Empowering higher education institutions through strengthening internal quality assurance processes

Abstract

It is generally accepted that stronger internal quality assurance processes should result in stronger higher education institutions. Using Luckett’s Conceptual Framework for Analysing Quality Assurance Systems, this chapter advances the view that power and control of higher education have gradually shifted from academia to the state, usually represented by national quality assurance agencies and the market, because of externalisation of quality assurance. Drawing on a critical literature review, it is further argued that although quality assurance agencies claim to strike a balance between improvement and accountability, external quality assurance mechanisms tend to have an accountability and compliance focus, and rather promote the managerialisation and bureaucratisation of academia. This chapter argues that effective higher education systems need to focus on internal quality assurance, built on a strong quality culture. Therefore, the focus on external quality assurance should be on supporting and strengthening internal quality assurance systems to ensure sustainable quality development. The chapter concludes by arguing that external quality assurance, which is intended to genuinely protect the public interest, should respect academic freedom and institutional autonomy, and build trust in the capacity of the academic community to realise quality.