Abstract
This chapter focuses on the fundamental question: What is the strategic importance of quality assurance (QA) for higher education institutions (HEIs)? Divided into four main segments, the chapter begins by defining QA within the context of a continuum, ranging from entirely voluntarily QA—as a part of the HEI internal standard procedures—to more ‘prescriptive' models, as mandated by ranking and accreditation bodies. Secondly, the chapter engages in identifying specific strategic functions of QA in light of two inherent objectives of HEIs: competitiveness and sustainable impact. Next, the chapter showcases the role of QA played in advancing the American University in Cairo (AUC) School of Business to the renowned triple-crown accreditation status (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), while highlighting both challenges encountered and implementable solutions. Last of all, the chapter discusses potential future changes to QA, given the ‘new normal' of the higher education landscape.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Responsible Citizenship: The knowledge of one’s role, rights, and obligations in his/her community and the ability to introduce favorable changes.
Quality Assurance: The processes by which a higher education institution aligns all aspects of its operations with its strategic plan while facilitating appropriate and timely corrective actions.
Triple Crown Accreditation: An accreditation status given to schools of business which hold all three international accreditations: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation, and the Association of MBAs (AMBA) accreditation.
Institutional Culture: The collective values, beliefs, aspirations, and behavioral norms shared by constituents of an entity or an organization.
Global Awareness: The appreciation of cultural, economic, business, and political differences among the various geographical locations.
Academic Accreditation: The process of determining the extent to which a higher education institution meets a defined set of established quality standards.
Career Readiness: The degree to which a student’s technical knowledge, skills, and character matches the requirements of the job market.
Business Education: A tertiary education field concerned with the study of the financial and non-financial aspects of business enterprises, industries, and markets.