Internal quality assurance systems: “tailor made” or “one size fits all” implementation?

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sónia Cardoso ◽  
Maria J. Rosa ◽  
Pedro Videira ◽  
Alberto Amaral
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Institutional Characteristics ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Quality ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to look at the characteristics of internal quality assurance (IQA) systems of higher education institutions to understand whether these systems tend to reproduce a given model, externally defined and suggested to institutions, or rather to be shaped by institutions’ features and interests. Design/methodology/approach The study is supported in the analysis of the content of self-assessment reports of 12 internal QA systems certified, in Portugal, between 2012 and 2015. An analysis grid was used based on three categories: IQA systems’ historical framework, structural/managerial component and monitoring, assessment and continuous improvement. Findings Institutions tended to follow a “one size fits all” approach, meaning that external (European and national) quality assurance (QA) references were used in an identical way, giving origin to rather similar IQA systems. Institutional characteristics do not seem to have played a relevant role, eventually due to institutions’ will to obtain their systems’ certification and, thus, achieve a light-touch external QA. Research limitations/implications The study was based on the analysis of only certified IQA systems and relies on document analysis. It would be interesting to also include non-certified systems, in a comparative perspective, complemented with data deriving from interviews and/or questionnaires with some of the actors involved in the certification process. Practical implications The study provides an understanding of how IQA systems are being implemented in Portugal. Thus, it can be of interest to other institutions as well as to QA agencies. Originality/value The study addresses a topic still relatively absent from research on QA in higher education, being of interest for researchers in the field.

scholarly journals The role of the self-assessment report for the educational program in the systems of internal and external quality assurance of higher education

2018 ◽  
pp. 34-44
Author(s):  
Dariia Shchegliuk
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
The Self ◽  
External Quality Assurance ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
External Quality ◽  
Assessment Report ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance

The article is devoted to the introduction of a report on self-assessment in the practical activities carried by higher education institutions in Ukraine. The role of the report on the self-assessment of educational programs in the systems of internal and external quality assurance in higher education Is described. In internal quality assurance systems, a self-assessment report is defined as a tool for self-analysis of educational programs and an assessment of the effectiveness of the quality assurance system of higher education and the quality of educational activities of the institution. This report allows to identify the weaknesses of the program/system and plan ways to manage them. For an external quality assurance system, a self-assessment report is positioned as the main document generated by the provider of educational services for external evaluation. It is included that such a document is created for accreditation and for applications to participate  in global university rankings. The criteria for forming a self-assessment report and its structure are substantiated. A typical template for a self-assessment report that meets all the requirements of the Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education" and the criteria "Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area" is proposed. The template of report includes a list of criteria, essential requirements, key issues for analysis, and possible confirmations, as well as suggestions for improving and further developing the program. The use of the self-assessment report in internal quality assurance systems (during the periodic review and monitoring of educational programs to identify strengths and weaknesses, to ensure the transparency and clarity of various aspects of educational activities by internal and external stakeholders) and in external quality assurance systems (including for determining the progress of institutions of higher education and their ranking - both in subject areas and in general) is suggested.

scholarly journals Conceptualising External and Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education: A Pragmatist Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Ansah
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Education Quality ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Higher Education Quality ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Education Quality Assurance

