Abstract
The article presents a thorough analysis of the essence and the content of 14 quality management principles created by Professor E. Deming, functioning in relation to the conditions of the Kazakhstani system of higher and postgraduate education. The article investigates relevance and significance of the problem with a due regard to the influence of modern university external and internal environment. It is concluded that it is necessary to simultaneously use these interrelated principles, only after deep understanding and adaptation of their content to the specifics, organizational culture and management capabilities of each university.