Finding the right person to lead a third generation university: a new approach in the Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

The election of a new Rector has been something of a formality in universities, where the position has been ‘first among equals’, elected among senior academics for a fixed term with relatively little real authority. The best and most progressive of universities aspiring to be ‘third generation’ (3GU) require a new approach to leadership, combining academic recognition with business acumen in an increasingly difficult economic climate. As the first and as yet only private-public not-for-profit university in the Republic of Macedonia, the South East European University (SEEU) embarked on a new procedure for appointing a Rector, based on international competition with highly developed job description, presentation of development plans (based on its stragegic planning and risk management approach) to meetings of its Senate and Board, and a rigorous and fair process of election. The paper describes how the procedure was developed and implemented, and how the Rector's new vision of ‘SEEU 2.0’ will transform the University into a 3GU.