Benefits and challenges of adopting classification strategies in Higher Education: IFAL case

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Abstract

Classification as a means of ensuring quality allows for the evaluation and comparison of essential indicators for development and improvement, based on the convergence of national and international standards. The Institute of Pharmacy and Food (IFAL) has developed several initiatives promoting quality management in training processes; however, these initiatives are implemented in isolation and are inconsistent across teaching departments. The objective is to identify the benefits and challenges of adopting internal classification as a new avenue for endogenous quality development. A descriptive, explanatory, non-experimental study was conducted, based on documentary analysis. Key contributions were identified regarding the main classification strategies used in higher education and their organizational impacts. Benefits identified were the contribution of these strategies to managerial autonomy and a culture of participatory, non-accreditation self-assessment, as well as a focus on institutional growth and excellence as a complementary avenue for self-regulation, with an emphasis on cooperation, not competition. The necessary feedback and sharing of best practices strengthen the commitment to academic excellence and contribute to improved positioning in global rankings. The advantages of designing an institutional strategy to classify teaching departments as a driver of change for endogenous quality improvement at IFAL were demonstrated. The main challenges identified were the differences between departments and the large number and diversity of existing indicators.