Design and development of a governance model for a virtual university in the higher education system of health sciences
Volume 1 Article ID:e0111
Volume 1 Article ID:e0111
This article examines the development of a conceptual framework for virtual universities within higher health education. The research aims to identify key components of an effective virtual university, analyze existing models, and develop a comprehensive framework.
The study was conducted in stages. A systematic review using BEHEMOTH methodology identified 13 existing virtual university models and extracted themes. Qualitative interviews with 7 experts identified additional topics.
The results from the systematic review and interviews were then synthesized to identify the basic elements and their relationships in a virtual university governance model. Key themes reflecting major aspects of virtual universities were organized.
Finally, a framework consisting of 5 main subsystems was proposed: strategic planning, educational pedagogy, intelligent technologies, central support services, and contextual factors. Implementing this framework is expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness and reach of virtual universities by adopting a more interactive approach. It provides guidance to develop virtual offerings and remain relevant in the digital age.
