ASSURING THE QUALITY OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM IN CIVIL ENGINEERING AT UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING TO THE TQM APPROACH: THEORETICAL ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTATION IN THE MEKONG DELTA REGION

Abstract

Civil Engineering training programs at universities in the Mekong Delta region play a critical role in supplying qualified human resources for regional socio-economic development; however, their training quality has not yet fully met practical and labor market requirements. This study examines the theoretical foundations and explores the challenges associated with implementing Total Quality Management as a framework for assuring the quality of Civil Engineering training programs in higher education institutions in the Mekong Delta region. Employing a qualitative approach, the study integrates a systematic review of Total Quality Management related literature with an analysis of self-assessment reports from selected universities offering Civil Engineering training programs in the region. The findings demonstrate that Total Quality Management constitutes a suitable and viable approach to quality assurance in higher education, particularly through its learner-centered orientation and continuous improvement mechanism based on the PDCA cycle. Furthermore, the study identifies three major constraints affecting effective implementation, namely inadequate facilities and training equipment, a shortage of highly qualified faculty members and industry experts, and curricula that remain insufficiently flexible and slow to respond to technological advancements and labor market demands. On this basis, the study proposes strategic directions for enhancing the quality of Civil Engineering training programs in accordance with the Total Quality Management approach, thereby providing a theoretical and practical reference for higher education institutions in planning and implementing sustainable quality assurance practices in the Mekong Delta region.