Quality Assurance in Higher Education in the 21st Century: Strategies and Practices for New Generation Universities

Abstract

This study aims to examine the components of quality assurance systems in higher education and the effects of these systems on new-generation universities. Through literature review and synthesis of findings, the essential components of quality assurance systems, their role in modern universities, and the effects of these systems on performance have been comprehensively analyzed. In the study, the structural elements, operational mechanisms, and accreditation processes of quality assurance systems have been detailed, and the effects of these processes on the academic and administrative performances of new-generation universities have been evaluated. In addition, quality assurance strategies have been suggested that align with the characteristic features of new-generation universities, such as technology-oriented education models, flexible curriculum structures, and industry collaborations. In addition, within the scope of the research, it emphasizes the contributions of quality assurance systems in compliance with international standards, increasing student satisfaction and strengthening institutional reputation. It is evaluated that it will make significant contributions to the literature by offering new perspectives in the field of quality assurance to higher education institutions in Turkey.

Keywords

• Quality assurance
• sustainability
• accreditation
• strategic planning
• Turkish higher education
• New generation universities

References

1. Aithal, P. S., Prabhu, S., & Aithal, S. (2024). Future of Higher Education through Technology Prediction and Forecasting (SSRN Scholarly Paper 4901474). Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4901474.
2. Albloushi, B., Alharmoodi, A., Jabeen, F., Mehmood, K., & Farouk, S. (2023). Total quality management practices and corporate sustainable development in manufacturing companies: the mediating role of green innovation. Management Research Review, 46(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-03-2021-0194.
3. Al-Jumaili, A. H. A., Muniyandi, R. C., Hasan, M. K., Paw, J. K. S., & Singh, M. J. (2023). Big Data Analytics Using Cloud Computing Based Frameworks for Power Management Systems: Status, Constraints, and Future Recommendations. In Sensors (Vol. 23, Issue 6). https://doi.org/10.3390/s23062952.
4. Al-Zoubi, Z., Qablan, A., Issa, H. B., Bataineh, O., & Al Kaabi, A. M. (2023). The Degree of Implementation of Total Quality Management in Universities and Its Relationship to the Level of Community Service from the Perspectives of Faculty Members. Sustainability, 15(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032404.
5. Almurayh, A., Saeed, S., Aldhafferi, N., Alqahtani, A., & Saqib, M. (2022). Sustainable Education Quality Improvement Using Academic Accreditation: Findings from a University in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416968.
6. Altbach, P. G., & De Wit, H. (2018). The challenge to higher education internationalization. Studies in Higher Education, 42(5), 887–900.
7. Amaral, E., & Norcini, J. (2023). Quality assurance in health professions education: Role of accreditation and licensure. Medical Education, 57(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14880.
8. Andreani, M., Russo, D., Salini, S., & Turri, M. (2020). Shadows over accreditation in higher education: some quantitative evidence. Higher Education, 79(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-019-00432-1.

9. Asif, M., & Raouf, A. (2013). Setting the course for quality assurance in higher education. Quality and Quantity, 47(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-011-9639-2.
10. Aydoğdu, M. (2023). Kalite Güvencesi Sistemi: Trakya Üniversitesi İyi Uygulama Örnekleri. Kalite ve Strateji Yönetimi Dergisi, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.56682/ksydergi.1243209.
11. Batoon, N. P. (2022). Assessment of Quality Assurance Implementation: Valuation and Impact of the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) Accreditation. CEMJP, 30(4), Article 4.
12. Bednarski, M. (2024). Digitalization of the university and its stakes–digital materalities, organology and academic practices. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 56(7). https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2024.2320193.
13. Bondzi–Simpson, P. E., & Agomor, K. S. (2021). Financing Public Universities in Ghana Through Strategic Agility: Lessons from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-020-00254-6.
14. Büyükgüzel, K., Keleş, V., & Çelik, C. (2023). Bölgesel Kalkınmadan Uluslararasılaşmaya Doğru Üniversite Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezlerinin Genel Durumu: Araştırma ve Yenilik Stratejilerinde Kalite Güvence Sisteminin Geliştirilmesi. Üniversite Araştırmaları Dergisi, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.32329/uad.1335796.
