Need to Strengthen African Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education with Quantitative Quality Assessment Criteria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hardson Kwandayi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Assessment Criteria ◽  
Standards And Guidelines

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTING QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION ACCORDING TO THE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE IN THE EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION AREA (ESG): BEST PRACTICES

2020 ◽  
pp. 83-92
Author(s):  
Olga Anisimova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
External Quality ◽  
European Higher Education Area ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
European Higher Education

The article examines the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) and their implementation for external quality assessment of higher education. An analysis of the activities of agencies to assess the quality of education, the main forms and tools of its implementation are carried out. It is established that the ESG were adopted in 2005 by the Ministers responsible for higher education. The ESG have been constantly revised and improved, and the version adopted in 2015 is currently in force. They consist of three parts: standards and recommendations for internal quality assurance (10 items); standards and recommendations for external quality assurance (7 items); standards and recommendations for quality assurance agencies (7 items). In the framework of the Bologna Process, since 2003 it has been determined that the main responsibility for the quality of higher education services lies with the HEIs themselves, which conduct the internal quality assessment, i.e. they implement a set of measures and procedures to ensure the quality of proposed educational programs and services. Certain criteria, which are determined both by the HEI itself and by the agencies for assessing the quality of education are used. The main function of external assessment of the quality of education is to provide feedback and recommendations to the HEIs and objective and unbiased information to stakeholders. The principles, procedures and criteria for assessing the quality of education should apply to all methods of providing educational services and teaching. It should be noted that the ESG are not quality standards as such, they do not define quantitative criteria or regulate the implementation process, they are guidelines that define the main areas that need special attention to ensure quality services and create a favorable educational environment.

scholarly journals Implementation of Student-Centred Education Principles in a Master’s Study Programme: An Exploration of the Experience of Academic Staff

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanita Baranova ◽  
◽  
Baiba Kaļķe
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
European Higher Education Area ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
European Higher Education ◽  
Study Process ◽  
Common Understanding

The paradigm shift in higher education pedagogy and policy has been a subject of discussion for 30 years, during which time the emphasis has been placed on the transition to student-centred education. The implementation of this approach requires the democratisation of the study process and a shift towards performance-based outcomes, thus promoting students’ research capacities, well-being, personal growth, and quality of life. The most important document on the subject, which was developed in collaboration with the leading organisations of the Bologna Process, is the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area. This describes the common understanding of student-centred learning, teaching, and assessment. The standards and guidelines are also incorporated into the Latvian higher education quality assurance regulations. The authors of the present study are involved in the development and approbation of a new master’s study program, in which special attention is paid to the implementation of the principles of student-centred education. The central aim of the present study was to study the experience of lecturers in the implementation of the principles of student-centred education in the programme. The relevant literature and documents were surveyed and data from questionnaires (distributed to programme participants) were analysed. Using the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area and the Science, Technology Development and Innovation Guidelines 2021−2027 approved by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science, the present study sets out 10 basic principles of student-centred education. A survey was created for lecturers who are implementing the newly created master’s programme over one semester. Seventeen lecturers participated. The analysis of the questionnaire results indicated that promoting mutual respect in student−academic staff relations and students’ active engagement in the study process were considered to be the most important principles. The results also revealed that lecturers applied every student−centred principle, but it is necessary to promote a common understanding by developing a mechanism for evaluating them and to improve the competence of teachers in implementing them.

Expanding the Application of EFQM model for Institutional Accreditation of Educational Organizations

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-295
Author(s):  
Nabi Yskak
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Educational Organizations ◽  
Institutional Accreditation ◽  
Efqm Model ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
European Foundation

Relevance of this article topic consists in the necessity to find some alternative to the existing practice of using of the 2015 Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the EHEA (ESG-15) for accreditation of educational organizations in Kazakhstan. This study purpose is to develop the ways of expanding the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) use for institutional accreditation of universities. Methods: comparativ analysis, formalization method. Results: 1) the genesis, functions and levels of educational organizations’ accreditation in Kazakhstan are described; 2) existence of the link between EFQM and ESG-15 is proved, however, EFQM is more adapted to institutional accreditation of higher education institutions; and 3) it is shown if formalized data are used to prescribe the scores when filling in the RADAR matrix, then filling in the RADAR matrix will be easier, and subjectivity will decrease, and accuracy will increase.

The European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 342-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria J. Manatos ◽  
Cláudia S. Sarrico ◽  
Maria J. Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Management Model ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Management Model ◽  
Standards And Guidelines

Purpose The authors’ thesis statement is that the literature on quality management in higher education is evolving towards an idea of integration. Considering Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) (ENQA, 2009) to be a framework for the implementation of quality management practices in universities, the purpose of this paper is to understand whether the ESG represent a truly integrated quality management model. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse the content of the ESG taking into account three levels of analysis: the process level, the organisational level and the quality management principles level. Findings The analysis shows that the ESG are a quality management model, covering different processes, organisational levels and quality management principles. This is despite not being a truly integrated quality management model. Indeed, the ESG are mainly focussed on teaching and learning and on support processes, neglecting other processes of universities, such as research and scholarship and the third mission. In addition, they leave aside quality management principles more directly linked with a systemic and holistic approach to quality, such as the system approach principle. Originality/value The paper presents a new analysis of a much discussed quality management model for higher education. It explores the ESG in the light of the concept of integration, discussed according to a new framework of analysis. It also highlights the importance of a broader reflection on these standards and of their integration in the management systems of institutions.

