"Quality in higher education is a multi-dimensional, multi-level, and dynamic concept that relates to the contextual settings of an educational model, to the institutional mission and objectives, as well as to specific standards within given system, institution, program or discipline. Quality may thus take different, sometimes conflicting meanings depending on (i)the understanding of various interests of different constituencies or stakeholders in higher education (e.g. students; universities; disciplines; the labor market; society; a government); (ii) its references, inputs, processes, outputs, mission, objectives, etc; (iii) the attributes or characteristics of the academic world worth evaluating; and (iv) the historical period in the development of higher education." (UNESCO, 2007)
Because of that, unfortunately, there is no one-size-fit-all model. You have to design the quality assurance or quality management system based on so many parameters - vision, mission, objectives of the institution, the type of institution (vocational, college, university, etc.), processes within the institution (which will depend on the programs, etc.); and more importantly, how the HEI defines quality also affects the design of the QMS (is it quality as excellence, quality as fit-of-purpose, quality as fit-for-purpose, quality as improvement or enhancement".
Thanks for the response, it is clear. If I may extend my question. Are there no Quality Assurance Models for Universities that have been propounded before, irrespective of whether they can fit in one context or not ?
Hi, Evans!
The concept of quality assurance originated in the manufacturing sector, so I do believe that the same principles such as TQM, ISO 9001:2008, ISO 9001:2015 can also be applied in Higher Education Institution (HEI) however, it does require in-depth understanding of how you can apply these principles within the context of the HEI. (I know of many HEIs that are now into ISO certification for their QMS).
Normally, you would set up your quality assurance based on defined HEI mission and objectives (fitness of purpose) - this is your internal quality assurance. Later, you will have to prepare to meet generally accepted standards such as those specified by accreditation bodies - the external quality assurance (fitness for purpose). At this point, the standards of the applicable accreditation bodies helps you identify the things that you need in your quality assurance - for example, the standard may specify "risk management" as a criteria, then that will tell you that you need to prepare this (if you don't have it).
I actually have a book (yet to be published) entitled, Simplifying Accreditation: 10 Steps to Quality Assurance in Higher Education Institution which is based on ISO 9001:2015.
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