Abstract

Institutional diversity is one of the most debated topics of policy and research in higher education. These debates emphasize an institution’s diversity profile and its capacity to address diverse needs and the demands of society, which are associated with the development and expansion of higher education. Quality enhancement cells at higher education institutions are working efficiently toward ensuring and enhancing quality. Two major mechanisms include self-assessment and institutional performance evaluations, student demographics, faculty and programme profiles, institutional missions and internal organization encompass internal institutional diversity. This study aimed at exploring institutional diversity and developing a viable model for bridging the gap between quality assessment and quality enhancement. Semi-structured interviews from students, faculty and administrators of public sector universities in Islamabad revealed the magnitude of diversity. The suggested model recommends mutuality, inclusivity, multiplicity, reciprocity and flexibility by quality assurance processes to address internal institutional diversity in order to reach the ultimate target of quality enhancement.