15. Carayannis, E. G., & Morawska-Jancelewicz, J. (2022). The Futures of Europe: Society 5.0 and Industry 5.0 as Driving Forces of Future Universities. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-021-00854-2.
16. Castro Benavides, L. M., Tamayo Arias, J. A., Arango Serna, M. D., Branch Bedoya, J. W., & Burgos, D. (2020). Digital Transformation in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review. In Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) (Vol. 20, Issue 11). https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113291.
17. Chankseliani, M., Qoraboyev, I., & Gimranova, D. (2021). Higher education contributing to local, national, and global development: new empirical and conceptual insights. Higher Education, 81(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-020-00565-8.
18. Cheah, L. F., Cheng, M. Y., & Hen, K. W. (2023). The effect of quality management practices on academics’ innovative performance in Malaysian higher education institutions. Studies in Higher Education, 48(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2160702.
19. Cirella, S., & Murphy, S. (2022). Exploring intermediary practices of collaboration in university–industry innovation: A practice theory approach. Creativity and Innovation Management, 31(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12491.
20. de Wit, H., & Altbach, P. G. (2021). Internationalization in higher education: Global trends and recommendations for its future. Policy Reviews in Higher Education, 5(1), 28–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322969.2020.1820898.
21. Di Nauta, P., Iannuzzi, E., Milone, M., & Nigro, C. (2020). The impact of the sustainability principles on the strategic planning and reporting of universities. An exploratory study on a qualified Italian sample. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187269.
22. Duarte, N., & Vardasca, R. (2023). Literature Review of Accreditation Systems in Higher Education. In Education Sciences (Vol. 13, Issue 6). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13060582.
23. Gamage, K. A. A., Pradeep, R. G. G. R., Najdanovic-Visak, V., & Gunawardhana, N. (2020). Academic Standards and Quality Assurance: The Impact of COVID-19 on University Degree Programs. Sustainability, 12(23), Article 23. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310032.
24. Gaston, P. L., & Ochoa, E. M. (2023). Higher Education Accreditation: How It’s Changing, Why It Must. In Higher Education Accreditation: How It’s Changing, Why It Must. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003445074.
25. Gerdsri, N., & Manotungvorapun, N. (2022). Systemizing the Management of University-Industry Collaboration: Assessment and Roadmapping. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 69(1). https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2021.3077447.
26. Gora, A. A., Ştefan, S. C., Popa, Ş. C., & Albu, C. F. (2019). Students’ perspective on quality assurance in higher education in the context of sustainability: A PLS-SEM approach. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11174793.
27. Guo, P., Saab, N., Post, L. S., & Admiraal, W. (2020). A review of project-based learning in higher education: Student outcomes and measures. International Journal of Educational Research, 102, 101586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101586.
28. Hailikari, T., Virtanen, V., Vesalainen, M., & Postareff, L. (2022). Student perspectives on how different elements of constructive alignment support active learning. Active Learning in Higher Education, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787421989160.
29. Haverila, M., Haverila, K., McLaughlin, C., & Arora, M. (2021). Towards a comprehensive student satisfaction model. International Journal of Management Education, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100558.
30. Hazelkorn, E. (2019). Global rankings and the geopolitics of higher education: Understanding the influence and impact of rankings on higher education, policy, and society. Routledge.
31. Hernandez-Diaz, P. M., Polanco, J. A., & Castaño, S. M. (2020). Do sustainability practices influence university quality? A Colombian case study. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 21(7). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-03-2020-0087.
32. Horta, H., & Santos, J. M. (2020). Organisational factors and academic research agendas: an analysis of academics in the social sciences. Studies in Higher Education, 45(12). https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1612351.
33. Jackson, D., Riebe, L., Meek, S., Ogilvie, M., Kuilboer, A., Murphy, L., Collins, N., Lynch, K., & Brock, M. (2023). Using an industry-aligned capabilities framework to effectively assess student performance in non-accredited work-integrated learning contexts. Teaching in Higher Education, 28(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2020.1863348.
