The Universities Participation Status in Revising the Curricula Approved by the Higher Council for Planning

Curricula are the main and important components of the higher education quality progression. In addition, alumni's attitudes, knowledge and skills should be based on latest scientific, technological outcomes and the market needs. Therefore, the revision of the educational programs and updating them have always been emphasized. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of university programs during the Third Economic, Social, Cultural, and Political Development Plan (1998 – 2002). Using qualitative method, a sample of 31 universities were selected. Then, a series of researcher-made checklists and semi-structured interviews were administered. The data were analyzed using various descriptive statistics. Results indicated that: 1. The revision rate of the curricula across the universities having a audit board is higher, 2. The highest and least rates of the curricula cessions belong to the humanities and arts groups respectively, 3. The highest and least rates of the curricula revision belong to the undergraduate and doctoral levels respectively, 4. The highest rate of the curricula cession belongs to the universities located in Tehran (particularly, University of Tehran), and 5. The lai of appropriate infrastructures, the shortage of competent and professional specialists within the curricula framework, the lack of the commitment to the scientific principles in various stages of the curricula, the shortage of financial sources, the lack of models or practical guidelines for the academic curricula, the lack of a monitoring and evaluation process, a narrow interpretation of the curricula, the resistance of a group of faculty members against any changes in the curricula, the lack of adjustment of the spirit of the cession powers with the centralized examinations of the postgraduate level and the lack of faculty member's motivation to participate, are among the universities problems for the academic curriculum revision and development process.