The academic environment at universities stands as the cornerstone of social development and progress. A recent study investigating the Requirements for Academic Space Development (RASD) highlights the pressing need for enhancements within this educational framework. Conducted across various Iranian universities, the research aims to identify and validate the components necessary for creating conducive academic spaces.
During the research conducted between 2022 and 2023, experts representing diverse fields participated to manifest the first step toward developing the RASD questionnaire. Initially, 20 experts were engaged through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. Following qualitative data collection, the study extended to quantify these findings by surveying 265 faculty members across two prominent institutions: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) and Shiraz University.
Utilizing the qualitative insights, researchers employed content and thematic analysis to draw out significant patterns and components related to academic space development. The resulting framework extracted 67 codes categorized under four core components—formal, cultural, scientific, and political. This conceptual groundwork laid the foundation for the quantitative validation process.
Data analysis revealed impressive validity for the RASD questionnaire, with content validity index (CVI) scores of 0.941, signifying high relevance and clarity among expert assessments. A confidence interval reinforced its credibility with CVR scores reaching 0.940. Reliability benchmarks confirmed the instrument's robustness, achieving an overall reliability coefficient of 0.962—indicative of exceptional internal consistency.
Through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the study underscored the significance of various components contributing to the university's scientific environment. Of the identified factors, “Happiness” emerged as the most salient with the highest factor loading, demonstrating the integral role of emotional well-being within the academic community. Other notable components emphasizing unity, intellectual engagement, and cultural improvement complemented the importance of building effective educational atmospheres.
The study’s findings resonate beyond quantitative validation, positing the notion of re-architecture within universities—a framework envisaging systemic changes integrating science, cultural awareness, and infrastructural improvement. The term ‘Re-architecture’ emerged, encapsulating this multifaceted approach toward academic development.
Experts assertively noted, “Perhaps the choice of this term is appropriate because we also need changes in universities, by combining science, re-engineering, cultural consideration, and artistic integration of all factors influencing academic development.” This statement reflects the rising discourse around making universities not only centers of education but dynamic, responsive entities aligned with community needs.
Reflecting on the findings, researchers emphasized the cultural underpinnings necessary for fostering meaningful relationships between universities and their surrounding communities, articulatory the challenges posed by increasing specialization and fragmentation within academia. “Universities need to develop cultural symbols, as culture, being fundamental to balanced growth, impacts other infrastructures,” serves as a clarion call for educational leaders to reimagine and innovate institutional practices.
Conclusively, this research seeks to inform university administrators on effectively implementing strategies derived from the RASD framework to achieve enhanced academic spaces, improving not only educational outcomes but also returning institutions to their engagement with societal evolution.
The comprehensive study marks a pivotal moment for higher education institutions, pushing for significant reforms aligned with community aspirations. The developed RASD questionnaire stands as both a practical tool and guiding research resource for future studies, aiming to decipher the comprehensive needs of academic environments.