Exploratory Factor Analysis of Required Professional Faculty Skills for Job Success from Iran's Colleges of Agriculture Faculty Members Perspectives

Technical skill of agricultural faculty members is essential in providing change in the agricultural sector. The objective of this research was to identify and analyze skill requirements of faculty members of agricultural colleges of Iran. The questionnaire was administered to 404 agricultural faculty members selected on the basis of proportional stratified random sampling method. Results of exploratory factor analysis revealed that information technology, communication, mastery, use of strategies and status explained 70.66 percent of total variance of the professional skills. Furthermore, statistically significant differences among assistant, associate, full professors and their places of studies were found. Finally, the researchers discussed policies that could raise the technical skills of faculty.