Educational Needs Assessment Of Mashad University Of Medical Sciences’ Managers In Management And Leadership

Background: The first step in human resource development is educational need assessment. A sound knowledge of managerial roles and skills is vital for a successful management in the educational system.Purpose: To determine the educational needs of managers and directors of Mashad Medical University in filed of educational management and leadership.Method: A survey of a 40-person sample of the university managers including deans and vice deans for education of the faculties and the heads of educational groups the data were analyzed with SPSS.Results: The mean age of the sample was 47.2(±7.5) and the mean duration of serving in managerial positions were 5.4(±3.6).The most needed items to be taught were identified as strategic planning in management, setting educational goals, deciding whether the ability to be a manager is inborn or must be acquired, main problems in educational planning and surveillance techniques, educational guidance, system analysis and educational evaluation.Characteristics of educational advisors were also of great importance.Conclusion: Our study showed that educational managers were aware of their need for further development of a sound basis of managerial knowledge.Key words: Need assessment, educational needs, educational managers.