| This dissertation, applying the methods of case study, comparative study andquantitative analysis, explores the management pattern of the boards inpublicly-funded universities of China. Promoted by the modern university system ofsocial orientation, autonomous operation and democratic governance, the boards ofpublic universities in China have undergone rapid development. The managementpattern of university boards has correspondingly improved as the system matures.The board of Huaqiao University (HQU) is explored in depth. Its role inuniversity governance and the problems of its management pattern improving themodern university system are respectively analyzed. It is discovered that despitechallenges in the process of establishing modern university system, HQU’s relativelyrobust management pattern has played a tremendous role in the social orientation,autonomous operation and democratic governance of the university. It serves as adriving force for HQU’s establishment of modern university system.The management pattern of university boards should be oriented to realize theobjective of co-governance and promote the coordination between internal andexternal stakeholders. It should keep the flexibility of governance process as well asthe transparency of governance structure. Some suggestions to improve themanagement pattern of university boards are proposed: optimize the memberstructure to encourage pluralistic participation; empower the supervision of externalstakeholders on the university through institutional design; provide board memberswith a lax and harmonious environment; strengthen the coordinating role of supremeadministrative body in mobilizing board members into university governance. Arobust university board, which also adapts to China’s intended modern universitysystem, is not only able to function beneficially in its own right, but also serve to leadthe reform of China’s educational system. |
