Abstract:
Higher education institutions are faced with an increasing number of complex
challenges including implementing and maintaining a quality management
system. In addition, the transformation of higher education brought about further
regulations, especially to private higher and further education institutions.
Managing the change in private higher and further education became complex as
institutions were required to meet the Department of Education’s registration
requirements and the HEQC and Umalusi Council’s quality audit criteria
requirements.
Hence, this study reviewed related literature which represented sources of
information, to determine the nature of PHE and FET institutions. The literature
further scanned business quality tools and the SAEM and their applicability to
private higher and further education. It was established that the TQM philosophy
and the ISO 9001: 2000 quality standard, applied in an integrated system, was
suitable for higher education. The review identified the SAEM as a suitable model
to use as a basis for an integrated quality management system.
From the literature review, the nature of PHE and FET institutions and the
requirements of the HEQC and Umalusi Council were established. A significant
finding was that PHE and FET institutions did not have an internal quality
management system in place. This revelation led to the research investigation on
finding the needs and deficiencies of FET and PHEIs. A questionnaire, using
mainly open-ended questions, was designed and administered to FET and
PHEIs for this purpose. The responses revealed that some quality practices
were in place but, overall, the quality arrangements were inadequate. The results
of the research investigation and the principles of the business quality tools were
integrated into the SAEM’s principles. This process led to the formation of an
Integrated Quality Model. This Integrated Quality Model was recommended as an
internal quality management system for FET and PHEIs
Description:
Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the
Masters Degree in Technology: Quality,
in the Department of Operations and Quality Management,
Durban University of Technology, 2009.
