Quality Management

Franklin’s quality assurance system is guided by the globally recognized EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) model, adapted to the higher education context through the EFQM-Hamdan Education Model. This system supports our student-centered approach and ensures alignment with our strategic goals. Key principles include:

• Our students are at the heart of everything we do, with decisions always reflecting their needs and aspirations.
• We prioritize the needs of students, faculty, staff, and external partners, creating a harmonious balance that supports all constituents.
• We foster a culture of innovation to keep our educational offerings relevant and valuable in a rapidly changing world.
• Our commitment to sustainable research and teaching extends to benefiting not only our students but society at large.

This system allows for a holistic approach to quality management that spans the Why (vision, mission, culture), How (structures, processes, resources), and What (outcomes, evaluation, iteration). This ensures that our strategies are consistently evaluated, refined, and aligned with our mission and vision.

At Franklin, the Quality Management System is designed to address three core objectives:

1. Quality Assurance: Ensuring that Franklin’s academic and administrative processes meet the highest standards of quality, aligned with both Swiss and U.S. accrediting agencies.
2. Continuous Improvement: Using a decentralized, feedback-driven approach to monitor and improve academic programs, student services, and operational processes.
3. Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring that decision-making processes are open and accessible, with clear communication to all stakeholders about institutional performance.

This approach ensures that Franklin’s Quality Management is both rigorous and adaptable, keeping pace with changing educational needs and challenges.

Franklin takes a collaborative approach to quality assurance, engaging stakeholders at every level. Our unique culture thrives in a close-knit, non-hierarchical community where leadership, faculty, staff, and students are actively involved in decision-making processes. This inclusive environment ensures that Franklin remains agile, transparent, and responsive to the needs of our community.

Faculty, staff, students, and external partners all contribute to the continuous evolution of our institution. Feedback is gathered through structured processes like surveys, meetings, and benchmarking activities, and is used to refine our practices.

Key aspects of our governance and leadership include:

• Board of Trustees: The Board holds fiduciary responsibility, making key decisions on the university’s strategic direction, educational programs, and financial oversight.
• President and Cabinet: The President provides overall leadership and works closely with senior administrators to implement strategic initiatives.
• Faculty Assembly: Faculty members play an essential role in governance, including providing oversight on academic programs, policies, and quality assurance processes, through 4 quality assurance committees.
• Student Government Association: students are integral to shaping the student experience, representing student interests in decisions, and promoting leadership and institutional improvement.

At Franklin, evaluation is a fundamental component of our Quality Management approach. Regular evaluations are carried out across all areas of the institution to ensure that every department and initiative aligns with our strategic goals. These evaluations are aggregated and analyzed at the institutional level, ensuring alignment with the 2030 Strategic Plan and key reporting requirements for accrediting bodies, both in Switzerland and the U.S. Decisions made from these evaluations lead to clear actions, whether continuing current practices or introducing new strategies.

The evaluation process is cyclical, with regular reports and reviews that help Franklin remain responsive to both internal and external challenges. The President’s Cabinet is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the evaluation and iteration process.  Key Evaluation Elements Include:

• Accreditation and Compliance: Regular self-assessments and external reviews for both Swiss and U.S. accreditations.
• Strategic Planning Reviews: Continuous monitoring and updating of the 2030 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with university priorities.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Gathering insights through alumni surveys, faculty committees, student government assemblies, and other avenues.
• Financial Audits: Annual external audits to ensure compliance with financial regulations.

Franklin's commitment to Quality Management extends beyond internal processes. We invite feedback from a wide array of voices to ensure that Franklin remains responsive to the needs of the global higher education landscape and prepares our students for the challenges of tomorrow.

Through our Strategic Plan Dashboard, annual surveys, and alumni engagement, we continuously measure our success and adapt our practices to ensure that we meet the evolving needs of our students and the global society.