34. Jackson, D., & Rowe, A. (2023). Impact of work-integrated learning and co-curricular activities on graduate labour force outcomes. Studies in Higher Education, 48(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2145465.
35. Jackson, D., & Tomlinson, M. (2022). The relative importance of work experience, extra-curricular and university-based activities on student employability. Higher Education Research and Development, 41(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.1901663.
36. Javed, Y., & Alenezi, M. (2023). A Case Study on Sustainable Quality Assurance in Higher Education. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108136.
37. Jayanti, N. K. D. A., & Sarja, N. L. A. K. Y. (2019). IT as a Tools: Quality Assurance System in Higher Education. 2019 1st International Conference on Cybernetics and Intelligent System, ICORIS 2019. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICORIS.2019.8874890.
38. Jiménez-Bucarey, C., Acevedo-Duque, Á., Müller-Pérez, S., Aguilar-Gallardo, L., Mora-Moscoso, M., & Vargas, E. C. (2021). Student’s satisfaction of the quality of online learning in higher education: An empirical study. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111960.
39. Jingura, R. M., & Kamusoko, R. (2019). A competency framework for internal quality assurance in higher education. International Journal of Management in Education, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMIE.2019.098186.
40. Kadhila, N., & Iipumbu, N. (2019). Strengthening internal quality assurance as a lever for enhancing student learning experiences and academic success: lessons from Namibia. Quality in Higher Education, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2019.1597424.
41. Kır, Ş. (2020). Dijital dönüşüm sürecinde yükseköğretim kurumları ve öğretim elemanlarının gelişen rolleri. In Açıköğretim Uygulamaları ve Araştırmaları Dergisi, 6(3).
42. Laptevа, A. V., Efimov, V. S., Лаптева, А. В., & Ефимов, В. С. (2016). New Generation of Universities. University 4.0. https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/29969.
43. Li, H., & Yin, Z. (2023). Influence of publication on university ranking: Citation, collaboration, and level of interdisciplinary research. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 55(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006221106178.
44. Liu, H. C., Liu, R., Gu, X., & Yang, M. (2023). From total quality management to Quality 4.0: A systematic literature review and future research agenda. In Frontiers of Engineering Management (Vol. 10, Issue 2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42524-022-0243-z.
45. López, D. A., Espinoza, O., Rojas, M. J., & Crovetto, M. (2022). External evaluation of university quality in Chile: an overview. In Quality Assurance in Education (Vol. 30, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-08-2021-0141.
46. Lucander, H., & Christersson, C. (2020). Engagement for quality development in higher education: a process for quality assurance of assessment. Quality in Higher Education, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2020.1761008.
47. Lundberg, H., & Öberg, C. (2021). Teachers, researchers, but not innovators? Rethinking university-industry collaboration. Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, 36(13). https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-03-2020-0126.
48. M. Ghoneim Sywelem, M., & Mohamed Elsayed Makhlouf, A. (2023). Common Challenges of Strategic Planning for Higher Education in Egypt. American Journal of Educational Research, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.12691/education-11-6-12.
49. Makki, A. A., Alqahtani, A. Y., Abdulaal, R. M. S., & Madbouly, A. I. (2023). A Novel Strategic Approach to Evaluating Higher Education Quality Standards in University Colleges Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making. Education Sciences, 13(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13060577.
50. Manotungvorapun, N., & Gerdsri, N. (2021). University-industry collaboration: Assessing the matching quality between companies and academic partners. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 68(5). https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2019.2910154.
51. Marrucci, L., Daddi, T., & Iraldo, F. (2024). Creating environmental performance indicators to assess corporate sustainability and reward employees. Ecological Indicators, 158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111489.
52. Mattos, L. K. de, Flach, L., Costa, A. M., & Moré, R. P. O. (2023). Effectiveness and Sustainability Indicators in Higher Education Management. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010298.
53. Medne, A., Lapina, I., & Zeps, A. (2020). Sustainability of a university’s quality system: adaptation of the EFQM excellence model. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQSS-09-2019-0108.
