Exploring the institutional and organizational factors affecting capacity development of the public Universities in Iran

scholars believe that any kind of development involves the development of capacity. Capacity development is a targeted approach and a professional treasure in order to stimulate, guide, strengthen, release and shape capacity beyond the existing capacity. Because, this approach is among the main objectives of social and economic development of the country during the Sixth Plan, The main objective of this study was to explore factors affecting the development of the institutional and organizational capacity of public universities using a qualitative study. In order to collect data semi-structured interviews were used. The study sample consisted of professors, administrators and experts in the areas of staff development, academic capacity of public universities affiliated to Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Tehran. According to data saturation level, 13 of them were chosen for interview. The validity of the findings were guaranteed using survey methods by members. After reviewing the literature and organizing interviews, the researcher, first, identify codes and then put the same code in the certain class. Then, for each of the classes one topic that represent the code was selected. The results represent twelve main themes in the university capacity development which includes: Land planning, decision-making, regulation, government considerations, engagement with stakeholders, underlying infrastructure, management and academic leadership, communication development, the process of absorption, professional empowerment, autonomy and academic freedom, credits and budget.