QUALITY ASSURANCE DIRECTORATE

1.       Historical Perspective

Quality Assurance as a Directorate was established by the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eno James Ibanga in 2016 with the core mandate to administer and facilitate the operations of Akwa Ibom State University’s Quality assurance and Improvement of policies, procedures and adherence to standard practices for the overall benefit of the University system. Professor Ijeoma A. Archibong was the first Director from January to December 2016 and Dr. Edet William Nsi was appointed to succeed her in March, 2017. Dr. (mrs) Jemimah Timothy Ekanem is the third in series having been duly appointed in February 1, 2020.

2.       Structure of the Directorate

Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD) is an integral part of the Vice Chancellor’s office and it is headed by a Director. It has quality assurance representatives from each Department and Faculty, who work with the Director in achieving the set standards for the University. The Director, Quality Assurance (QA) is the chairman of implementation/monitoring committee for the strategic plan of the University. The Directorate is structured along two major Units: The Standards Compliance and Enforcement Unit and Staff/Student Evaluation and Development Unit.

Vision Statement: to inculcate and promote the culture of quality in the businesses of all stakeholders of the University in order to achieve competitive advantage in the higher education sector

Mission Statement: to coordinate processes for quality assurance functions’ delivery in order to transform the University into a leading University in Nigeria in Teaching, Research, Community Service, Innovation and entrepreneurship.

3.       Quality Assurance Operations

Quality assurance (QA) is a whole process whereby standards are maintained; it is a regulatory mechanism that focuses on accountability and improvements to give guarantee to stakeholders that goods and services will consistently meet standard; it is a process that offers satisfaction in terms of standards, to stakeholders. In the University context, QA entails a variety of procedures intended to improve/promote learning conditions and protect academic standards.

To provide such assurance, a system of quality management is necessary. Part of this system will be quality control, whereby conformity with standards is checked and steps are taken if conformity is not achieved. The quality management system may be checked to see if it actually exists and works; this is a quality audit. The products or services may be checked externally to see if standards are being met; this is quality assessment. There must be a commitment to improvement and development; this entails quality improvement or enhancement.

On the whole, the Unit is responsible for monitoring quality performance, through assessment and evaluation of the university’s activities on regular basis, in order to receive feedbacks for amelioration and thus promote productivity and development.

4.       Quality Assurance: Whose Responsibility?

Quality Assurance is the responsibility of every member of the University. The Administration, Staff and Students, even other stakeholders, all have a role to play in attaining quality for the University. The Directorate works in synergy with other Directorates in the University (Academic Planning, Academic Affairs, Students Affairs, SERVICOM and AKUBOR) to deliver quality services in line with the vision and mission of the University.

5.       DIRECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.        Draw up quality Assurance policy guidelines for the University
2.       Ensure the development, maintenance and sustenance of ‘quality culture’ in the University and
3.        Ensure that University Policies are in agreement with globally accepted quality assurance standards




 UNITS WITHIN THE DIRECTORATE AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY

A.      STANDARDS COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT UNIT

The duties of this department include but not limited to the following:

1. Direct involvement in the preparation of departments for accreditation of Programmes by the National University Commission (NUC)
2. Assisting in pre-accreditation exercise, Accreditation of programmes and analysis of past accreditation results to identify strengths and weaknesses for remedial purposes
3. Liaising with the Academic planning Director to ensure compliance with the NUC BMAS
4. Collaborating with HODs, Deans and DAP for curriculum reviews and proposal for new academic programmes for the University
5. Organizing workshops and seminars for staff and students on Quality Assurance culture at the beginning of every academic session and periodically
6. Conducting research on wide range of issues relating to quality compliance
7. Conducting feedback assessment research in order to confirm whether the curriculum meets employers needs as well as on graduate - employer relationship
8. Monitoring the implementation of approved University academic calendar
9. To carry out any other duties assigned by the Director

 

B.      STAFF/STUDENT EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT

The duties of this department include but not limited to the following:

1. To organize excellence award programmes
2. To carry out periodic study on lecturers performance on lecture delivery 
3. To sensitize staff on development programmes
4. To sensitize students toward professional affiliation and development
5. To collaborate with corporate bodies and International organizations for industrial experience
6. Monitor and assess Teaching/Learning, e- learning
7. Monitoring of Semester/Degree examinations for quality
8. Ensuring that standards are maintained in examinations
9. Monitoring and assessment of facilities for quality, adequacy and currency for enhanced learning (lecture theatres, studios, laboratories, libraries, resource rooms, classrooms, workshops, medical facilities, sporting facilities, toilet facilities, hand washing/hygiene maintenance facilities etc.)
10. To carry out any other duties assigned by the Director