The document outlines the importance of quality assurance (QA) and accreditation in higher education, specifically within the Bangladeshi context. It highlights the roles of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at Sylhet Agricultural University, set up to enhance academic quality and performance through strategic planning and systematic review processes. Key elements discussed include definitions of quality, the purpose and models of QA and accreditation, and the need for continuous improvement and stakeholder confidence in educational standards.

1. Quality Assurance in Higher Education and
Accreditation
Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam
Former Director, IQAC, SAU
Sylhet

2. Outline of the Presentation
Quality has several definitions
History of QA
Functions of QA in Education
QA Need and QA Model
Definition of Accreditation
Purpose of Quality Assurance and Accreditation
The need for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Bangladesh
Overview of QA and Aim and Objectives of IQAC
Elements of Quality Assurance process
Setting Common Goals among faculty and administrators
QUALITY ASSURANCE NEED
CONCLUSION

4. Quality has several definitions (Green, 1994)

5. Quality as excellence
- Popular notion amongst Professors
and Vice-chancellor,…
-Quality assurance (QA) is focused
upon the input

6. Quality= fitness for purpose

7. Quality: meeting basic standards

8. Quality : Meet the needs and
expectations of the clients

9. According to British Higher Education Council:
Quality” is the central mystery of British Higher Education – a mystery in all the
variants of meaning and nuance of which the word is capable.
Quality is not perfection. It is improving your previous best and showing that you
are at the leading edge in most aspects
The concept of quality includes a set of standards.
Quality is degree of excellence or relative goodness, and so quality is not
excellence per we but it refers to an ascending degree of excellence -- perhaps
low quality, moderate quality and high quality.
Even among items or objects with "high quality" one can have higher quality and
another one may possess the highest quality.

10. Assurance
Assurance is the declaration of a commitment aimed at giving
confidence to one's intended clients, customer or public.
Quality assurance in education is demonstrated by a system of
principles and practices arranged logically to achieve certain
predetermined quality goals or objectives meant to give confidence to
students, parents and the public.
Assurance of Quality in higher education is a process of establishing
stakeholder confidence that provision (input, process and outcomes)
fulfils expectations or measures up to threshold minimum
requirements.

11. What is Quality Assurance (QA):
Quality Assurance is the planned and systematic review
process of an institution or program to determine whether or
not acceptable standards of education, scholarship and
infrastructure are being met, maintained and enhanced.
The means by which an institution can guarantee with
confidence and certainty, that the standards and quality of its
educational provision are being maintained and enhanced.
Quality Assurance provide tools and processes to enable us
to meet our goals.

12. History

13. QA in European Higher
Education

14. Functions of QA in Education

15. QA Need

16. QA Model

17. Definition of Accreditation
Accreditation (standard-based approach)
“a process of quality control and assurance in higher education,
whereby, as a result of inspection or assessment, or both, an
institution or its programmes are recognised as meeting
minimum acceptable standards”
Accreditation (fitness-for-purpose approach)
“an accreditation system should provide elements to analyse the
quality of the institution’s performance and relevance in
accomplishing its mission”

18. Purpose of Quality Assurance and
Accreditation

19. The need for Quality Assurance and
Accreditation in Bangladesh

20. Overview of QA
The Institutional Quality Assurance Cell(IQAC) was established
at SAU on 2015 under HEQEP and SAU to: overlook issues
related to quality assurance and accreditation in the educational
system, develop an overall strategic plan for quality assurance
and accreditation and assist in improving the quality of the
academic programs and that of their graduates.
Require to develop & implement the measures of QA with
promise of Quality Enhancement to meet international standards
of HE.
IQAC is the Quality Assurance Unit developed at the University
to put a focused attention on QA aspect of HE.

21. Aim and Objectives of IQAC:
Aim:
1.To enhance the effectiveness of the university’s core activities
2.To help in improving the teaching , research standards and quality of
services at the university.
Objectives:
1.To facilitate self assessment of all academic programs.
2.Continuously monitors the quality of teaching-learning and assessment system.
3. Conduct External Peer Review Team visit for external validation and that will
help for designing the future improvement plan.
4. Facilitate the review of all academic programs and
5.Continuously validate/verify new academic programs as per academic quality
assurance regulations.

22. OBJECTIVES : QAA
Improve the quality of output and efficiency of HE learning (teaching)
systems in a systematic way
Help to introduce enabling learning environment which is fostering
element for building a knowledge economy.
Contribute substantially in the success of other programs such as
faculty, curriculum and infrastructure development
Assure the integration of important component of Quality in all
developing fields and coming policies of HE.

23. Mission and Vision
 Ensure and enhance academic quality assurance in all
programs within the university; Provides academic leadership
for the university and assures that the mission of the
university is clarified, pursued, and achieved through the
programs of the entities. Leads the faculty in developing the
vision and inspiring others to accept and extend the vision for
the university.
 Secures and maintains professional accreditation for the university
as well as assists in maintaining regional accreditation for the
institution.

24. Mission and Vision, cont.
Sets priorities and sustains an environment of academic
excellence through review and development of curricular,
research and partnership initiatives.
To enable the institute achieve its goals through quality
research for the enhancement of academic standards and
become a leader in the provision of higher education systems
nationally, regionally and internationally.
Advances a research environment aligned with the mission of
the university; enhances the effectiveness and prominence of
the programs, research activities, and outreach programs.

25. Elements of Quality Assurance process
Quality Assurance Elements:
Course Book
Student’s Feedback
External Evaluation
Teacher Portfolio
Continuing Education
Course book: The course book is a sort of summary of the subject that the student
will be taking during the semester. It should be provided to the student at the
beginning of the semester. The course book should consist of the outcome based
course profile having the samples of question, list of text books and references and
the personal contact information of the teacher.

26. Setting Common Goals among faculty
and administrators
1. Student learning
2. Program improvement
3. Faculty development
4. New ideas for teaching & learning
5. Inter-disciplinary communication
6. Fulfilling requirements

27. QUALITY ASSURANCE NEED
Quality Assurance does not happen by accident:
It has to be planned continuing improvement.
QUALITY is not any single thing but an environment, an
atmosphere, an overpowering feeling that the INSTITUTION is
doing everything with EXCELLENCE.
OUTPUT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE Ensuring REGULAR
IMPROVEMENT.

28. CONCLUSION
Self-assessment will provide feedback from employers and Alumni
and will enable Universities to improve quality and respond
effectively to market needs.
Require dedication from faculty members and commitment from
University Administration.
Need to be established measurable objectives and evaluate their
outcomes and facilitate to enhance learning.
Quality Assurance is the responsibility of HEI itself.
Overnight results not possible. So be patient but consistent in
pursuing the agenda.
Full support of the administration and cooperation of faculty
essential to achieve the positive results