Are new fields of study indicative of innovative character of higher education institutions? Cover Image

Czy nowe kierunki studiów są dowodem na innowacyjność szkół wyższych?
Are new fields of study indicative of innovative character of higher education institutions?

Author(s): Marek Rocki
Subject(s): Higher Education , State/Government and Education, Sociology of Education
Published by: Szkoła Główna Handlowa w Warszawie, Fundacja Promocji i Akredytacji Kierunków Ekonomicznych
Keywords: field of study; innovativeness; cost effectiveness of studies;

Summary/Abstract: In this article, we verify the hypothesis that the creation of new fields of studies at the institutions of higher education is caused by factors other than thorough analysis of the needs demonstrated by employers at the job market. The author analyzes the rules of creating new degrees and the goals of their creation presented by colleges, pointing out in particular to the consequences it bears for financing the institutions of higher education. We demonstrate, through examples, the creativity of colleges and universities in harnessing the legal changes introduced by the new bill, The Law on Higher Education. That transpires, particularly, in exploiting the opportunities created by erasure of the list of degrees, which used to be made by the minister and ceding the authority in this area to the universities. The analysis shows that the creation of new areas of study not necessarily leads to a meritorious improvement (modernization) of the course of studies. That is particularly visible in declared educational outcomes.

  • Issue Year: 75/2018
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 14-21
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Polish