Ascribing meaning to quality cultures in the Portuguese context

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélia Veiga ◽  
Maria João Rosa ◽  
Sónia Cardoso ◽  
Alberto Amaral
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Education Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Culture ◽  
Higher Education Quality ◽  
Portuguese Higher Education ◽  
Education Quality Assurance ◽  
Promax Rotation

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to discuss Portuguese academics’ views on quality assessment and the elements that are important for a better understanding of what ascribes meaning to “quality cultures” in Portuguese higher education. Design/methodology/approach – The discussion was based on the results of a survey run in 2010 among Portuguese academics on quality assessment objectives and purposes. Descriptive statistics was used to investigate academics’ support to what quality assessment was supposed to guarantee (its purposes) and which should be its objectives. Furthermore, a factorial analysis using Promax rotation (oblique) was performed to investigate if the different purposes could be grouped according to the different areas they address in terms of quality assessment, helping to uncover a rationale that could explain the answers obtained. Theoretically, the results have been analysed in the light of the “quality culture” concept. Findings – Perceptions of Portuguese academics that support internal processes of quality assurance correspond either to the responsive quality culture or the regenerative quality culture. The viable form of ideal cultures is analytically limited, and the perceptions gathered encourage “quality cultures” biased by stronger group control. Originality/value – The paper offers new insights into academics’ perceptions on quality assessment, a theme that so far has been relatively absent from higher education quality assurance studies. Furthermore, the results obtained could be useful to policymakers and quality assurance agencies when setting up evaluation and accreditation systems capable of balancing improvement associated with the group dimension and accountability coupled with the grid dimension.

scholarly journals Quality Management Of Higher Education In The Context Of Integration To European Education Area

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salimova Tatiana ◽  
Makolov Vasilij ◽  
Enaleeva Yulia
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Bologna Process ◽  
Quality Assurance System ◽  
State University ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Assurance System ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
The Bologna Process

The article has the characteristics of multilevel quality assurance system, based on the European, national and institutional structures. The authors pay attention to quality education issues in the context of the Bologna Process under the modern conditions. The current trends and problems of quality assurance system have been defined. The experience of Mordovia State University participating in the implementation of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area has been presented in this article. 

Comprehensive quality assessment of Czech higher education institutions

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 138-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Nenadál
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Assessment Methodology ◽  
Pilot Testing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Assessment Approach

Purpose – The paper aims to sum up the principal and original set of information related to the special project covered by Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, which was oriented to quality assurance and assessment at Czech higher education institutions. It brings main results and lessons learned from comprehensive quality assessment methodology pilot testing. Design/methodology/approach – Brainstorming conferences, seminars, comparative analysis, interviews, design review and validation were used by the expert team to develop and to test the comprehensive quality assessment methodology. Findings – The EFQM Excellence Model is the most comprehensive tool for quality assurance and quality assessment. It is pragmatic and practical, but it is necessary to adapt this model for effective use at Czech higher education institutions as a set of assessment criteria. The comprehensive quality assessment approach does not only examine what universities and other higher schools have achieved in the past (through lagging indicators), but it also includes assessment of their potential for the future through the so-called leading indicators. Research limitations/implications – The pilot testing of designed methodology of comprehensive quality assessment was performed within 12 Czech higher education institutions, but the lessons learned have common validity for any Czech higher education institution. Originality/value – The proposed methodology of comprehensive quality assessment is a quite new approach from the point of Czech higher education institutions view. It offers new and efficient tool for next higher schools and universities development.

scholarly journals How the Triangle of Bologna Quality Assurance, a National Legal Framework and Internal Quality Enhancement Supports Institutional Improvement

SEEU Review ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-124
Author(s):  
Kareva Veronika ◽  
Dika Zamir ◽  
Henshaw Heather ◽  
Memedi Xhevair
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
International Trends ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The Republic of Macedonia (RM) has been a part of the Bologna process since 2003. The Ministry of Education, law and policy makers and higher education institutions have actively engaged with its main concepts. In parallel with this, since the adoption of the law on higher education in 2008 and the reform of the Accreditation and Evaluation Board, there have been numerous changes and amendments culminating in the fast-tracked adoption of a new law at the beginning of 2015. Some of its solutions created a huge debate among the academic community, other intellectuals and students themselves, resulting in the postponement of that law and a kind of legal vacuum. In such turbulent circumstances, individual higher education institutions had to consider how and to what extent to adopt and develop relevant standards and guidelines, comply with the legal framework and promote good practice. The aim of this paper is to present how these three aspects, Bologna standards and guidelines for Quality Assurance (QA), a national legal framework and an institutional approach are being reflected, merged and implemented at a relatively young higher education institution. It questions the impact of these three elements on each other and how one institution’s drive for improvement is affected. This is done through a qualitative analysis of the three-fold perspectives. The conclusions and recommendations are expected to be of use to policy makers in the country and region as they evaluate how international trends and good practice fit into the socio-economic and political conditions of RM and similar countries. At the same time, it can demonstrate how far institutional quality assurance and progress can be implemented and recognized in the country itself and by some international stakeholders. It can also prove that the South East European University (SEEU) is a national leader in this field as RM has no functioning QA evaluation system, while SEEU has managed to create a well structured and operating one, based on international and institutional experiences.

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