A Critical look at the Governance of Universities in the Face of Challenges: Passeism v/s Smart Governance with Data Sciences. Case of Lebanese Universities

The Lebanese private universities must respond to the current and future challenges within the framework of the globalization process. This requires important reforms with a high cost. This article analyzes the modes of governance of these universities, the risks involved and the management tools. A semi-structured interview survey was conducted among large private universities on current practices. It aims to dissects the different elements of governance, as well as the use of data science and key performance indicators in five sections: research, teaching, international relations, budget and financing, and finally student life and its environment. The analysis of the results shows that governance arrangements in universities are played out from two angles: there is a clear divergence between official arrangements and the real play of power. It also highlights fairly similar, if not identical, general structures, but very specific variations in the competencies of the supreme administrative councils, and the pivotal role played by the Presidents of these councils as orchestral conductors. In the second part of the survey, the analysis of the indicators reveals a dual aspect of reliability, on the one hand, but above all under-utilization, or limited utilization, on the other. These results will encourage the use of data science and artificial intelligence in decision making.