The traditional tension between external and internal quality assurance implementation in higher education appears to be declining, based on a rethinking of the relationship between the two concepts. Although there are quality assurance agencies that still consider external and internal quality assurance as separate entities, most quality assurance agencies now regard the two concepts as complementary. In this paper, a case is put that the present rethinking of external and internal quality assurance in most higher education settings is guided by pragmatism, but not explicitly acknowledged in the literature. For a better appreciation of pragmatists’ influence on the current understanding of the relationship between external and internal quality assurance in higher education, this paper provides a further pragmatist conceptualisation of the two concepts to enhance stakeholders’ appreciation of employing a pragmatist approach to quality assurance practices in higher education. The conceptualisation is done through a pragmatist analysis of selected international accounts on higher education quality assurance. The paper concludes that pragmatism helps to understand external and internal quality assurance as nested concepts with reciprocities of accountability and improvement roles, and influences which call for alignment of perspectives through negotiations and settlements in order to focus on their practical relevance for implementation in higher education. La tension traditionnelle entre l’implémentation de systèmes d’assurance qualité interne et externe dans l’enseignement supérieur semble s’affaiblir grâce à la reconsidération de la relation entre ces deux concepts. Bien qu’il existe des agences d’assurance qualité qui continuent à considérer les assurances qualité interne et externe comme deux entités distinctes, la plupart des agences considèrent désormais qu’elles sont complémentaires. Cet article soutient que la nouvelle manière de penser les assurances qualité interne et externe dans l’enseignement supérieur est guidée par un souci de pragmatisme mais est encore peu reconnue dans la littérature. Pour mieux apprécier l’influence des pragmatistes sur la compréhension actuelle de la relation entre les assurances qualité interne et externe, cet article offre une conceptualisation pragmatique approfondie de ces deux concepts dans le but d’augmenter l’appréciation des parties prenantes pour l’utilisation d’une telle approche. La conceptualisation proposée provient d’une analyse pragmatique d’un choix d’expériences internationales en matière d’assurance qualité pour l’enseignement supérieur. En conclusion, cet article affirme que le pragmatisme aide à comprendre les assurances qualité interne et externe comme des concepts imbriqués qui ont des rôles réciproques en ce qui concerne la responsabilisation du système et son amélioration. Ces rôles ainsi que l’influence exercée par ces deux types d’assurance qualité requièrent des négociations et accords, pour s’accorder sur les perspectives et pouvoir ensuite se concentrer pleinement sur la pertinence pratique de leur implémentation dans les systèmes d’enseignement supérieur. 

scholarly journals Main Features and Challenges of Implementing Internal Quality Assurance Within African Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Eduardo Mondlane University

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Casimiro Zavale ◽  
Luisa Alcantra Santos ◽  
Maria Da Conceição Dias
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
African Higher Education ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance ◽  
Reflection On Action ◽  
First Time ◽  
Eduardo Mondlane University

Founded in 1962, Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), Mozambique’s largest and most prestigious university, established an Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) system for the first time in 2013. Based on UEM’s case, this paper examines the features and challenges faced when implementing an IQA system within African higher education institutions. Literature on higher education quality assurance has widely examined the features of, and challenges faced by national QA systems, or by a QA system established across several higher education institutions (HEIs). However, this literature has rarely targeted single HEIs, particularly (African) HEIs that are establishing, for the first time, their IQA systems. Besides, even when IQA at a single HEI is targeted, this is often done by outsiders. Based on reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action, this paper addresses the perspectives of both insiders and outsiders. The authors analyse a system that they have been involved in establishing. The paper’s findings enable to conclude that the main challenges of implementing an IQA system in an African HEI are associated with linking QA to decision-making and to a funding strategy; training human resources and allocating funds for the system to operate and to be sustainable; enabling the system to be assimilated by the university community; and defining measurable and objective quality standards to enable unbiased performance classification. Fondée en 1962, l’Université Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), la plus grande et la plus prestigieuse université du Mozambique, a créé pour la première fois en 2013 un système interne d’assurance qualité (IAQ). A partir de l’étude du cas de l’UEM, cet article examine les caractéristiques et les défis qui attendent les institutions d’enseignement supérieur africaines qui désirent implémenter un IAQ. La littérature sur l’assurance qualité de l’enseignement supérieur a largement examiné les caractéristiques des systèmes nationaux d’AQ (ou de systèmes communs à plusieurs institutions), et les défis auxquels ils sont confrontés. Elle s ‘est cependant rarement concentrée sur des cas uniques d’institutions, notamment des institutions (africaines) qui ont créé pour la première fois leur propre IAQ. Par ailleurs, même quand elle s’attarde sur une institution en particulier, l’analyse est souvent effectuée par des personnes étrangères à l’institution. Fondé sur la réflexion dans l’action et la réflexion sur l’action, cet article présente les perspectives de personnes internes et étrangères à l’établissement. Il permet de conclure que les principaux défis à affronter lors de l’établissement d’un IAQ sont dus à la difficulté de lier l’AQ à la prise de décision et à une stratégie de financement ; à la formation des ressources humaines et l’allocation des fonds nécessaires pour que le système fonctionne et perdure ; à l’assimilation du système par la communauté universitaire ; et à la définition de standards de qualité mesurables et objectifs pour permettre une classification de la performance impartiale. 

