Education Leaders in Supporting Learning Culture in Higher Education Institutes: Strategies and Issues

Abstract

Leadership plays a vital role in determining and nurturing collaborative learning cultures in organizations. This research aimed to examine the educational leadership role in creating a collaborative learning culture for faculty in higher education institutes. The research was based on the assumption that leaders provide their staff with a learning culture—an environment that demonstrates and encourages work-place learning and where both gaining and sharing professional knowledge are prioritized and valued. The specific motive for this study was to explore; how higher education leaders perceive their role as instructional leadership to develop learning culture for development of their faculty? What practices do they adopt for developing learning culture within their department?

Data was collected by semi-structured interviews with six Heads/Deans of Department of Education of different private universities located in Karachi. Thematic analysis was used to conceptualize and analyze the qualitative data. The study concludes that fostering a positive learning environment and promoting faculty development in higher education require a comprehensive strategy that can incorporate a variety of leadership philosophies and acknowledge faculty accomplishments.