Center of Quality Assurance & Accreditation, Paktia University
Center of Quality Assurance & Accreditation, Paktia University
Background of the Quality Assurance & Accreditation at Paktia University
The process of Quality Assurance & Accreditation adopted in Afghan Higher Education Institutions is almost similar to the types followed in the higher education institutions of other countries in the world. This process was officially launched at Paktia University in 2012. Initially, one single manager was appointed to handle the entire process of Quality Assurance & Accreditation at University. Later on, a separate department of Quality Assurance & Accreditation was established based on a legislative decree issued by the Ministry of Higher Education in March 2018. Shortly after, a special Center for Quality Assurance & Accreditation, as it was established in ten other universities in the country, was opened and started to work. From 2012 up to 2019, Paktia University has successfully passed the first two levels of the candidacy for accreditation and has been preparing to nominate itself for the third important level. During this period, a number of capacity-building programs and workshops on the QAA process have been conducted for the university lecturers and administrative staff. In addition, at the university level, instructional and administrative services were also standardized based on the eleven major criteria of QAA (mission and purpose; governance and administration; academic programs; faculty members and staff; students and learning; library and information resources; physical and technological resources; financial resources; strategic planning and evaluation; quality assurance and improvement; contribution to society and development). Further, continual assessments have been conducted at the department, faculty, and university levels and the necessary feedback has been also provided to the evaluatees.
Paktia University, after a comprehensive external review, was able to obtain 76.33 percent scores and achieved the second level of candidacy for accreditation in September 2019. Currently, this university has almost completed the preparation for the third level and it is about to be nominated for the mentioned level of accreditation very soon.
Quality Assurance & Accreditation Center
The QAAC is responsible for the monitoring, evaluation, and guidance of academic, administrative, research, and instructional affairs/services within Paktia University.
Vision of the Center
“The Quality Assurance & Accreditation Center of Paktia University supported by its academic capacity and professional competencies strives to make Paktia University a superior institution in terms of quality by the implementation of its framework and policies to achieve full national and international accreditation by quality improvement and enhancement.”
Mission of the Center
“Quality Assurance & Accreditation Center, by having the qualified and professional staff, is committed to the quality development of Paktia University as well as the well-being of the community by providing professional services considering all ethical and professional principles.”
To become fully aware of the Quality Assurance & Accreditation Process, please look through the following relevant terminologies:
Accreditation: Accreditation is a process of internal and external quality review and assessment of higher education institutions, programs and semi-higher institutions for quality assurance and quality improvement to ensure that they meet existing standards of quality and effectiveness in terms of faculty members, teaching, research, and service, as well as infrastructure, financial viability, sustainability, outcomes, and compliance with existing laws.
Candidacy for accreditation: A two-stage process of requirements that must be met before an application for accreditation. Each level has higher requirements for the higher education institution.
Criteria: The requirements to improve and promote quality are set by the accreditation agency for candidacy for accreditation. The criteria spell out the conditions that must be met for each level of candidacy (level one or level two).
Institutional Accreditation: The focus of accreditation is on the institution as a whole (see accreditation above) for quality assurance and improvement to ensure that it meets existing institutional standards of quality and effectiveness in terms of faculty members, teaching, research and service as well as infrastructure, financial viability, sustainability, outcomes and compliance with existing law.
Program Accreditation: External quality review and assessment of higher education programs/professions for quality assurance and quality improvement to ensure that they meet existing standards of quality and effectiveness for that profession in terms of faculty members, teaching, research, and service, as well as infrastructure, financial viability, sustainability, outcomes, and compliance with existing laws. Program Accreditation focus on specific programs or faculties such as teacher education (approved by the MoHE in 2008), law, medicine, engineering, and health professional programs.
Standards: The requirements and conditions that must be met by institutions or programs to be accredited by the Accreditation Agency. These involve expectations about quality effectiveness, outcomes and sustainability