Quality assurance systems as a higher education policy tool in Korea: International convergence and local contexts

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Cheol Shin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Policy Tool ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
International Convergence

Conceptualising quality following conflict: Afghanistan’s higher education policy

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-451
Author(s):  
Daniel Couch
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
National Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Conversation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the dominant conceptualisation of quality in Afghanistan’s higher education strategic planning and policies, and consider the implications a broader conceptualisation of quality might have within Afghanistan’s conflict-affected context. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on data from document analysis and semi-structured interviews, the author identifies the dominant policy conceptualisation of quality. Findings The dominant conceptualisation of quality in Afghanistan’s higher education policy documents aligns with the sector’s primary policy purpose of promoting economic growth. However, quality assurance processes were developed with significant input from international actors, and replicate global norms for quality assurance. Whilst this is important for validity and legitimacy, at the same time it can be delegitimising for local stakeholders, and can limit opportunities for conceptualisations of quality which genuinely engage with the particularities of Afghanistan’s broader conflict-affected social context. Research limitations/implications Introducing conceptualisations of quality in Afghanistan’s higher education policy which de-centre economic growth, and rather re-position social goals of cohesion and political sustainability as a central understanding of quality higher education, opens possibilities for the sector’s contribution towards national development. Originality/value There is limited published research into conceptualisations of quality within low-income and conflict-affected higher education contexts in general, and Afghanistan in particular. This paper intends to extend a critical conversation about the non-economic dividends a quality higher education sector can offer in such contexts.

scholarly journals The game of rankings in a quality world university space

2019 ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Stamelos ◽  
Panagiota Evangelakou
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Institutional Level ◽  
The Public ◽  
Policy And Strategy ◽  
Market Product ◽  
Financial Issues

The objective of this text is to proceed to an analysis of international classifications and their impact on two levels: a) their unexpected public success, and b) their decisive influence on higher education policy and strategy. We argue that defining quality assurance is crucial in order to legitimize choices about evaluation on a political and institutional level. In any case, it seems clear that rankings are a dubious construction but highly legitimized by the public and governments. So, under these circumstances, rankings are here and they will probably stay, together with the financial issues they create. Indeed, rankings are an interesting new global market product which universities seem to have to negotiate wisely.

scholarly journals University Rankings as an Education Policy Tool

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.V. Lugovskoy
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
State Regulation ◽  
University Rankings ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Strong State ◽  
Policy Tool ◽  
The One

The article deals with the problem of university rankings as a tool for regulating national higher education policy, which is shaped by both local and global processes. The article gives a literature review on university rankings with a specific focus on their downsides. The article argues that excessive implementation of ranking-oriented policy may result in negative consequences for a national educational system especially the one based on strong state regulation.

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