Abstract:

The digital revolution is changing the way we live, work and interact with each other. The rapid changes and abrupt transitions that the fourth industrial revolution is generating with the massive access to new technologies and communications, the internet and digital automation are also demanding changes in the governance of universities, given the high complexity of intellectual skills required, openness to change and flexibility. Results of a multiple case study led during the years 2015-2017 using Robert Yin(2003) case study method, and a mixed approach in four public universities of the Colombian Caribbean State University System - SUE CARIBE (University of Cartagena, University of Córdoba, Universidad del Atlántico and Universidad de la Guajira) around its university government and institutional quality outcomes based on the Colombian institutional accreditation framework according to guidelines of the National Accreditation Council (CNA), allowed the identification of the necessary conditions and characteristics for university governance, such as government structure, qualification profiles, experience, levels of responsibility, ability to command, power of execution, effective leadership, strategic planning, evaluation and monitoring, values and relationships with university and external environment. The study also shed light on the necessary transformations needed to increase the public confidence of society towards its universities as public goods at its service.

Keywords:

Governance, higher education Colombia, quality, Public universities, IR 4.0.