A comparative study of autonomous university governance models and implications for Vietnam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22633/rpge.v30iesp1.20918Keywords:
University autonomy, University governance, Comparative analysis, Higher education reform, AccountabilityAbstract
This study examines university autonomy through a comparative analysis of governance models in Finland and Sweden (Nordic model), the University of California in the United States (Anglo-American model), and Thailand (Southeast Asian model). Using a qualitative comparative approach, it analyzes governance structures, levels of autonomy, and accountability mechanisms across different higher education systems. The findings show that university autonomy is context-specific, shaped by political traditions, institutional cultures, and regulatory frameworks. The Nordic model emphasizes regulated autonomy under strong public oversight, while the Anglo-American model highlights institutional independence and market-oriented governance. The Southeast Asian model reflects managerial reforms within a developing context. Based on these insights, the study proposes implications for Vietnam, emphasizing that effective autonomy requires not only legal decentralization but also coherent governance structures, leadership capacity, and accountability systems. University autonomy should be viewed as a systemic reform balancing institutional flexibility with public responsibility and social equity.
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