The impact of quality management in higher education (HE) in North-West Syria: A risk management approach. (English)

The impact of quality management in higher education (HE) in North-West Syria: A risk management approach.

This study investigated the quality management models adopted by two higher education institutions (HEIs) in the conflict-affected northwest of Syria (NWS) to support quality assurance. It explored a risk management approach to quality assurance as more suited to their conflict-affected context, central to which the identification of risks that threaten delivery of quality higher education. Semi-structured interviews were run with senior administrators and lecturers from the two HEIs, coupled with a review and analysis of their core policy and administration documents. Findings highlighted many risks, including financial uncertainties; context inappropriate policies, regulations and practices; curricula limitations; staff recruitment, retention and development; student enrolment etc. which should inform the development of context-appropriate risk-mitigation strategies. Other recommendations included the adoption of a more democratic framework, central to which decision-making, to increase transparency and promote levels of engagement, ownership and commitment amongst university staff as a whole, and use of third-party brokers to help connect HEIs and their faculty to colleagues and institutions within the wider international academic community to support capacity building and strengthen quality.