Developing an internal quality assurance model: The case of two Philippine private universities
Background: The implementation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Quality Assurance Framework (AQAF) subsequently brought about directives from the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines to establish internal quality assurance (IQA) systems in higher education institutions (HEIs). With this, the ten AQAF principles on IQA are expected to guide the IQA systems of HEIs.
Purpose: Examine the institutional profile of the participating Lasallian institutions and the extent to which they have implemented the AQAF IQA principles; identify the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of their IQA systems; and, drawing from their best practices, propose an IQA model.
Participants: The participants for the survey and interviews were administrators from two Lasallian HEIs that were selected based on a set of criteria.
Research design: The study used a mixed methods approach particularly the multi-case study methodology and descriptive statistics.
Data collection and analysis: Desk research, a quantitative survey, and qualitative interviews were done to collect data. The IQA systems of the participating institutions were studied using the AQAF IQA principles as the paradigm. SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis was also done.
Findings: Findings showed that the participating institutions have established IQA systems influenced by their operational and organizational culture, and they have advanced levels of implementation of the ten AQAF principles. The SWOT analysis further showed that their autonomy, top management support and leadership, stakeholder participation and involvement, functional IQA structures and processes, and IQA instruments such as monitoring and evaluation tools, all play important roles in their IQA systems implementation. From the findings, an IQA model for Lasallian HEIs was formulated.
Conclusions and recommendation: Results of the study can be used to inform the status of the IQA systems of the participating institutions, other Lasallian HEIs, and even other HEIs in the country. These can serve as useful inputs for another round of planning and implementation that should involve going back to the Lasallian guiding principles as foundation and going back to the institution’s mission and vision.
Authors: Lucila R. Calairo
Keywords: ASEAN quality assurance framework, quality assurance, quality development, quality assurance model, higher education