Quality in Higher Education in Turkey

Abstract

Quality in higher education derives from Total Quality Management (TQM) in business, which is a management philosophy put forward in 1900s. Pioneered by the USA and England in 1980s, the philosophy was adapted into education. Increases in student population, globalisation, technology, government reforms, and English being ‘lingua franca’ are the main reasons searching quality assurance and accreditation. The Bologna process and policy forums and conferences on accreditation and quality in higher education have put policy-makers from ministries of education, educators themselves, and university administrators from many countries under pressure to adopt, customise, and apply a system to prove their quality of education. In this chapter, to be able to compare and contrast quality education systems in higher education, practices in some countries including Turkey will be mentioned. Common problems that affect the quality of education in Turkey will be explained, and practices conducted by YOKAK and some suggestions will be presented.