Developing quality culture in higher education in Taiwan: the changes within quality assurance mechanisms

This paper presents an analysis of quality culture (QC) development in Taiwan which has recently undergone major reforms of quality assurance (QA) policies. The implementation of internal quality assurance (IQA) initiatives has been an indispensable condition to form a QC in higher education which contributes to a fundamental and comprehensive evolution of Taiwanese higher education. To explore the government's policy strategies and transformation of QA approaches, this paper interviews policymakers, QA experts and academics. This paper identifies common features and distinct characteristics of QC in Taiwan's higher education, and its relations to QA mechanisms. These perspectives offer a different way of conceptualising QC in QA policies. Furthermore, QC development has not only served the purpose of enhancing quality in higher education but has also acted as a driver for QA and higher education changes.

Automated summary

This paper analyzes the development of quality culture in Taiwan's higher education, which has recently undergone major reforms in quality assurance policies. The implementation of internal quality assurance initiatives is essential for forming a quality culture that fundamentally and comprehensively impacts Taiwanese higher education. Through interviews with policymakers, QA experts, and academics, this paper explores government policy strategies and changes in QA approaches, identifies common features and distinct characteristics of QC in Taiwanese higher education, and examines its relation to QA mechanisms. These perspectives offer a different understanding of QC in QA policies. Furthermore, QC development not only enhances quality in higher education but also drives QA and higher education changes.