The University of Santo Tomas viewed from the lens of total quality management: Implications to total quality education.

Considered as a major management approach for improving organizational performance and competitive advantage, Total Quality Management (TQM) poses a challenge to dynamic institutions to adopt a systemic philosophy that places emphasis on customer needs and a commitment to a culture of excellence. Higher education institutions (HEIs) as learning organizations are expected to respond proactively to this challenge by examining closely how their educational centerpiece operates in an environment of quality. This inquiry aims to determine how the oldest university in Asia implements TQM as regards its Vision, Involvement, Continuous Improvement, Training and Education, Ownership, Reward, Yearning for Success, and Customer Focus (VICTORY-C). Moreover, it documents the best practices of the institution under study, categorized in the light of TQM principles and identifies implications for total quality education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]