Challenges and Information/Training Requirements for Managing and Governing Universities within the Framework of the EHEA

The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) requires changes in the way universities are managed. It is an opportunity for correcting imbalances whilst at the same time being a challenge that can mark important differences between universities. This study seeks to identify the challenges and information/training requirements of Spanish university management teams in order to facilitate their integration in the EHEA. Methodology: The Delphi study with the participation of 115 chancellors, vice-chancellors, deans and heads of service of Spanish Universities (EUE) and 26 managers of non-Spanish Universities included in European university quality and management agencies (ENE). For preparing the Delphi study questionnaire, two groups were formed using qualitative research techniques: a first discussion group with the participation of 12 Spanish university managers and a second group in which the Nominal Group technique was applied, with the participation of 18 non-Spanish university managers. Results: The most important challenges are improvement in the quality of education and redefinition of each university’s strategy. The EUE group considers it necessary to increase coordination between subjects in order to offer a comprehensive education and Mira Solves, J. J., Galan Vallejo, M., Van Kemenade, E., Marzo Campos, J. C., Gilabert Mora, M., Blaya Salvador, I. y Perez Jover, M. V. RETOS PARA EL GOBIERNO DE LAS UNIVERSIDADES EN EL MARCO DEL EEES Revista de Educacion, 357. Enero-abril 2012, pp. 445-465 Fecha de entrada: 04-06-2009 Fecha de aceptacion: 14-10-2009 447 promote the renovation of teaching methodologies. The ENE group gives priority to the need for professionalizing university management. The information/training requirements of university managers are: quality management, strategic management and change leadership. Conclusions: There is a notable effort to identify how EHEA integration affects the different disciplines but it is less frequent to address the structural changes needed in universities to be able to successfully accomplish this integration. These include improving the quality of teaching and management, for which managers must have the capacity for innovation and change leadership.