QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL IN LEBANESE HIGHER EDUCATION

: Playing the Quality Game

Abstract

The educational system in Lebanon is widely regarded as one of the most esteemed within the Arab region. One common issue that many graduates face is the limited recognition of their degrees outside of the local context, which is primarily due to accreditation issues with their respective educational institutions. The absence of a centralised national accreditation system in Lebanon necessitates that individual universities pursue accreditation from their chosen private institutions. The prevailing viewpoint among employers and higher educational institutions outside of Lebanon is that the absence of a national accreditation programme in the country makes it challenging to ensure its universities' quality processes and outcomes. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the existing state of quality assurance in Lebanese higher education institutions in response to the aforementioned issue. The research was conducted under the guidance of two primary theoretical frameworks, namely the Total Quality Management (TQM) theory and the theory of Continuous Improvement. A series of research questions were formulated, serving as the foundation for the implementation of qualitative research. The research objective and research inquiries were formulated with an exploratory nature, justifying the use of the qualitative research approach. Consequently, interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 participants, selected from a pool of 34 universities in Lebanon. The sample of 25 participants in this study did not serve as representatives of their schools but rather as a collective representation of the broader higher education system in Lebanon. Thus, they constituted a singular case study. The findings substantiated that the lack of a centralised accreditation system for higher education institutions in Lebanon has compelled individual universities, predominantly privately owned, to seek accreditation from external entities beyond the nation's borders. In this endeavour, universities have predominantly opted for multiple accreditation agencies to enhance their academic reputation for promotional objectives. The study asserts that universities employ internal quality assurance processes that are deemed more effective in achieving quality objectives compared to the external accreditations they employ. Upon reflection on total quality management (TQM) and continuous improvement theory (CIT), it has been determined through the study's findings that the accreditation system, when employed appropriately, serves as a more summative approach, ensuring total quality. This is particularly evident when a national accreditation system is in place, promoting uniformity. In contrast, the universities' internal quality processes are characterised by their continuous nature and strong connection to the CIT (Continuous Improvement and Training) model.

Date of Award	22 May 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	John Brennan (Supervisor) & Dan Davies (Supervisor)