3.1 Introduction to the concept of Quality Culture

Brief introduction to Quality Culture as a key concept in European HE.

The Leadership of higher education institutions plays an important role in the strategic direction of Quality Assurance and is instrumental in creating the conditions for a ‘Quality First’ organisation with a true Quality Culture.  In order to fulfil this role,  Leaders need to have a good understanding of what leadership means in a globalised world – that it includes creating an overall attitude throughout the institution of striving for continuous improvements on all levels; that ‘quality’ comes from those who create education (i.e. teaching staff) as well as all stakeholders involved in it (other staff, students, external stakeholders).

Key points are:

  • Presented as an ideal internal QA system, emphasizing Quality Improvement above Quality Control
  • Implementation may require changes in attitude and behaviour within both leadership and staff of HE institutions
  • Mainly (initially)  promoted by the European University Association (EUA)
  • Clear parallel with the concept of Total Quality Management

The key facts about the concept of Quality Culture is explained in 7 minutes video below.

And your can view/download also presentation which sumarises the topic.

Reading:

Creating a quality culture in higher education: https://peregrineglobal.com/quality-culture/ (15 min reading)

Exercise:

Define what QC for you and how in your perspective it compares with (i.e. differs and relates to) the QA approach in your HEI (15 minutes of work)

Further reading: Creating a quality culture in higher education: https://peregrineglobal.com/quality-culture/ (15 minutes reading)