Governance Structures and Higher Education Financing: A Comparative Study of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and France

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

2 Faculty Member, Payam-e Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Higher education, as one of the most important spheres of public governance, plays a decisive role in the development of human capital, the production of knowledge and technology, the enhancement of economic competitiveness, and the achievement of sustainable development. Accordingly, its governance structure and financing arrangements are among the principal determinants of the effectiveness of higher education systems. This study aims to explain the relationship between governance structure and higher education financing through a comparative examination of Germany, France, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. The study employs a descriptive-analytical method and draws on library sources, documents, legislation, and authoritative studies. The findings indicate that although the State remains the principal actor in higher education policymaking and financing in all four countries, the systems examined have gradually moved away from exclusive reliance on public budgets and towards greater diversification of financial resources. This transition has been pursued through tuition fees, private-sector participation, university-industry cooperation, research and technology contracts, the provision of academic services, charitable contributions, and tax incentives. Despite a shared commitment to diversification, the manner in which it has been pursued varies according to each country’s governance structure, economic conditions, and development objectives. Germany places particular emphasis on university autonomy and cooperation with industry; France combines continuing State support with the activities of non-governmental institutions; Turkey follows a mixed public-private partnership model; and Saudi Arabia seeks to enhance the financial autonomy of universities as part of its transition towards a knowledge-based economy. On this basis, a direct relationship exists between the governance model and the higher education financing system, and the achievement of higher education objectives requires an appropriate balance between State support, university autonomy, and diversification of financial resources.

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References

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Journal of Comparative Public Law
Volume 3, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10
September 2026
Pages 29-69

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