Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Medical Education, Education Development Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 Departments of Medical Education, School of Medical Education and Learning Technologies Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Community-Based Education of Health Sciences, School of Medical Education and Learning Technologies, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Medical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Universities play a significant and determining role in many aspects of the contemporary world and must move closer to their proper position by assigning missions correctly. This study was conducted to present examples of mission differentiation in medical universities.
Methods: This descriptive phenomenology study was conducted with 10 experts with experience in academic differentiation. Participants in this study were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews (30 to 70 minutes). The Colaizzi method was used for data analysis. Methods for determining the accuracy and validity of the findings included consideration of credibility, confirmability, and transferability.
Findings: The differentiation of the mission of universities of medical sciences was obtained in 5 dimensions including academic education, service provision, research, knowledge management, and social service.
Conclusion: Operationalizing differentiation in the academic functional domain of universities of medical sciences is important because it improves quality across all areas of higher education and, consequently, enhances the ranking of Iranian universities in international rankings. There is no general or magical formula for building a world-class university. National contexts and institutional models differ significantly. Therefore, each country must select a strategy from various paths based on its strengths and resources.
Keywords
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