scholarly journals Challenges in Quality Assurance: A Ten-Year Journey

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 01016
Author(s):  
Jenny Mochtar ◽  
Gan Shu San
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Academic Standards ◽  
External Quality Assurance ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
External Quality ◽  
Christian University ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance

Academic quality is defined as the equivalent to academic standards related to student learning outcomes, which consist of specific levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities achieved by students participating in a program. The achievement of academic standards is accommodated by implementing both internal and external quality assurance practices. Internal quality assurance refers to policies and practices used by the higher education institutions to monitor and improve the quality of their education, while external quality assurance refers to policies and practices set up by external parties to assure the quality of higher education institutions and programs. Petra Christian University has built and implemented its internal quality assurance since 2009 based on its unique quality culture. After its ten-year journey and the achievements that Petra Christian University has reached in 2019, the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Society 5.0 are challenges ahead that Petra Christian University has to face.

The European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 342-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria J. Manatos ◽  
Cláudia S. Sarrico ◽  
Maria J. Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Management Model ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Management Model ◽  
Standards And Guidelines

Purpose The authors’ thesis statement is that the literature on quality management in higher education is evolving towards an idea of integration. Considering Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) (ENQA, 2009) to be a framework for the implementation of quality management practices in universities, the purpose of this paper is to understand whether the ESG represent a truly integrated quality management model. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse the content of the ESG taking into account three levels of analysis: the process level, the organisational level and the quality management principles level. Findings The analysis shows that the ESG are a quality management model, covering different processes, organisational levels and quality management principles. This is despite not being a truly integrated quality management model. Indeed, the ESG are mainly focussed on teaching and learning and on support processes, neglecting other processes of universities, such as research and scholarship and the third mission. In addition, they leave aside quality management principles more directly linked with a systemic and holistic approach to quality, such as the system approach principle. Originality/value The paper presents a new analysis of a much discussed quality management model for higher education. It explores the ESG in the light of the concept of integration, discussed according to a new framework of analysis. It also highlights the importance of a broader reflection on these standards and of their integration in the management systems of institutions.

scholarly journals Quality Culture and Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education Institution

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ta Thi Thu Hien ◽  
Nguyen Thi Thu Huong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Quality Assurance System ◽  
Quality Culture ◽  
Assurance System ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance ◽  
World Class Universities

Internal quality assurance is an important management tool in higher education. World-class universities have established and developed their internal quality assurance system together with buiding and developing the institutional quality culture. Research and practice from many universities worldwide showed that there are good connections between quality culture and internal quality assurance. This paper aims to analyse and evaluate the relationship between internal quality assurance and quality culture in the international higher education context. Consequently, the outcomes of the study are recommendations for the establishment and development of the quality culture together with the development of the internal quality assurance system for Vietnamese higher education institutions.

scholarly journals Contribution of leadership, organizational commitment and organizational culture to improve the quality of higher education

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-157
Author(s):  
Onisimus Amtu ◽  
Sjeny Liza Souisa ◽  
Lourine Sience Joseph ◽  
Pitersina Christina Lumamuly
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Quality Assurance System ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Assurance System ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance

