Total Quality and Its Applicability in Higher Education Management: A Critical Historical Study

Abstract

Education plays a vital role in societal development by contributing through its institutions to the graduation of trained human cadres capable of working in various fields and specializations. The university is one of the most important social institutions that both influences and is influenced by its surrounding social environment. On one hand, it is a product of society, and on the other, it is instrumental in shaping its technical, professional, political, and intellectual leadership. Hence, every university has its mission, which it strives to fulfill. The mission of the university has evolved through different eras in the field of education and has actively contributed to its affirmation since the Islamic era when revelation descended upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The first verse revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was "Read..." (Iqra), a command from Allah urging the children of Adam to seek knowledge and education, as it paves the way for humanity to emerge from darkness into light. Therefore, the mission of educational institutions during the era of the Prophet (peace be upon him) differed from that of educational institutions in the Middle Ages, just as modern educational institutions differ from their predecessors. Thus, every type of society has educational institutions suited to it, aligned with its convictions and culture, which reinforce its social customs and traditions across different times. Accordingly, this study attempts to conduct a modest exploration to illuminate the path toward planning higher education free from all impuritiesthat is, the negatives that hinder its development-in light of quality standards derived from the words of Allah, the Almighty, to whom falsehood cannot approach from before or behind. For every challenge, there is an action plan that clarifies the perspectives of faculty members, enabling them to formulate a coherent vision to shape the educator in accordance with quality standards aligned with objectives. Given the importance of the study, the methodology employed is a descriptive approach based on philosophical and analytical study. Key words: Total Quality, Higher Education Managem