This research addresses the legal foundation of higher education governance as one of the main pillars for achieving efficiency, transparency, and improved institutional performance, thereby ensuring quality and excellence. Governance is considered the framework that defines the methods and approaches adopted by higher education institutions in implementing their objectives and orientations, in a manner that ensures responsiveness to the needs and interests of all stakeholders, including students, faculty members, staff, alumni, and the broader community.
The study begins by outlining the conceptual framework of the term "governance" and analyzing the motivations behind its adoption in the higher education sector, particularly in light of the growing challenges this sector faces. It focuses on examining the legal basis regulating governance through an analysis of relevant national legislation, considering that adopting governance practices in institutions represents a response to constitutional obligations that require adherence to democratic principles and promote neutrality, transparency, oversight, and quality. The research also explores the role of international and regional agreements and conferences in shaping governance directions, as the recommendations they produce can serve as a foundation for formulating national policies.
The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and concludes that the success of governance in higher education is linked to the presence of a clear and integrated legal foundation that ensures a balance of powers and authorities and reinforces the principles of participation, accountability, and institutional autonomy.