Comparative Representation of the Vision and Policies of Higher Education Institutions in Seven Countries

The purpose of this study is to analyze the vision and policies of higher education institutions in seven countries. As a qualitative research, this study uses George Brady’s comparative study method. As the study sample, seven countries have been selected purposefully and according to the experts of this field, considering the geographical dispersion and the differences in the higher education system: America, Iran, Germany, England, Russia, Japan and China. To collect the required data, notes were taken from international documents and reports, articles and all available documents. The stages of this research are dual: Description and interpretation, juxtaposition and comparison. The results showed that strong currents such as internationalization, quality assurance, industry linkages, increasing university autonomy, and changes in traditional ways of governing academia are not merely limited to developed countries. These predominant currents are also evident in Eastern systems, such as China and Japan, and in countries in transition, such as Iran and Russia. Some differences were also found as a consequence of the countries’ historical and cultural context, as well as their scientific and technological development phase and stage