THE IMPACT OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS TO THE QUALITY OF SERVICES, OFFERED BY HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO STUDENT`S SATISFACTION

Abstract

Worldwide and mainly in the European Union many standards, regulations, models and systems exists for the evaluation of individual universities and Higher Education in General. All systems are targeting to measure or evaluate the Universities’ Quality Assurance Systems and the services offered to the recipients of higher education, mainly the students. Numerous surveys were conducted in the past either by each university or by organized bodies to identify the students’ satisfaction or to evaluate up to what extent these requirements are fulfilled. The question is “Are there any common requirements, parameters, good practices or questions that apply to a large number of universities that will assure that the society and students’ requirements are fulfilled?” Consequently, this opposes the main objective of this unique joint research which initiated in 2012 (Angeli I, Pilava Y. 2012) and repeated in 2017. Based on a review of the international literature and practices, an effort was made to explore the data and the challenges educational institutions are facing, the aspects of evaluation of educational institutions, the modern demands of students and stakeholders in universities. Furthermore, an investigation was made to identify up to what extent the students’ requirements and satisfaction are included in the most common university evaluation models and then how university authorities can accomplish those model requirements and on the same time the student’s requirements.In both case studies a detail internationally accepted questionnaire was used to evaluate up to what extent the students’ requirements and satisfaction were fulfilled in 2012 and five years later (2017). The questionnaire and methodology adopted, as well as the comparison tables and results will be very valuable to any university that is willing to follow the same route and methodology. It is important to say that Cyprus was and is still in Economic crisis. Twelve questions are related to effects of the economic crisis to their studies, programs etc. Consequently, someone can see and investigate the effects of the economic crisis in Higher education. A scientific tool and methodology is presented in this paper