ABSTRACT
The instrumental approach begins by stating the purpose of the higher education institution and ensuring that this is consistent with the nation's goals. Once the 'fitness of purpose' has been established the quality management system will be assessed to see if it can achieve this purpose, that is, whether there is 'fitness for purpose'. A very different approach to assessing quality is to subject the institution and the education programmes within it to a formal external accreditation process. This approach is favoured in the United States of America. Academics also fear intrusion into their work by employers and students as these are allowed to play a more important role in higher education. The leaders have to convince them that this is not inconsistent with academic freedom and that it is inevitable, in any case, with the need for public accountability.
