Quality Assurance Support Programme for African Higher Education |
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Objectives and Expected Outcomes:
The objective of the project is to lay a foundation for institutionalized quality assurance mechanisms within tertiary institutions, national quality assurance and accreditation agencies, and an eventual regional network for coordination of cross-border protocols and specialized capacity building in quality assurance (QA). The proposed DGF grant is intended to support the AAU in implementing a series of strategic interventions at institutional, national and regional levels. It will provide support to:
(1) member universities of the AAU for establishing internal quality assurance systems;
(2) national quality assurance/accreditation agencies in developing professional capacities for external evaluation and monitoring systems; and
(3) AAU to update and renegotiate a regional framework on recognition of studies, certificates, diplomas, degrees and other academic qualifications in higher education.
Expected Outcome:
The expected outcome of the project is increased capacity of African tertiary institutions and QA agencies to respond to internal needs as well as external pressures from commercial providers of higher education. It is also anticipated that the partnership will lead to a structured mechanism for sharing knowledge and experience in quality assurance and accreditation across national borders.
Main Components::
Component 1: Strengthening member institutions’ internal Quality Assurance Systems through training courses, seminars and workshops.
Component 2: Support for existing and emerging quality assurance/accreditation agencies in developing strong external evaluation and monitoring systems within national higher education systems in Africa.This will be accomplished through training seminars and courses; development of a QA database to facilitate knowledge sharing; technical assistance and a stakeholders’ conference.
Component 3: Development and implementation of a Regional Framework on Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in Africa, based on the Arusha Convention. The DGF grant will support implementation of a survey of existing arrangements for recognition of study programs, qualifications and awards; the revision of the Arusha Convention; and the development of a Regional Framework on Recognition of Higher Education Study Programs, Qualifications and Awards.
Performance Indicators::
(i) Needs Assessment Report;
(ii) Number trainees in institutional self assessment ad external review;
(iii) Number trainees in institutional self assessment ad external review;
(iv) Web-based database on QA in Africa operational;
(v) A regional framework for recognition of study programs, qualifications and awards agreed upon;
(vi) A qualified core QA team in place at the AAU headquarter.
Progress and Achievements::
- A preliminary survey of the status of QA in African institutions was undertaken by the AAU in 1999. The results are posted on their website (www.aau.org). This survey needs updating.
- In its Strategic Plan for 2003-2010, the AAU has prioritized quality assurance and accreditation issues in higher education and capacity development for higher education institutions as well as quality assurance and accreditation agencies as key strategies for the development of credible and effective education and training systems in Africa. The Plan was approved by its General Conference in 2005.
- The Africa Region of the World Bank is conducting a study on QA in higher education in Africa. The results of this study will serve as a reference resource in the proposed partnership.
Partners:
Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Carnegie Corporation, FINNIDA. Ford Foundation, International Association of Scholarly Publishers (INASP), International Development Research Centre, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS), NORAD, Rockefeller Foundation, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), UNESCO, the World Bank. |
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Quality Assurance Support Programme for African Higher Education
