Quality Assurance System in Higher Education Institutions(HEIs) Professor Dr Mesbahuddin Ahmed Head of Quality Assurance Unit UGC, Bangladesh

What is Quality Assurance? We may define it as A set of well structured process which will guide the educational institutions for achieving its goal to fulfill its objectives. In other words, QA process will determine whether the graduates coming out of institutions achieved the expected standard in terms of skills, attitudes and values that meet the expectations of the society.

Why Quality Assurance? We need to make sure our HEIs are competitive The society we live in today is globalized and economic pursuits have become highly competitive. Productivity and growth today solely depend upon NEW KNOWLEDGE generated in universities.

Higher education transforms the traditional society into knowledge society. It is considered to be catalyst for creativity and innovation. Hence, improving quality in HEIs is vitally important

As the scope of higher education in Bangladesh expanded remarkably with the increase in the number of universities both on public and private sector, it has drawn on many deep rooted problems and intertwined challenges. These problems can only be addressed by developing a quality culture and ensuring good practice in HEIs.

ALSO Establishment of quality assurance system in higher education is a global concern A well functioning quality assurance system could push higher education in Bangladesh forward to greater heights with peoples’ confidence at national and international level. Thus we need to develop QA system urgently to our benefit as well as to have confidence of global community.

TWO TYPES OF QA 1.Internal Quality Assurance System:  is composed of the institutional arrangements within the institution to provide assurance of quality  Institutional QA cell (IQAC) will be responsible to introduce the internal quality assurance system at the University level

2. External Quality Assurance:  A credible body or agency external to a particular HEI will be given the responsibility to access the effectiveness of the internal quality assurance system.

Quality Assurance Areas Developing QA culture is a continuous process and in current setting the following quality assurance areas are considered to be critical to develop the desired quality assurance system in Bangladesh. Governance Curriculum Content, Design & Review Student Entry qualifications, Admission procedure, Progress and Achievements

Physical Facilities Teaching – Learning and Assessment Student Support Service Staff and Facilities: Recruitment and staff development Research and Extension Continuous Improvement

Institutional Arrangement for Establishment of QA in Bangladesh University Grants Commission of Bangladesh responding positively to the QA issues in HE has set up a Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) The QAU would guide and oversee the establishment of Institutional Quality Assessment Cells (IQAC) in all universities both public and private.

The QAU will function as a temporary council until formation of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council, Bangladesh QAACB is constituted. The QAU will also be preparing the national qualification framework and other quality assurance documents.

Mission and Objectives of QAU Mission: To gain confidence of the stakeholders in the globalized world by ensuring efficient performance of higher education institutions in Bangladesh To ensure transparency, accountability and credibility in accordance with internationally acceptable quality assurance practices

Objectives : To guide the university for establishing a functional IQAC To improve the governance and the management of academic programs by establishing QA mechanism To ensure good practice for quality assurance in higher education in Bangladesh

Features of IQAC to be introduced IQAC will manage the internal QA system in individual universities IQAC will be established following a IQAC manual The QA system will be completely participatory and consultative The QA documents will be upgraded in consultation with the higher education community and stakeholders The system introduced will be reviewed and made responsive to emerging needs

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF IQAC The major functions of the IQAC are : To facilitate to define the mission and objectives of the university; Develop standard and benchmark for academic programs; Review existing procedure for further improvement Provide necessary support to conduct self- assessment, external peer-review; Develop a data base for information regarding quality assurance

Develop an institutional QA strategic plan and ensure its implementation and monitor its achievements. Co-ordinate all QA related activities within the University Liaise with QAU and other external QA agencies Organize workshops, seminars and appropriate training for promoting QA culture Take initiative to establish staff development centre.

Institutional Quality Assurance Cell Fund (IQACF) In order to support the establishment of QA mechanism, the HEQEP would provide funds under a new window named IQACF available to public and private universities that fulfill the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility for Accessing IQACF Fund GroupsNo. of full time teacher No of Universities PublicPrivate A> B C< Total Universities that have more than 1000 students will be eligible for IQACF fund. The universities are clustered into three groups, A, B, C as shown in the table below

IQACF mode of Funding Years IQACF FundingUniversity Funding %Funding Amount to Groups %Funding to Groups ABCABC 1 st Year nd Year rd Year Total The total cost of IQAC will be shared between the project and universities:

Block Allocation to Department/ Facilities /Institutions There will be a separate block allocation to each department, faculty and institute for setting up of a QA cell, to an amount of Tk /- for each of the entity.

Proposal Submission Procedure Proposal Call Proposal Format Screening Proposal Review For Further Details Quality Assurance Unit, QAU 29/1 Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh +