Quality management systems and quality in universities in Kenya

This research sought to analyze Quality Management Systems and quality in Universities in \nKenya. \nIn this study a descriptive survey design was used. According to Owlia and Aspinwall (1996), \ndescriptive research portrays an accurate profile of persons, transactions/events, or situations. \nSurveys allow the collection of large amount of data from a sizable population in a highly economical \nway. It allows one to collect quantitative data which can be analysed quantitatively using \ndescriptive and inferential statistics. \nThe data collected and analyzed was gathered from chartered universities. The total sample was \n21 respondents which represented 53.85% of the population of 39 chartered universities. These \nrespondents included the Directors of quality assurance, the administration staff (DVC, Registrars, \nmanagement representatives) and lecturers. The data is presented by use of descriptive data \nanalysis tools which include tables, graphs, charts as well as other percentage scores. The questionnaires \nwere analyzed in order to establish the relationship between the independent variables \nand the dependent variables \nFrom the analysis 90.5% of the respondents indicated they had a quality management system \nwhereas 9.5% of the respondents claimed they lacked a quality management system this was a \nclear indication that most universities have put up quality control mechanisms. \nThe regression model revealed a positive relationship between various elements of QMS and \nranking of selected universities. For instance, a unit increase in quality policy would result to \n1.757 times increase in the quality ranking. A unit increase in the suitability of the QMS would \nresult to 1.64 times increase in the quality ranking of the universities. \nFrom the model, it is also clear that, a unit increase in the curriculum implementation policies \nwould result to 0.507 times increase in the quality ranking of the universities while a unit increase \nin the quality management audit would result to a 0.282 times increase in the quality ranking \nof the universities.