ACHEA’S FOURTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Presenter: Sydney ArthurPresenter: Sydney Arthur

Features of the Presentation• The WHAT, WHY & HOW of globalization as it relates to HE in the Caribbean

• The WHAT, WHY of Quality Assurance in HE.

• The WHAT, HOW of Change in HE in the Caribbean.

“Quote”

“New networked delivery systems are facilitating the emergence of a new academic common market, one with common currency and code….this new academic common market will create a system that is based on learning, not teaching… it is a system that measures quality in terms of output, not by brand name of the producer.”

Michael Leavitt, Co-founder of Western Governors University

Features of Globalisation

Intensification and expansion of capitalismIncreasing privatizationRapid flows of finance The removal of trade barriersThe search for sophisticated ‘niche markets’Increasing power and reach of communication technologies

Consequence of Globalisation

Global corporate capitalism

Global communication technologies

Global institutional relationships

Global consumerism

Global expectations/outlook

Globalization Flows Impacting HEI

Capital

Thought

Cultural experiences

Practices (standards)

Global Educational Trends

Joint registration agreements

‘Twinning’ arrangements

Distance education programmes

Articulation agreements

Study abroad programmes

The Global Providers of HE

•Old - Individual Institutions of Higher Education •Newer - Consortia of Institutions of Higher Education

•Newest - Corporations

Global Educational Trends relating to Assurance of Quality

Total Quality Management (TQM)

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR)

ISO Quality Systems

What are 'standards' and 'quality' in higher education?

Academic standards are a way of describing the level of achievement that a student has to reach to gain an academic award (for example, a degree).

Academic quality is a way of describing how well the learning opportunities available to students help them to achieve their award.

It is about making sure that appropriate and effective teaching, support, assessment and learning opportunities are provided for them.

Quality Assurance Systems

Quality assurance systems in HEIs has two

dimensions:

External quality assurance

Internal quality assurance

External Quality Assurance

This refers to the assessment andmonitoring of the educational

quality andstandards of the institutions by

outsideagencies.

Internal Quality Assurance

Quality Control : How the institution determines that the management of its teaching and learning and assessment activities is working as planned and intended, to verify that such activities are carried out satisfactorily. This includes feedback systems;

Quality Assurance : How the institution satisfies itself that the structures and mechanisms for monitoring its quality control procedures are effective and, where appropriate, that they promote the enhancement of the quality of its educational provision;

Quality Audit : A systematic and independent examination to determine whether quality control and quality assurance are satisfactory, implemented effectively, and are suitable to achieve objectives

Elements of an Effective Quality Assurance System

Ongoing evaluation and assessment of students during the learning process

Organisational assessment (audit)

Evaluation of the teaching/learning process

Evaluation of the learning material and media for learning

Openness of institutional results is necessary for increasing quality

Important Questions in the Quality Assurance Process

• Does the provider have a quality ethos, together with procedures that embed that ethos, throughout the institution and in the programmes that it provides? • Does the provider systematically monitor its progress towards achieving an appropriate range of quality goals and in particular, further improving and maintaining the quality of the educational provision? • Are the findings from the quality assurance procedures used to improve the quality of the education and training provision and meet the needs of the learners?

• Does the provider monitor the effectiveness of the services provided to the learner? 

• Is corrective action taken to remedy deficiencies identified by the quality assurance procedures?

 • Is relevant information on institutional and programme quality given to stakeholders?

Problems Plaguing Educational Institutions in the Caribbean

culture changing slowlyineffective leadership political strugglesbureaucratic procedures external environment – inadequate resources, turbulence, complexity

Examples of Problems - People

? ergonomics - design of the environment to meet needs of students and staff? evaluation and monitoring systems? Training & development opportunities ? employee involvement in decision-makinglegal and regulatory compliance

The Reasons for Assuring Educational Quality

1. Healthier economy. 2. Massification of education. 3. Rise of private education. 4. Professions moving across borders - we

need to prepare people for the global economy (trade agreements and multinationals).

5. Matching programs to labor needs. 6. Doing more with fewer resources

Marjorie Peace Lenn, Co-Host GATE and Executive Director, Center for Quality

Assurance in International Education (USA)

these must establish certain minimum requirements that are expected to be met if the institution is to be able to maintain a justifiable level of quality.

they should serve as guidelines for the institution's own quality improvement work.

The Quality Control Function

Dimensions of Change Needed in Caribbean Educational Institutions

DIMENSION OF CHANGE CHANGES IN SYSTEMS CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP

Structural – technological

From local and simple to global and complex

From autocratic to analyst and social architect

Human From focus on material needs to psychic needs

From good father to catalyst and servant

Political From centralised and authoritarian to decentralised and democratic

From great warrior to negotiator and advocate

Cultural From monocultural and univocal to multicultural and multivocal

From hero as destroyer of demons to hero as creator of possibilities

Eight Questions that Guide Strategic Thinking & Choices to Improve Quality

What are we capable of doing?What new capabilities do we want to develop?What do we want to do?What do we need to learn to care about?What might we do?How do we shape our environment to create new possibilities?What do others expect?How do we partner with stakeholders to develop shared expectations?

“Today’s problems come from yesterday’s solutions”

End of Presentation