Exploring the applicability of Quality 4.0 in higher education institutions

As the world is being significantly impacted by the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution, quality-related practices in higher education institutions (HEIs) are not exceptions. Quality 4.0 is the fourth generation of quality that leads to digital transformation to achieve excellence, innovation, and performance. The application of Quality 4.0 practices in higher education institutions has the potential of driving innovation through technological advances in various aspects such as collaboration, data analytics, connectivity, and scalability. Therefore, the digital transformation would be leading to transformation in education to achieve a comprehensive set of practical and significant goals through formulation and execution of quality initiatives supported by Industry 4.0 related technologies such as the artificial intelligence and Internet of things. Such an approach would contribute to the achievement of scientific goals in teaching and learning, especially after the paradigm shift witnessed in the higher education field during the pandemic of COVID-19. Thus, exploring the applicability of Quality 4.0 in HEIs is vital in the present times. In this paper, the authors identified the gap that currently exists regarding the readiness of HEIs according to Quality 4.0 aspects presented in the literature.