Accreditation Governance, Quality Culture and Higher Education Quality Assurance: A Malaysia–Indonesia Comparative Study

Abstract

This study examines how accreditation governance and quality culture shape the effectiveness of higher education quality assurance through a comparative analysis of Malaysia and Indonesia, with particular reference to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT). A mixed-methods framework is adopted, integrating document analysis, questionnaire evidence and stakeholder interviews to compare formal accreditation arrangements with institutional experience. The analysis focuses on three interrelated dimensions: the quality of accreditation governance, the institutionalisation of quality culture, and the effectiveness of quality assurance. The comparative synthesis indicates that clear standards, transparent procedures, competent evaluation, stakeholder participation, evidence-based decision making and systematic follow-up are central to effective quality assurance. The study further shows that accreditation is most productive when it moves beyond regulatory compliance and becomes embedded in everyday institutional practices through leadership commitment, staff ownership, student participation, data use and continuous improvement. Differences between the Malaysian and Indonesian systems highlight the importance of contextual adaptation rather than direct policy transfer. The study proposes an integrated governance–quality culture framework for strengthening quality assurance in both countries.