54. Miotto, G., Del-Castillo-Feito, C., & Blanco-González, A. (2020). Reputation and legitimacy: Key factors for Higher Education Institutions’ sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Business Research, 112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.11.076.
55. Mohamed Hashim, M. A., Tlemsani, I., & Matthews, R. (2022). Higher education strategy in digital transformation. Education and Information Technologies, 27(3), 3171–3195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10739-1.
56. Moscardini, A. O., Strachan, R., & Vlasova, T. (2022). The role of universities in modern society. Studies in Higher Education, 47(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1807493.
57. Mulenga, I. M. (2020). Rethinking Quality Assurance in Curriculum Development and Implementation for Higher Education in Africa. East African Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 1(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.46606/eajess2020v01i03.0039.
58. My Nguyen, L. T., Tran, T., van Pham, T., Nguyen, T. T., Thu Le, H. T., Phuong Trinh, T. T., & Nghiem, T. T. (2021). Factors affecting successful quality assurance implementation in Vietnamese higher education: A qualitative study. Qualitative Report, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4564.
59. Nsanzumuhire, S. U., & Groot, W. (2020). Context perspective on University-Industry Collaboration processes: A systematic review of literature. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120861.
60. Pedro, N. S., & Kumar, S. (2020). Institutional Support for Online Teaching in Quality Assurance Frameworks. Online Learning, 24(3), 50–66.
61. Poliakova, H. A. (2018). Conceptual Foundations and Technology of The Formation of The Internal Quality Assurance System in The Higher Education Institution. Adaptive Management: Theory and Practice. Series Pedagogics, 5(9), Article 9. https://amtp.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/73.
62. Rahhali, M., Oughdir, L., & Jedidi, Y. (2021). E-Learning Recommendation System for Big Data Based on Cloud Computing. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 16(21). https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i21.25191.
63. Rella, A., Rubino, M., Raimo, N., & Vitolla, F. (2024). Does the digitalization of municipalities affect the efficiency of universities? An Italian case study using DEA and Malmquist index approaches. Technology in Society, 77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102506.
64. Rodriguez-Salvador, M., & Castillo-Valdez, P. F. (2023). Promoting Collaborative Learning in Students Soon to Graduate through a Teaching–Learning Model. Education Sciences, 13(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13100995.
65. Rohman, F., Noermijati, N., Mugiono, M., & Soelton, M. (2023). The role of quality assurance in improving the distribution of organizational performance. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2022.10.003.
66. Romanowski, M. H. (2022). The idolatry of accreditation in higher education: enhancing our understanding. Quality in Higher Education, 28(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2021.1948460.
67. Rosak-Szyrocka, J. (2024). The Era of Digitalization in Education where do Universities 4.0 Go? Management Systems in Production Engineering, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.2478/mspe-2024-0006.
68. Rosienkiewicz, M., Helman, J., Cholewa, M., Molasy, M., Górecka, A., Kohen-Vacs, D., Winokur, M., Amador Nelke, S., Levi, A., Gómez-González, J. F., Bourgain, M., Sagar, A., Berselli, G., & Benis, A. (2024). Enhancing Technology-Focused Entrepreneurship in Higher Education Institutions Ecosystem: Implementing Innovation Models in International Projects. Education Sciences, 14(7), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070797.
69. Ruben, B. D., De Lisi, R., & Gigliotti, R. A. (2023). A Guide for Leaders In Higher Education: Concepts, Competencies, and Tools. In A Guide for Leaders in Higher Education: Concepts, Competencies, and Tools. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003442769.
70. Rybinski, K. (2022). Assessing how QAA accreditation reflects student experience. Higher Education Research and Development, 41(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.1872058.
71. Saroyan, A., & Frenay, M. (2023). Building Teaching Capacities in Higher Education: A Comprehensive International Model. In Building Teaching Capacities in Higher Education: A Comprehensive International Model. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003443346.
72. Sayah, H., & Khaleel, A. (2022). The Application of Accreditation Standards Institutional Iraqi in Iraqi Universities Using Deming Cycle (Pdsa)" an Applied Study in The Colleges of Sumer University -Iraq". Proceedings on Engineering Sciences, 4. https://doi.org/10.24874/PES04.01.004.
