Providing a Model for Improving the Performance of Technical and Vocational Universities Based on Educational Needs Until 2030 in Iran

The aim of the present study was the design of a model for improving the performance of technical and vocational universities based on educational needs until 2030 in Iran. The research involved a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the qualitative section, 22 interviews were conducted with academic experts and specialists in technical and vocational universities using targeted sampling. The interview protocols were approved both in terms of content validity and reliability based on the agreement between the two coders. In the qualitative part, the collected data was analyzed with the Grounded theory approach and the three stages of coding (open, central and selective) common in this approach, providing the present research with initial model to enter into the quantitative phase. Quantitative data was collected using researcher-made questionnaire from all the employees of technical and professional universities in the city of Tehran in the academic year 2018-2019. Questionnaire constructs had good validity (convergent and divergent) and reliability (based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient and composite reliability). Data in this phase was analyzed based on their frequency and dispersion measures using Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach to structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of the present study revealed that improving the performance of technical and professional universities based on educational needs included the components of teaching skills, teaching management, evaluation skills, research skills, communication and personal development, information technology and management, general teaching skills and specialized teaching skills. The pattern fit indicators in factor analysis confirmed the pattern fit.