Student Engagement in Quality Assurance in University Education: The Formation of Students’ Influence on Higher Education

Abstract

  In recent years, the diversification of opportunities and places to receive university education has accelerated the importance of quality improvement and quality assurance in university education. Student engagement has become an important perspective for understanding the various shifts required for institutions and the content and framework of university education.

  In Sweden, students have been considered as a partner in the policy management of universities since the university education reforms of the 1970s. Students have been involved in higher education policy at a national and institutional level as key actors with the right of resolution. Students who are selected from the student union participate in committees and meetings as representatives. Student engagement at Swedish universities has been established based on efforts from the government, universities, faculty members and students. Student engagement in the quality assurance of university education is vital and already at an advanced stage, as student engagement has been ensured by law and students have the right to be involved in the decision-making processes of university management. However, students now have the right to choose if they will participate in the student union, something that was compulsory until 2010. This has led to a decline in student affiliation, with just 42% of students now participating in the student union. As a result, the decreased student influence on universities has become a concern (UKÄ 2017).

  This article aims to analyse the system with respect to student engagement in quality assurance in university education in Sweden and suggest how to promote student engagement in Japan. First, the author examines how the higher education law ensures that student engagement is a right of students, including student engagement in university education quality assurance. Based on the legal infrastructure regarding student engagement, the author considers the relevance of the student union, which functions as the representative of students and is responsible for direct and indirect forms of student engagement in university administration and education, to quality assurance. It then analyses how Sweden, where the number of students affiliated to student unions is declining, is attempting to enhance student engagement and improve students’ influence on universities. Finally, the study suggests approaches for student engagement in the quality assurance of university education in Japan.

  In Sweden, student engagement in institutional quality assurance is ensured as a right by the higher education law and student union regulations. Each university clarifies students’ role and position in quality assurance based on the law. Students are considered as an important partner in the improvement of university education and have the right to be involved in decision-making processes regarding university management, finance and education. Universities have to establish opportunities to engage students in issues ranging from the coordination of education programmes to management policy.

  Student unions have a role in activities related to students’ education and welfare. For example, they function as part of student services, supporting students’ health and welfare, preventing any kind of discrimination, making proposals about grades and examinations and participating in producing annual reports. Students involved in student union activity are not only involved in social participation or work experience but also function as co-workers who disseminate student views about the education content that is required and opportunities for improvement in education.

  The third national quality assurance framework was implemented in 2017. The new framework emphasises four points: (1) strengthening the connection with institutional quality (View PDF for the rest of the abstract.)