Public Policies Aimed at the Quality of Service in Ecuadorian Heis. Study Unit: Pontificia Universidad Católica Del Ecuador Sede Manabí

Abstract

The planning of a society's actions begins with the organization of the State, identifying the needs of the different interest groups through public policies. These policies, defined as a collective learning process, seek to increase problem-solving capacity and legitimize the public agenda through democratic communication between society and government. In education, public policies are oriented towards fair, equitable, and quality access for students. Various studies highlight that these policies must be coherent with the social, political, economic and cultural realities of students. The Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) Manabí Campus, founded in 1996, is governed by the quality standards of the Council for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (CACES). The university has implemented a quality model with 22 elements that meet the requirements of the PUCE Academic Project and Strategic Planning. Students' perception of compliance with these policies is crucial to continuously improve the quality of the educational service. This research, with a qualitative approach and hermeneutical phenomenological method, collects the perception of PUCE Manabí students about the quality of the educational service and the fulfillment of public policies. Through interviews and focus groups with student representatives, strengths and areas for improvement in the quality of service are identified. The key to greater student satisfaction lies in improving communication, optimizing resources, and ensuring the continuous training of academic staff. This feedback is essential to adjust and perfect educational and administrative strategies, contributing to the social, economic and cultural development of the province and ensuring quality education.