Mission, Principles and Terms of Reference
The Quality Assurance Office (QAO) plays a functional role in assisting the development, monitoring, reporting, and enhancement of quality across the University. The articulated mission, principles and terms of reference indicate the commitment of the University to continuous improvement.
Mission
In line with the development of the University, the Quality Assurance Office (QAO) was established in 2009, its mission statement is:
To assist and ensure the highest quality learning, teaching, curricula, research and administration in the University through the development, implementation and continuous enhancement of quality, and to ensure that the highest quality systems and procedures to achieve these operate. These serve the University’s vision of becoming a pre-eminent institution of higher learning and research, and promoting the development of ethical, rounded and skilled graduates who contribute towards the development of the local, regional, and global community.
Principles
The principles on which quality assurance are built in the University are developmental, to ensure continuous improvement through the engagement of all relevant parties within and outside the University. The work of the Quality Assurance Office (QAO) and, indeed quality assurance across the University, rests on several principles:
Quality assurance and enhancement are developmental as a strategic part of the University’s strategy for ensuring the highest quality learning, teaching, curricula, research and academic operations and standards of the University.
Quality assurance and enhancement are collaborative and cooperative.
Quality assurance and enhancement are empowering and involve all areas of the University, parties and stakeholders.
Quality assurance and enhancement are designed to meet internal and external approval, accreditation and recognition requirements.
Quality assurance and enhancement are ongoing as a component of the University’s strategies for continuous improvement and excellence.
Quality assurance and enhancement practices at all areas of the University are documented, monitored, reviewed and assessed/evaluated.
Quality assurance and enhancement are designed to promote institutional and public confidence in the academic standards of the University.
Quality assurance and enhancement are transparent, systematic, rigorous and equitable.
Quality assurance and enhancement focus on input, processes, outcomes and impact.
Quality assurance and enhancement function as a supported and facilitated process in the University.
Terms of Reference
The main responsibility of the Quality Assurance Office (QAO) is to provide administrative and substantive stewardship, guidance and support for QA at all levels of the University, and to support the accreditation and review processes both at the institutional and program level as well as to facilitate the development and application processes of academic programs of the University. These responsibilities are framed as follows:
to assist in formulating strategies, policies, systems, procedures and practices for the University’s academic quality assurance and enhancement;
to promote and implement quality-related strategic developments within sustainable quality assurance and enhancement frameworks and procedures and in accordance with the University vision and strategic planning;
to promote the culture of academic quality within the University;
to assist in monitoring, reviewing, auditing, evaluating and continuously developing the University’s quality together with its quality assurance and enhancement strategies, frameworks and procedures at all levels of the University, for the promotion of academic excellence in learning, teaching and research;
to advise and facilitate the procedures for program application and approval processes.
