Quality Assurance Directorate
Introduction
As a world-class centre for higher learning, St. Paul’s University regards quality as fundamental in building and maintaining its reputation and gaining respect and support from local and international publics. To achieve its mandate, the Quality Assurance directorate defines and operationalizes the terms “quality” and “quality assurance.” “Quality” should be understood as the pursuit of excellence towards achievement of our core business as a higher learning institution. In this pursuit of excellence, then, the university seeks to attain the highest academic goals and standards so as to be “fit for purpose.” Thus, “Quality assurance” should be understood as the measure of the value and system of benchmarks that ensure the maintenance and improvement of processes and product standards are evaluated on a continuous basis.
Brief History
The Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD) in St Paul’s University, was set up in January 2014 according to the university statutes. Prior to its establishment, the University’s quality agenda was managed by several bodies within the University structures that included the Senate, Management Board, Dean’s committee, Faculty Boards and specifically coordinated from the Deputy Registrar Academic’s office. The thirst for knowledge in Kenya, aim to fulfill Vision 2030, educational policy and many other local and international factors have transformed the landscape in Kenya and globally in the recent past. This was greeted by mushrooming institutions in all imaginable corners of the nation causing great decline University Education standards.
The Directorate was therefore enacted to deal specifically with implementing the University quality standards, monitoring and Evaluation and enhancing continual improvement all aspects as engrained in SPU vision and mission. In this regard the directorate seeks to influence the formation of a holistic graduate ingrained with knowledge obtained from properly crafted skills and competency based curriculums, a critical thinker and researcher, a spiritually whole individual formed through the numerous spiritual formation activities, a sensitive citizen via involvement in community outreach and state of art infrastructure that supports that course (service to God and humanity).
Main Objective
The overall objective of an IQA system in a university is to continually promote and improve the quality of core activities and the institution as a whole. Specifically, the Quality assurance Directorate seeks to:
- monitor
- evaluate and
- continually improve quality of the institution.
Structure
The Quality Assurance Directorate is headed by a Director who reports to the Vice chancellor. The directorate is enhanced by an administrator and closely works with the University Quality Assurance Committee that has representation from all faculties, campuses, students' body, administrative staff and Internal Audit. The Director chairs the Quality Assurance Committee.
Other Quality Assurance Enhancement Activities
Towards ISO 9001:2015 certification
St. Paul’s University well known for its emphasis on high quality standards in all aspects, is on her journey towards ISO 9001:2015 implementation and certification. The QAD as a secretariat to the process is committed to work with ISO champions and develop internal Auditors.
Peer Reviews
We coordinate and train SAR writers for all programmes that have completed a cycle until the teams are ready peer reviews.
Mega Reviews and Memberships
We encourage faculty and professionals in all fields to benchmark and seek membership in bodies where there works will receive a boost.
University Act, Regulations and Standards
We continually update the University fraternity on laws and regulations governing University Education in Kenya, the East African region and globally as need arise.
Multiplier Training System (MTS)
We seek to roll out and integrate the 10 MTS modules in different ways in search of better systems and continual improvement.
- MTS 1: Steering higher education processes
- MTS 2: Development of organizational culture
- MTS 3: Project Management
- MTS 4: Higher Education Marketing and Branding
- MTS 5: Knowledge Management
- MTS6: Transfer Management and Entrepreneurship
- MTS 7: Course design and adaptation
- MTS 8: Re-engineering pedagogy
- MTS 9: Media Didactic
- MTS 10: Assessment in higher Education
Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning (PEBL)
Currently the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is training University representatives in Strengthening Quality Assurance Systems in blended learning courses.
Self-Assessment Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS)
In order to enhance the effectiveness of the IQAS in the University, an IQAS self-assessment is ongoing.
Other Quality Assurance Enhancement Activities
- Policies
- IUCEA Handbooks
- Universities Act 2012
- Universities Regulations 2014
- University Regulations and Standards 2014