Implementing TQM Concepts In Managing Quality In Higher Education

This article is about managing quality in higher education using the concepts of Total Quality Management (TQM) which is the art of managing the whole to achieve excellence. There is role of each and every body in managing quality in higher education like students, faculty, Management, society, industry, regulatory bodies etc. An institute cannot run by infrastructure alone. It is essential to manage the whole. Students are future citizens .The youth of today is the future of nation. So it is very essential to nurture this youth properly which is possible through total quality management in higher education. Quality Management in higher education reinforces the student’s competitive capability which is the major engine of nation’s growth. Managing quality in providing education can transform the society. It requires commitment from top management, application of scientific knowledge and involvement of all in one team which are the fundamental characteristics of Total quality management.

1.    Introduction: A technocrat is a person who is well versed in different skills. A professional is a disciplined person, commited to carry out obligations with uncompromising integrity, zeal and optimum competence. The word optimum is important. His ethics and morals are transparent. He is instrumental in promoting and upgrading his area of practice. He is sensitive and responsive to his clients. He plays the role of advisor, information provider and problem solver. His attitude should be so to resolve problems with friendly disposition. A professional is a tough minded optimist with social, physical and psychological balance in life. The educational institutes which cater to human resource development component of various sectors as industries, agriculture and science, it is the necessity to orient themselves to excel in these sectors. Especially, the technological institutions should set an example in propagating quality consciousness, environment and encourage the team spirit among all concerned.TQM has become the need of the hour.TQM concept has found acceptance in almost all spheres of life. It stimulates a culture that empowers people and recognition of innovative thinking and prevalence of outstanding leadership.
1.    Meaning of TQM
TQM:        It stands for “Total Quality Management”.
It is a proven technique to guarantee survival in the world-class-competition. Analyze the three words we have,
Total        :    Made up of the whole.
Quality        :    Degree of excellence a product or service provides.
Management    :    Art, act or manner of handling, controlling, directing etc.
It is the application of quantitative methods and human resources to improve all the processes within an institute. Just meeting the needs of industry is not enough today. Industries today try to exceed or surpass the customer expectations. Here comes the role of quality management in higher education in providing the best professionals to the industry and citizens to the society.



Assistant Professor, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, SVITS.
2.    Total quality management provides an environment where:
1.    Fear  is eliminated
2.    All employees take pride in their work.
3.    Where they feel respected and accepted.
4.    Where they feel the part of the same team.
5.    Where they strive not only for their own interests, but for the interest of the whole organization.
This is not impossible to achieve. It requires the establishment of the following three fundamental characteristics.
1.    Commitment        :    To never ending quality improvement and
Innovation.
2.    Scientific Knowledge:    Of the proper tools and techniques for the
                    technical change
3.    Involvement        :    All in one team for the social change.

3.    Operation and implementation of TQM encompass 4 p’s namely:-
    People Involvement.
    Process/Product Innovation.
    Problem Investigation.
    Perpetual improvement.
These are also applicable in providing quality education .There is role of each and everybody in an institute to provide quality education. Innovative thinking has become the norm. There is recognition of innovative thinking and prevalence of outstanding leadership. Innovation is the driving force for survival. The problem must be given attention and not left without solving. Continuous improvement in process and services should be there.

4.    The basic attributes of TQM are:-
    Customer Focus.
    Strategic Planning and leadership.
    Continuous improvement.
    Empowerment and Team Work.

5.    The 4 C”s of TQM are:-
    Commitment
    Competence
    Communication
    Continuous Improvement.
These 4”C”s are also applicable for providing quality education .There is integration of the role of students , faculty , management ,society, industry and government bodies with institute in order to achieve continuous improvements of quality services to meet or exceed the needs and expectations of society and industry.
“The youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity”.   Benjamin Disraeli.
In shaping the youth and hence nation, technical institutes play an important role. Evaluating the acquired qualities of outgoing students should assess the quality of technical institution .As young engineers are called “nation builders” the responsibility of institution to provide quality education has increased. Hence the main agenda of TQM implementation in technical institute is nothing but quality enhancement of students.
6.    Parameters for Measuring Quality of students by industry.
Parameter    Specific skills

7.    Attributes related with developing the desired quality amongst students

8.    The attributes related to Faculty for quality management in higher education are:
1.    Teachers experience.
2.    Teachers student ratio.
3.    Teachers qualification.
4.    Student teacher relationship.
5.    Visiting guest faculty.
6.    Training programs for teachers.
7.    Specialized teachers.

9.    Conclusion: These attributes are developed through implementing the TQM concepts of 4”C”s and 4”P” s. Knowledge, Expertise and Innovation are the primary assets of an organization. These are also applicable for quality management in higher education. The prevalent 6’M’s in industry are: Men, machines materials methods money and market. For quality management in higher education, there must be a business-driven vision of decision that can help in transforming the economy which is possible following the concepts of Total Quality Management in higher education.

10.    References:
1.    The Journal of Engineering Education-October 2002.
2.    Dale Besterfield, (2007)“Total Quality Management”, Pearson Prentice Hall.
3.    The Indian Journal of Technical Education, Vol 22, No 4, October-December, 1999.