The international trends that emerged in the age of knowledge, intensified as a result of internationalization and the development of new communication technologies, have markedly disseminated amongst us (a country historically characterized by State control of higher education) the era of quality. This paper examines different concepts and strategies of quality in higher education, which resulted from international experiences. Among the main concepts that of quality stands out, synonymous with isomorphism, reflecting itself in the form of standardized institutional evaluation and employability; quality, synonymous with respect for specificities; and quality, synonymous with fairness. Because of the lack of bibliography approaching the theme from a holistic point of view, this paper, rather than presenting propositions, raises issues as regards the relation of educational innovation and quality, and the unity of the concept of quality and Brazilian reality.
Quality; organizational innovation; university; institutional evaluation; higher education
