This paper presents the results of an efficiency study of Colombian public universities in 2012, conducted using the methodology of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the models CCR, BCC and SBM under output orientation. The main objective is to determine technical, pure technical, scale and mix efficiencies using data acquired from the Ministry of National Education. An analysis of the results shows the extent to which outputs of inefficient Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) could be improved and the possible cause of this inefficiency. The universities were also ranked using a Pareto efficient cross-efficiency model and a study was made of changes to overall productivity between 2011 and 2012. The results showed Tolima, Caldas and UNAD to be the best-performing universities, with Universidad del Pacífico as the worst performer. Malmquist index was applied to analyze the change in productivity from 2011 to 2012. The Universidad de La Guajira showed great improvement in technical efficiency between 2011 and 2012.

Higher Education in Colombia is experiencing a period of shortfalls in funding which has obliged Universities to seek resources from non-governmental sources, in addition to this, the Ministry of National Education (MEN) has implemented a scheme where funds are assigned year on year but this is not considered part of the budgetary base. This study seeks to create a characterisation of the model and proposes the creation of a synthetic performance index based on Multiple Factorial Analysis (MFA). This index enabled us to rank the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) according to their performance and analyse the trajectory of Colombian Universities at a given moment, which meant their evolution over time could be reviewed, moreover within the complexity of the model of indices of results in Colombian higher education, the majority of HEI have a similar, yet, to some degree, distinct structure and display scores which show that within a certain degree of homogeneity, each institution has its strengths in some of the variables considered and its weaknesses in others.

E-learning was crucial during the global lockdown. In this way, this article aims to propose and validate a holistic framework in which all the E-learning services are needed to ensure their effective implementation and use. To this end, an original 3S-T model, to measure E-learning success based on self-student assessment, was developed. This innovative model, which reinforces the existing theoretical framework of models, identifies a wide array of success predictors and relates them to various measures that help to reach success, including learning and academic achievements. The validation of the 3S-T model was carried out using the partial least squares structural regression equations modeling technique (PLS-SEM). In this analysis, four major constructors were identified as determinants of E-learning service performance, namely, the surrounding conditions, system characteristics, tutor’s development and student’s own performance. Although each of them is composed of several subcategories, finally, 15 indicators that estimate the fulfillment of these factors were defined and evaluated. The present study is strongly connected to the fourth goal of the Agenda established by the United Nations, which seeks Quality Education to ensure the sustainable development of countries.

The Spanish higher education system needs to adapt to the requirements of the European Higher Education Area and to this end, it is necessary for higher education institutions to improve the quality of university education, leading to an increase in competency-based learning activities aimed at developing the skills of graduates. Since university graduates face a large number of requirements when entering the labour market, they need to develop and constantly update the appropriate skills to carry out their work properly. This paper aims to address two fundamental questions. First, do engineering graduates need acquired skills in Total Quality Management (TQM) to perform their jobs successfully? Secondly, which job profile requires the highest level of Total Quality Management training and knowledge? We carried out different multivariate statistical analyses using a sample of engineering graduates who had been in the labour market for two years. The results show that knowledge of this type of management philosophy is necessary for adequate job performance. The job profile requiring the highest level of skills in TQM is described.