Quality in Catholic higher education in México: A case study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31391/WIGF8957Keywords:
quality in Catholic higher education, private university management, perceptions of educational quality, Mexican Catholic universities, integration of economy-humanism in educationAbstract
The main objective of this article is to describe the meaning and significance that the actors of a private Catholic university in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara, Mexico, have constructed regarding the concept of educational quality. To achieve this, a three-year qualitative study was conducted using a case study approach. The methodology included semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and a focus group with internal participants from the institution. This approach made it possible to capture the interpretive richness and the plurality of perspectives surrounding the concept of educational quality. The findings reveal that, in this Catholic university, the notion of quality is dynamic and multifaceted, encompassing both economic and humanistic perspectives. It is evident that the practical interpretation of quality by institutional actors often goes beyond the formally established philosophical ideals, resulting in the adaptation of policies and practices to simultaneously meet labor market demands and fulfill the university’s social mission. In conclusion, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how Catholic universities negotiate, reinterpret, and redefine the concept of educational quality in a context of increasing competition within higher education.
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