Student Participative Role in HE Governance

During the past years the shift in higher education towards student centered learning has taken place and several achievements in this direction can be noticed in different systems. The shift that places the learner at the center of the learning process could not happen without a change in the mindsets and in the relationships existing within the higher education in general and in the higher education institution in particular. Learners have to become active participants in the learning process but also in its management. Students’ role in the assessment, and decision making processes and procedures will need to be well identified and understood.

The Erasmus+ HEREs have been very active in studying different facets of the Lebanese Higher Education Reform and in suggesting reforms and improvements through several activities, meetings, seminars and workshops. So far, the issue of students’ roles in the governance has not been covered as it should be. Actually, the role of the students has been considered within the different aspects related to quality assurance, student services, qualifications, civic engagement etc. However, students’ involvement in University governance was not tackled so far probably because of the issue of students’ representation in the institutions and the system, which is critical for social and political reasons. This is the first roundtable to be organized in order to study the role of the students in the learning process, assessment and governance. The roundtable aims first at determining the actual role of the students and to define how this role should be modified to better serve the learning process.

Students’ role in assessment

In most of the higher education institutions the feedback of the students is being collected in different ways and for several purposes. It is important to understand how efficient this assessment is and if all stakeholders understand the crucial role they play in assessment. What is needed to improve the assessment process?

Students’ role in governance

In most universities, students are members in different committees. It is worth understanding on what basis are these students chosen (criteria for choosing) to be in those committees and how they manage to play their role. It is also of importance to evaluate the impact of the participation of the students in those committees and whether their feedback is taken into consideration and how this can be improved.

Structure of the students’ body

The roundtable shall also try to identify the structure of the students’ body within their respective institutions and how do they manage to channel information to the rest of the students’ body (communication plan) and to forward the students’ inquiries, concerns and feedback to the governance  or to draw the students’ position on different issues (participative plan).

The workshop will provide an opportunity to consider the previous points looking at where we are now, agreeing some principles that might guide our work moving forward and agreeing the next steps to take forward a strategic approach to developing the role of students.  A European expert will give a keynote outlining developments in this area internationally then facilitate three key discussions with the academic staff and students taking part as outlined below.  We will aim to conclude with an agreed action plan on what is needed to empower the students’ role for a better learning process.