1. Introduction

Quality improvement in the Postgraduate Program is becoming increasingly important with increasing competition in this era of liberalization. The great trust given by the community through the number of students that has increased in the last 2 years, must be balanced by increased responsibility. The Unsrat Postgraduate Program higher education institution provides quality education to its students. This is in line with the new paradigm of the arrangement of the higher education system, which has been applied to the Program Planning and Teaching System (SP4) since 1997. Universities must provide education that refers to sustainable quality. For this, a management pattern is needed. based on autonomy, but accompanied by accountability adequate. This can only be achieved if a university carries out self evaluation regularly before being evaluated by a third party (accreditation). Regular evaluation in the form of "internal audit'' which is continued with ''management system review'' ensure that the Sam Ratulangi University Postgraduate Program can continuously improve its quality, in anticipating increasingly tight competition for its graduates in pursuing a career in the world of work.

In order to implement continuous (sustainable) quality improvement, the "Unsrat Postgraduate Program Quality Assurance System" refers to the Quality Assurance System in accordance with PP No. 19 of 2005 and Sam Ratulangi University through the Unsrat Internal Quality Assurance Unit, by selecting the model Total Quality Management (TQM).

TQM is the right approach. TQM is an activity of thought (attitude, ideas) and practical activities (methods, procedures, techniques) that encourage continuous improvement. As an approach, TQM seeks to shift the institutional emphasis permanently and ''shorter expediency'' to long-term quality improvement. Continuous innovation, improvement and change need to be emphasized. In addition, the work units that implement it are involved in the continuous quality improvement cycle.

The implementation of TQM in the Unsrat Postgraduate Program, is a higher education institution that requires a ''cultural change''. This cultural change is one of the inhibiting factors that is quite difficult and quite time consuming. Quality culture includes the attitude and work methods of staff in addition to the management and leadership systems. Strategic planning is a fairly good vehicle for overcoming these cultural barriers.

The strategic planning process greatly assists staff in understanding the mission of their college and bridges communication gaps. Staff know where their college is headed and what it will be in the future.

 

2. Designing a Quality Management System

The existence of a quality management system in the Postgraduate Program of Sam Ratulangi University Manado, ensures the implementation of quality in a sustainable manner. In determining TQM, the Unsrat Postgraduate Program prepares a quality system in the form of a quality manual (Quality Manual), in writing as a reference for everyone involved in achieving the established quality performance standards. The implementation of the quality management system is audited periodically in order to obtain input for management review to improve the system itself.

Quality system planning is a series of important steps, namely:

- determine what to do

- seek and determine the methods and procedures necessary to ensure quality

- document what is done (written guidelines, methods, procedures)

- carry out activities according to what has been agreed in writing

- prepare evidence of what was done (allowing this information to be used by other parties).

 

3. Quality System

A quality (assurance) system in the field of education at Unsrat's Postgraduate Program, generally contains the following elements:

a. Strategic Plan

The strategic plan provides the life, mission and objectives of a university (Unsrat) in the long term and provides direction for the implementation of all operational programs that are prepared year after year. The strategic plan identifies the target market, positioning and culture desired in producing products (graduates) to meet the market. This Renstra is at the University level, namely Sam Ratulangi University, then its implementation is carried out and its activities are described in the Unsrat Postgraduate Program.

Strategic planning is very important for achieving service quality because only planning can provide a perspective on future competitive conditions.

b. Quality Policy

Quality policy is a general reference for major programs that should be designed to anticipate the needs and quality requirements of the community. This policy is a requirement to the community about the commitment of the university (Postgraduate Program) to satisfy the expectations of both internal and external customers.

The quality policy of the Unsrat Postgraduate Program is documented, communicated to all staff (academic and non-academic) so that they understand and then provide commitment to its implementation.

c. Management Responsibilities

This element of the Unsrat Postgraduate Program places the role and responsibility of top management, middle management in the quality system. Also appointed senior team members who lead the implementation of the quality improvement program.

d. Quality Organization

The scope of duties, authority and responsibility of the steering group to implement the quality system is determined through the group/team, by carrying out its functions as follows:

- leads to initial steps for quality improvement

- managing quality culture change

- support and control the work unit activities in the initial steps

- monitor the progress of quality improvement programs.

The team's function in implementing programs and solving problems is the focus of the initial steps of quality improvement. Support, leadership and resources as well as team training are needed to make this initial movement a success.

e. Marketing and Publication

Unsrat Postgraduate Program as an educational institution, provides clear information about the study programs offered in full. This information is well documented and easily obtained marketing materials (sales kits) such as flyers, leaflets, brochures, advertisements and so on, are always made clearly and precisely and regularly updated.

f. Entrance Selection

Entrance selection is a very important stage in the education process, although there is no supporting data, the influence of the quality of raw materials (prospective students) on the quality of graduates is very large.

The admission selection procedure to the Unsrat Postgraduate Program is well documented and reviewed regularly. Documented matters include selection guidelines, original application letters (including attachments), interview results, and name lists.

g. Curriculum Design

The Curriculum Design includes the aims and objectives of each study program and its specifications in detail, documented in each study program, and the study procedures for opening/establishing programs are also documented.

h. Implementation of Curriculum

Curriculum implementation is also an important stage in the educational process. Teaching methods are established and explained in the procedures followed in implementing each aspect of the study program.

i. Learning Management

The process implemented in the framework of program and curriculum management is specified, including the organizer for the work team. Roles in the team, authority and responsibility need to be explained well. External audit exposure is good evidence if available to provide an overview of the quality of learning management in the Unsrat Postgraduate Program.

j. Staff Recruitment, Training and Development

The study program staff with their duties are taken from each faculty (S1) according to the knowledge in each study program. The implementation of staff selection and recruitment procedures, work performance measurement, innovation improvement and career development policies are carried out jointly at the university, faculty and Unsrat Postgraduate Program levels.

k. Monitoring and Evaluation

The feedback cycle is vital in its role to assess and ensure the quality of education. The quality system in this regard documents the evaluation mechanisms used by the institution to monitor the results achieved by individuals and the success of the programs it implements.

l. Administration Settings

Unsrat Postgraduate Program, documents important administrative procedures including student attendance lists, student records, examination entries and results schedules and financial systems.

m. Agency Management Review

Unsrat Postgraduate Program has evaluated the overall performance (total performance). This activity is carried out by external examiners, also conducting their own audits by involving external parties.

 

> Appendix 1