Strategy to Improve Quality of Higher Education Institution Based on AUN-QA Standard

Purpose – The objectives of this research are (1) to describe and analyze the gap between Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) academic and management resource and ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) standard; (2) to describe and analyze the strategy of quality improvement of Universitas Negeri Semarang based on AUN-QA Criteria. Methodology – This research is conducted with qualitative approach combine with statistical analysis. The respondent in this paper is management positions at UNNES. Data were collected by interview, observation, documents study and questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with interactive analysis model and descriptive statistical analysis. Findings – The results revealed that the academic and management resources at Semarang State University are good and potential to become a world class university. Quality culture in the implementation of tridharma (education, research and community service) that developed at Semarang State University has been oriented to higher education continuous quality improvement. Therefore, several strategies for improving the quality of higher education that must be implemented in order to achieve AUN-QA certification are: (1) changing mindset and work culture towards international standard, (2) re-structuring of human resource management through education and training, (3) re-structuring of university governance system, (4) strengthening regional and international networking, and (5) strengthening internal controls mechanism. Significance – These findings can contribute to universities that are preparing to become a world class university to develop a holistic quality assurance system by using the AUN-QA framework reference