Sustainability of Higher Education in Emergencies: The Case of Turkey

Authors : Burcu Erdemir

Pages : 751-769

Doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1344652

View : 142 | Download : 124

Publication Date : 2023-10-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects on higher education systems and necessitated policymakers to take immediate measures. While this period is an opportunity to correct imperfections in higher education systems, it is also a challenge in terms of planning new policies that necessitate digitalized equipment and personnel support that increased due to the pandemic. The study aims to examine which factors of higher education learning communities can help sustain higher education institutions during and beyond emergencies. Based on a qualitative study presenting views of Turkish faculty, major findings reflect the key components of higher education learning communities. These were spotted as; ‘democratic and collaborative environments that target equitable student access to education, student success, as well as faculty professional development and well-being of faculty and students and examined through the lenses of critical pedagogy and transformational theory. Apart from the suggestions of the participants for sustainability, the author also presented some immediate-to-long-term policy suggestions for higher education decision-makers that prioritize equity, accountability, and quality, and the main principles of learning communities as collaboration and democracy, all of which are also important concepts for further development of society.
Keywords : COVID 19 pandemisi, olağanüstü durumlar, yükseköğretim öğrenme toplulukları, sürdürülebilirlik

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