FACE-TO-FACE WORKSHOP on Building IQA Systems (jointly with the QAA) in Tunisia

Date: 08^th & 09^th June, 2022
Time: 09:00 AM – 17:00 PM Tunisia Time
Face to Face Workshop
Venue: Université Centrale, Tunisia
Registration Fee:
442 USD Early Bird for registrations fully completed prior to 15th May, 2022
520 USD for registrations after 15th May, 2022

Workshop Overview

Crucial to the development of a quality culture is the need to develop an integrated internal quality assurance system that promotes quality enhancement and which takes into consideration the particularities and context of individual institutions and that helps respond to the needs of external quality assurance agencies. The integration of online learning as a response to COVid19 has also impacted aspects of QA which is to be addressed within the scope of institution’s IQA. The aim of this two day ‘hands-on’ program which has been delivered in various Arab Countries is to raise awareness on how to develop internal quality systems, and grow and sustain an internal quality culture. It aims at building capacity among universities and colleges to enable them to develop internal quality assurance systems that are embedded in the strategies and culture of their institutions and aligned with external national and international accreditation agencies requirements.

Throughout the program emphasis will be placed on how internal and external HE Quality Assurance is delivered internationally, with special focus on the UK, the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the Arab region.

Workshop Structure

Session (1): Understanding the Quality Landscape in Higher Education: Context and Drivers for QA

• Main concepts and terminologies, principles & fundamentals of quality & quality assurance in HE to ensure a common understanding among participants throughout the program
• The various dimensions of quality perceptions among stakeholders
• Quality, Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement: understanding the differences
• Various EQA Approaches in Different Arab Countries (short overview)

Session (2): External Quality Assurance

• Global trends and development in QA post pandemic
• QA Developments in the Region – including those related to the recent shift to online learning in response to COVID 19
• Challenges for QA in the region: Regional, National and Institutional
• Integration of internal QA with QA
• Case studies from the UK and Europe

Session (3) : Developing Internal Quality Assurance Systems

This session will provide participants with an overview on how to establish a comprehensive and integrated internal QA system; focusing on the key components of an IQA.

• Drivers for Developing and implementing Integrated IQA Systems Characteristics and Principles of IQA Systems
• Elements of IQAs systems The Quality Policy
• IQA Structure, organization and governance Scope of IQA
• Common Pitfalls when developing and implementing IQAs System IQA Processes and Tools
• Using data effectively

Session (4): Quality Assuring Online Delivery

The pandemic has intensified the use of online education; and many HEIs globally come to appreciate the many benefits online education can offer when properly designed and delivered. This session will discuss the implication of implementing online and distance learning on internal and external QA and discuss how quality assurance of online/ distance learning at the system as well as at the institutional level (external and internal QA) can be achieved.

• Quality and QA issues in Online Delivery: challenge, opportunities and experiences
• Quality Domains and Indicators in Online Delivery
• Quality Models and Frameworks for Online Delivery – Global, UK and Middle East perspectives
• Adapting internal quality systems to address the nature of online delivery
• Lessons learnt from the Pandemic

Session (5): Creating and Sustaining a Quality Culture: From Quality Assurance to Quality Enhancement Quality Assurance

The session focuses on how institutions can establish and sustain an internal quality culture by adopting different strategies such as: Linking internal quality to strategic priorities and institutional mission -Leading and supporting change – Building internal capabilities – Documenting your quality experience, etc . It will also involve key questions for discussions and debates among participants.

• Building an internal quality culture: Key ingredients and elements Context-mechanism-outcome configuration of quality culture in HEI Core values and beliefs of a quality culture
• Key enablers for creating and sustaining a quality culture Linking internal quality to institutional strategy
• Moving from quality culture to quality enhancement
• Using QAA’s key principles and ways of working with the ESG as an example of using a regional framework for quality enhancement
• Interacting with participants to find out how they feel their own experience of QA will fit with the European framework and the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) as an example of an international framework for QA
• Functional elements of quality enhancement

Session (6): QAA’s International Quality Review (IQR)

• An introduction to the IQR review method, its outcomes and benefits
• An understanding of how it offers a model against which to test your own IQA system against international standards

 

Who is this workshop for?

The workshop is relevant to anyone involved with ensuring the quality of higher education whether from an academic or administrative stand, this include but is not limited to:

• University Vice Presidents, Provosts and Members of Executive Management.
• Deans and Directors of Quality Assurance and Accreditation Offices.
• Managers and staff working in Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research Offices.
• Deans and Heads of Department of Administrative and Academic Support Units in charge of overseeing the quality of programs and services within their Units.
• Representatives from Ministries of Higher Education and External QA agencies involved with Quality Assurance from Higher Education may also find the workshop relevant.

Workshop Facilitators