QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AS A FRAME FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE AT UNIVERSITIES

The Higher Education Reform, based on Bologna Declaration, emphasizes the necessity of quality assurance at HEIs (Higher Education Institutions). At Polytechnic University of Tirana this huge reform consist in two crucial directions: ensuring a real institutional autonomy and reforming curricula and implementing quality assurance system. In this process we are based on our legislation: “Law of Higher Education in Albania”, standards of quality assurance and quality assurance guidelines designed by ministry, Council of Higher Education and Research, accreditation agency and accreditation council and as well on ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education) standards. The paper aims to analysis our effort and problems arising in implementing internal quality assurance system, role of management systems in providing environments to implement quality assurance standards at universities; how we can use the tools of quality management systems in maintaining and continually improving the quality of our study programs and diploma issued. The conclusions of this study are based on analysis of current situation at Polytechnic University of Tirana, of main principles of quality management systems merged at ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards and of quality assurance standards and guidelines requirements issued by ENQA.