalization on academic profession in private universities in Turkey. The issues of academic freedom, university-private sector partnership, massification and the very impacts of them on academic profession are evaluated via semi-structured interviews. Initially, this thesis draws the picture of the rise of private higher education in the world and in the developing countries by focusing on the relation between globalization and universities. In the second place, academics that are the cogwheel of universities are discussed in relation to the changes they experience in their working place. Then, the attitudes of academics towards these changes in private higher education system are categorized under two main sides. The first side of the changes experienced by academics working in private universities is positive. Thus, in relation to their comments on the questions, their perception about working in a private university is evaluated. The second side of the changes that they undergo is adverse. Hence, the challenges working in a private university are discussed. As mentioned before, the data was collected with interviews. Research participants are the academics working in private universities in Istanbul. Based on the findings it is possible to conclude that as a result of massification, private higher education is in increase around the world, both in developed and developing countries. Its effects are felt in different ways by academics in private universities. Mainly, academics have difficulty in dealing with the student profile in private universities and they harshly criticize certain private universities, which are lack of high quality education. They conclude that private universities which are opened only to make money out of education is stigmatizing the private universities which are there to enhance the quality of higher education. Moreover, academics conclude that academic freedom and research opportunities are two main advantages of working in a private university. Private sector-university partnership-even though criticized because of its certain drawbacks, it is supported strongly as it is seen a means of creating your own resources within the university.