The CIQG International Quality Principles: Toward a Shared Understanding of Quality. CIQG Publication Series
Author: Uvalic-Trumbic, Stamenka
Date: 2016-00-00
Type: Collected Works - General
Subjects: Higher Education,Academic Standards,International Cooperation,Educational Quality,Guidelines,Advisory Committees,Essays,Educational Principles,College Faculty,College Students,Social Influences,Government Role,Accountability,Quality Assurance,Educational Change

The idea of developing International Quality Principles emerged from a dialogue and debate among colleagues from many countries at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) International Quality Group (CIQG) 2014 Annual Meeting. The discussion focused on whether a single set of international standards for academic quality in higher education was either desirable or feasible or, alternatively, whether other approaches to international quality were more appropriate. Following the meeting, the CIQG Advisory Council, a group of 19 colleagues from ten countries representing all continents that provides guidance to CIQG, pursued this conversation and eventually decided that, rather than a single set of standards, it would be more effective to develop a set of commonly accepted international quality principles. A first draft prepared in January 2015 was refined through a broad consultative process among the Advisory Council members. CIQG released a final version in May 2015 with the hope that these seven succinct principles would be a useful point of reference for many around the world who are looking for clear and straightforward holistic statements of the elements of quality. The primary purpose of the principles is to develop a common understanding of quality by creating a framework that can be used at national, regional and international levels. The principles are addressed to various audiences: academics, students, employers, government, quality assurance and accreditation organizations and the public at large. They also highlight issues of quality and accountability, especially that our understanding of quality must respond to changes in higher education. Their intent is to inspire an ongoing quest for effectiveness and excellence. To further the quality dialogue around the principles, CIQG has commissioned essays on each of the seven principles from authors in different parts of the world. This volume presents the principles and the accompanying essays. The papers seek to extend the internationally shared understanding of quality embodied in the principles by an analysis of the meaning and challenges associated with each as well as identification of issues raised by their implementation. The following principles and essays are included: (1) Principle 1: Quality and Higher Education Providers (Angela Yung-chi Hou); (2) Principle 2: Quality and Students (Peter J. Wells); (3) Principle 3: Quality and Society (Fabrice Hénard); (4) Principle 4: Quality and Government (Badr Aboul-Ela); (5) Principle 5: Quality and Accountability (Jamil Salmi); (6) Principle 6: Quality and Quality Assurance Bodies (Richard Lewis); and (7) Principle 7: Quality and Change (Sir John Daniel). [Individual essays contain references.]