Systematisation of International Quality and Accreditation of Higher Education in the World

Abstract

This PhD thesis is structured in two phases. The first phase looks to an enhancement of the current operations in the development of quality through creating a systematisation of quality of higher education in the world. The second phase theorises this systematisation using systems analysis and design methodology based on seven levels of analysis: individual; programme; department/faculty; institutional; national; regional; and the world level. This analytical approach generates theories about systems and applications.

The investigation reaches the conclusion that establishing a United Nations Organisation for Systematisation of Quality would constitute a final stage in the systematisation process of international quality and accreditation of higher education in the world. However, the proposed organisation would not be a substitute organisation for national and/or regional agencies and networks of quality but would complement them by creating systematic understanding of quality in the world. The thesis offers a practical contribution to the international improvement of higher education institutions across the globe.