National Quality Assurance Frameworks and Autonomy of Higher Education Institutions in UAE: Balancing Regulation and Innovation

Abstract

The relationship between the National Quality Assurance Frameworks (NQAF) and autonomy of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UAE is investigated in the study and their impact on the innovation of the institution is discussed. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was applied to gather data on 537 academic and administrative leaders in both the public and private universities in the UAE using a structured questionnaire. The researchers quantified four main constructs, including NQAF effectiveness, institutional autonomous, strategic leadership and innovation capacity. Descriptive statistics showed that NQAF is perceived to be as moderately effective (Mean = 3.62) and the institutional autonomy is limited (Mean = 2.95), whereas the strategic leadership and the innovation capacity are evaluated positively (Mean = 3.48 and 3.27, respectively). The correlation analysis demonstrated that there was a strong positive relationship between the aspects of autonomy and innovation (r = 0.525) and moderate association between aspects of leadership and innovation (r = 0.448) although the relationship between NQAF and innovation was weak (r = 0.098). The findings of multiple regression affirmed that institutional autonomy is the most predictive factor of innovation and strategic leadership has a significant moderating effect in the predictive relationship. NQAF offers an indirect but supportive role in the promotion of innovation. These results suggest that regulation should be complemented with autonomy, but also that it is of paramount importance to integrate visionary leadership so that the freedom of institutions could be turned into innovative results. Policy implications imply that UAE HEIs can be prepared to become more innovative, in terms of differentiated autonomy, quality assurance through outcome-based and leadership development programs.