Desirable Features of Higher Education Policies with an Emphasis on Lifelong Learning Approach: Faculty Member's Perspective

Lifelong learning seems to be a necessity for facing knowledge explosion, new technologies and constant occupational changes. Nowadays, higher education centers are considered key sites for developing lifelong learning. This study aim to address faculty members’ perspective on some urgent revisions in higher education policies with an emphasis on lifelong learning approach..
This qualitative study was conducted in 2014 using content analysis. Sixteen faculty members were selected from University of Isfahan, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and University of Kerman who were experienced in the fields of higher education, education and learning; subjects were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Credibility and acceptability of the data were confirmed by inter-rater reliability and outside observer. The data were analyzed using content analysis..
Based on results of this study, four thematic categories were identified as basic higher education policies that need to be revised: “establishing equal and continuous learning opportunities”, “flexibility in higher education admissions”, “varied curriculum” and “learner-centeredness”.
The results of this research could be applied to revising the higher education policies while focusing on training graduates who possess lifelong learning characteristics.