Abstract

Introduction Higher education system as a dynamic, intelligent and purposeful system which faces the new challenges includes two quantitative and qualitative dimensions. Sustainable development of this system requires harmonic and balanced growth of both quantitative and qualitative dimensions’ parallel to each other. Quantitative development of Higher Education System without considering qualitative development will be associated with consequences such as; academic failure, academic affiliation, brain drain and lack of knowledge production. Material and Method This study was a descriptive survey conducted on 250 medical students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Data collection was performed using SERVQUAL questionnaire. Face and content validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using comments of university teachers, and its reliability evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient for perceptions (95%), and expectations (94%). Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results The results showed that learner's expectations in all dimensions and questions were higher than what was available. The highest and lowest mean score-negative gap, was related to empathy (-1.18) and confidence (-0.96). Moreover, no significant difference was observed in the overall mean score in gender gap. In some aspects, PhD & Nursing students had more expectations of the quality of educational services. Conclusion Existential philosophy of each organization is to provide appropriate services to the client. Therefore, it is necessary to use students' opinions as the main clients of the university. Hence, university can find its status and validity with increased quality of services.