Introduction: This study was conducted to desig a futures research model with a strategic thinking approach in higher education. Futurology want predict development and improvement in the probable and possible future by analyzing of the current situation, identifying mechanisms of change and defining different scenarios.
Material and methods: The research method was qualitative-quantitative (mix method) with emphasis on structural equations. The statistical population included 25 specialists and experts in the qualitative section who were targeted by snowball method and in the quantitative section included all the staff of Farhangian University of Khorasan provinces (396 people),196 people were selected using the proportional stratified method by Morgan table. The research instrument were interview and researcher-made questionnaire whose Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.98. Their face and content validity were confirmed by experts. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 22 and PLS software.
Results: A model was designed by collected data that among the dimensions of futurology, futurism, leadership and creativity are more important than other dimensions (coefficient 0.81, 0.82, 0.83) and among the dimensions of strategic thinking; the organizational dimension (coefficient 0.84) is the most important and intuitive dimension (coefficient 0.73) is the lowest in the University.
Conclusion: It is proposed establishing a futurology table to determine strategies in all areas and stakeholders using local, national, regional and international capacities for the favorable future of universities and higher education institution.