quality assurance in higher education prof. colin n. peiris quality assurance specialist
TRANSCRIPT
QUALITY ASSURANCE QUALITY ASSURANCE
IN IN
HIGHER EDUCATIONHIGHER EDUCATION
QUALITY ASSURANCE QUALITY ASSURANCE
IN IN
HIGHER EDUCATIONHIGHER EDUCATION
Prof. Colin N. PeirisQuality Assurance Specialist
Character of Universities 20th Centuary
Government to continuously provide adequate funding Highly politicized and militant university community Isolation of universities from markets Academics believe in idealism, nationalism, liberalism, radicalism etc. Supplied on national basis – mostly for local students Government regulated Competition and profits were almost unknown Smaller enrolment for elitist students (studies or wealth)
Universities in 21st Centuary Higher Education is International
Annual Growth in Enrolment is 7%
Active Participation of Private Sector and Religious Organizations
Quality and Relevance are Important
Annual Tuition Fee Income US$ 30 billion
Universities Compete for Talent and Money
Mass Higher Education (Higher Education for all)
Role of State is Shrinking and Diminishing
Demand Exceeds the Supply
Offerings and Deliveries in Different ways
In 1880 Rich countries were 04 times as rich as poorest
African Countries Rich countries were 02 times as rich as most Asian
Countries
In 2002 Rich countries were 400 times as rich as poorest
African Countries Rich countries were 10 times as rich as most Asian
Countries
Economies – Developed Vs Developing Economies – Developed Vs Developing CountriesCountries
Why We Need To Why We Need To Change? Change?
Some Statements on Quality Assurance
QA is not a science, but common sense
Instruments are important, but the right attitude is much more important QA is the responsibility of everybody
QA should be part of the overall policy and management
Objectives of Quality Assurance
• Universities are Public Institutions• Higher education is a “Public Good”
-Is of crucial importance to the:
• Health• Wealth• Well-being of society and• Economy of the country
Is a key factor in promoting and safeguarding public confidence In the country Higher
Education
• HE is the engine that drives the economy
- a priority public issue for governments.
- a strategic, human resource investment
• To fuel the engine need to get the public Support
- Establish Goals and PI’s
- Report on Progress
• Public and Government are concern with HE – standards– quality – employability – skills of graduates
• HE is expensive.
• Increased demands for accountability
QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM
EXTERNALINTERNAL
SELF ANALYSIS
QUALITY PLAN
ACCREDITATION
ACCOUNTABILITY
EXTERNAL ASSESMENT
IMPROVEMENT
PI’s - WHY? WHAT FOR?PI’s - WHY? WHAT FOR?
Universities need base decisions Universities need base decisions concerningconcerning - efficiency
- effectiveness - Productivity
Comparisons and assessments of Comparisons and assessments of educational functioning.educational functioning.
• Expansion of HE has gone hand in hand with the diversification of its market and products
Increased competition among students and institutions
Growing need for recognition and
certification of courses
Trans-border phenomenon of overseas
students
Courses becoming increasingly difficult to
regulate
What PI’s are - and What PI’s are - and what they are notwhat they are not
• “If the goals of education are vague or
undefined or if the ways to achieve them are
unknown, then no information is useful and
anything or nothing will serve as an indicator.”
(OECD, Indicators of Performance of Educational Systems, Paris, 1973)
End noteEnd note
• QA is like adding brakes to cars. The purpose of brakes is not to stop you: it’s to enable you to go fast! Brakes help avoid accidents caused by mechanical failures in other cars, rude drivers, and road hazards.
• QA must be internally driven and become a need rather than an obligation
• Whatever QA system is adopted, it has to be shared by majority of members of the Inst.
• QA is a destination but not an end point
Positive ThinkingPositive Thinking