PENERAPAN MANAJEMEN MUTU TERPADU (TQM) DALAM PENGELOLAAN PROGRAM STUDI DI UNIVERSITAS SWASTA DI KALIMANTAN TIMUR

Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) in East Kalimantan face a number of serious challenges that threaten the sustainability and quality of higher education in the region. The decline in the number of new students, weak competitiveness, and limited human resources are the main factors affecting the existence of PHEIs. In addition, financial problems due to dependence on tuition fees as the main source of income and low accreditation quality have worsened the situation. The closure of several PHEIs in 2024 reflects the impact of declining student enrollment and the inability of institutions to adapt to changing times. Nevertheless, some PHEIs, such as Muhammadiyah University of East Kalimantan (UMKT), have successfully demonstrated adaptation through modern management and the development of adaptive strategies. The GratisPol Program launched by the Provincial Government of East Kalimantan shows a positive step to expand access to higher education in the region, although it still faces infrastructure and institutional capacity challenges. On the other hand, digital transformation and partnerships with industry have become urgent needs for PHEIs to enhance competitiveness and curriculum relevance. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach with in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis to identify the problems faced by PHEIs and propose strategic solutions. The findings reveal that most PHEIs in East Kalimantan are experiencing a significant decline in student enrollment, financial instability, and low academic quality. Some PHEIs manage to survive through digitalization and more professional management. These findings highlight the need to strengthen the higher education management system in the private sector, improve human resource quality, and foster inter-institutional collaboration to enhance the competitiveness of PHEIs in facing globalization and increasingly intense competition.