Quality and Quality in Higher Education: A Theoretical Discussion in Ecuadorian Higher Education System

Abstract

This paper examines the main concepts of quality assurance in higher education. We propose to conceptual approaches to quality: first one, as characteristics of objects; the second one, as standard of high performance. These two perspectives try to establish an etymological, philosophical and normative linkage. We analize the quality on three historical types of higher education institutions. Then, the specifical frame of analysis is the ecuadorian higher education system.

Keywords

• calidad en la educación superior
• aseguramiento de la calidad en la educación superior
• sistema de educación superior ecuatoriano