73. Schofer, E., Ramirez, F. O., & Meyer, J. W. (2021). The Societal Consequences of Higher Education. Sociology of Education, 94(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/0038040720942912.
74. Şendur Atabek, G. (2023). Türkiye’de İletişim Eğitimi Alanında Akreditasyon Süreci. Akdeniz Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Dergisi, 42. https://doi.org/10.31123/akil.1322584.
75. Sharvashidze, G., Grdzelidze, I., Sikharulidze, D., & Gabrichidze, T. (2023). Data-driven analysis for evidence-based decision making at universities: benchmarking, software tools and weighted indicators in quality assurance–analytical framework of Tbilisi State University. Quality in Higher Education, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2022.2122107.
76. Spowart, L., & Turner, R. (2022). Institutional Accreditation and the Professionalisation of Teaching in the HE Sector. In Higher Education - New Approaches to Accreditation, Digitalization, and Globalization in the Age of Covid. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99805.
77. Stukalo, N., & Lytvyn, M. (2021). Towards sustainable development through higher education quality assurance. Education Sciences, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11110664.
78. Suparno, Sri Pudjiarti, E., & Joyo Supeno, B. (2023). Collaborative Synergy: Leveraging Competitive Advantage in University-Industry Innovation. Interciencia. https://doi.org/10.59671/bfsog.
79. Suresh Kumar, P. M. (2017). Academic Audit and Quality Assurance in Higher Education. International Journal of Management, Technology, and Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.47992/ijmts.2581.6012.0025.
80. Taşcı, D., & Lapçın, H. T. (2023). Yükseköğretimde Kalite Güvencesi Sistemi: Kurumsal Akreditasyon Raporları Üzerinden Bir Değerlendirme. Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.17494/ogusbd.1185953.
81. Teichler, U. (2020). Higher education and the world of work: A conceptual framework. European Journal of Education, 55(1), 3–17.
82. Tien, N. H., Duc, L. D. M., Ngoc, N. M., & Hieu, V. M. (2022). Impact of Accreditation Policy on Quality Assurance Activities of Public and Private Universities in Vietnam. International Journal of Public Sector Performance Management, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1504/ijpspm.2022.10052573.
83. Tseng, F. C., Huang, M. H., & Chen, D. Z. (2020). Factors of university–industry collaboration affecting university innovation performance. Journal of Technology Transfer, 45(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-018-9656-6.
84. Vivek, C. M., & Ramkumar, P. (2021). Evaluation of course outcome attainment of engineering course with traditional, blended and flipped classroom approaches. Education and Information Technologies, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10353-7.
85. Vykydal, D., Folta, M., & Nenadál, J. (2020). A study of quality assessment in higher education within the context of sustainable development: A case study from Czech Republic. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114769.
86. Wong, W. H., & Chapman, E. (2023). Student satisfaction and interaction in higher education. Higher Education, 85(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-022-00874-0.
87. Yıldırım, Z., & Çatı, K. (2023). Hizmet Kalitesinin Öğrenci Memnuniyetine Olan Etkisinde Kurum İmajının Aracılık Rolü. Munzur Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.61337/tusbd.1338237.
88. Yin, L. (2024). Educational Administration in Chinese Universities in the Context of Globalization. Frontiers in Economics and Management, 5(2), 57–62. https://doi.org/10.6981/FEM.202402_5(2).0008.
89. Zaid, A., Arqawi, S., Abu Mwais, R., Al Shobaki, M., & Abu-Naser, S. (2020). The Impact of Total Quality Management and Perceived Service Quality on Patient Satisfaction and Behavior Intention in Palestinian Healthcare Organizations. Technology Reports of Kansai University, 62, 221–232.
90. Zuhairi, A., Raymundo, M. R. D. R., & Mir, K. (2020). Implementing quality assurance system for open and distance learning in three Asian open universities: Philippines, Indonesia and Pakistan. Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, 15(3), 297–320. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAOUJ-05-2020-0034.