Objective of the study: The low quality of higher education in Indonesia has been a concern as well as a shared responsibility to fix it from an early age. Lack of maximum leadership, low organizational commitment, and organizational culture have had an impact on the implementation of an internal quality assurance system. This study intends to examine whether there is a direct or indirect effect of leadership and organizational commitment on the implementation of an internal quality assurance system mediated by organizational culture in state universities.Methodology/Approach: This research uses quantitative methods with a path analysis design. Each value of the effect of exogenous and endogenous variables is tested and analyzed descriptively and path analysis to show the contribution made by each variable studied. Data were collected through a questionnaire with a sample of 221 from a population of 340 populations spread across three state universities in Ambon city, Maluku province, Indonesia.Originality/Relevance: Organizational culture plays an important role to mediate and contribute to the leadership and organizational commitment to create situations and encourage the participation of all elements in the application of the internal quality assurance system in higher education. Main results: The quality of higher education is determined by many factors, but by increasing the role, performance, competence, and leadership style and supported by organizational commitment in an affective, normative, and sustainable manner, the organizational culture becomes one of the frameworks for every university to improve quality and competitiveness in a planned manner. and continuous.Theoretical/methodological contributions: Universities need leadership that is able to encourage and increase collective organizational commitment and culture to achieve sustainable higher education quality. Social/management contributions: The results of this research can be a new breakthrough for each faculty, department, and the department to prepare prospective professional leaders, build solidarity and display a dynamic, creative, and innovative academic culture.

scholarly journals Internal Quality Assurance of Institutional Learning Outcomes: United States Case Study and Implications for Vietnam Higher Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Nhung Tuyet Thi Pham ◽  
Binh Thanh Thi Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Institutional Learning ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance ◽  
Internal Stakeholders ◽  
Traditional Performance

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are under pressure to provide evidence of student success. In addition to traditional performance indicators such as GPA, grades, and rates of retention, graduation and employment, stakeholders also required institutions to provide evidence of institutional learning outcomes (ILOs). ILOs encompass the knowledge and skills that all students regardless of disciplines from a specific university are expected to demonstrate upon their graduation. This case study examines a complete internal quality assurance (IQA) cycle from a U.S. comprehensive university, including the adaptation of national authentic assessment measures, the use of technology in data analysis, the best practices to communicate assessment results to multiple internal stakeholders to facilitate leadership decision-making, the challenges encountered, and the improvement plans to sustain the procedure. Researchers also make recommendations to Vietnam HEIs that want to adopt IQA of ILOs for both quality improvement and accountability purposes.

scholarly journals Current Situation and Challenges of Internal Quality Assurance in Mongolian Higher Education Institutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 594-604
Author(s):  
Ganbaatar Сhantsaldulam ◽  
Igor Koroduk ◽  
Galina Voynikova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Quality Assurance System ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Assurance System ◽  
Internal Quality Assurance

Quality assurance in higher education has become an endeavor of global proportions. With the increasing necessity of quality assurance system, the efforts have been initiated within the higher education sector in Mongolia to seek a feasible internal quality assurance system that is in line with the international standards. The main objective of this article is to identify the problems encountered Mongolian higher education system specifically to the implementation of internal quality assurance in HEIs and explore factors that are influential to the implementation of internal quality assurance system of Mongolia. Thus, this article is expected to give recommendations at institutional level by pinpointing the facts that should be taken into account in developing and implementing a workable and effective internal quality assurance system for Mongolian higher education institutions. This article reviewed literatures on the quality assurance systems in higher education area, and determined the current situation and challenges encountered in quality assurance of Mongolian higher education institutions. The findings of the article indicate that the four main issues — the factors influential to the establishment of effective IQA system, quality assurance structure, lack of understanding towards IQA activities and implementation as the view of preparing only for self-evaluation report, and the lack of transparent information system. The article finds that the participation of both external and internal stakeholders in quality assurance process and activities is the key to the development and implementation of an effective internal quality assurance system.

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