Utilising six sigma for improving pass percentage of students: A technical institute case study

Abstract

Service sector accounts for a substantial share in Indian economy and among the service industries, education sector is emerging as a major commercial activity in the nation. Globalization, growing competition among institutions, emergence of new technologies, changing socio-economic profiles of nations and knowledge driven economies have created a scenario where quality in education is beginning to occupy the centre stage. Now the quality is no more a desirable strategy – it has become a survival strategy. In such a scenario, ‘Technical Education Institutions’ require an innovative supporting tool, which helps in improving the quality of education system. In industry, a company may look at defects in its final manufactured products, whereas, in engineering education, a defect relates to falling pass percentage among students. In industry, a company may look at defects in its final manufactured products, but in engineering education, these defects are related to falling pass percentage among students or capabilities of the students. This paper reviews the implications of applying Six Sigma methodology over a technical institute to increase the passing rate of students. It was found that application of Six Sigma project recommendation increased the sigma level of the technical institute to 4.17 from 2.28 and significantly resulted in increasing the passing rate of students. This article provides documented evidence of Six Sigma implementation in technical education in India and will yield a great value to academics, consultants, researchers and practitioners of Six Sigma. Key words: Six sigma, DPMO, DMAIC, technical institute.