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External Quality Audit
Has It Improved Quality Assurance in Universities?
- 1st Edition - March 14, 2013
- Editors: Mahsood Shah, Chenicheri Sid Nair
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 1 - 8 4 3 3 4 - 6 7 6 - 0
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 1 - 7 8 0 6 3 - 3 1 6 - 9
Whilst external quality audits have been in place for more than a decade in some countries, limited research exists on the extent to which such audits have been effective in… Read more
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Request a sales quoteWhilst external quality audits have been in place for more than a decade in some countries, limited research exists on the extent to which such audits have been effective in improving systems and processes for quality assurance in higher education institutions, and the extent to which such audits have improved academic standards, outcomes and student experience. External Quality Audit looks at the experience of countries where external quality audits have been established by governments, and provides analyses of their effectiveness in improving quality assurance in universities and other higher education institutions.
- Brings together the experience of academics and administrators in higher education institutions
- Examines international experience on the extent to which external quality audits have improved quality assurance at national, institutional and faculty levels
- Gives perspective from a variety of higher education institutions
Academic and non-academic quality practitioners who have interests in higher education quality assurance, and government departments with responsibilities for higher education policy and direction
List of figures and tables
Preface
About the editors and contributors
Chapter 1: Quality assurance – corporate fist in a velvet glove?
Abstract:
Australian quality assurance
Measuring teaching quality
Educational reform
Quality assurance for teaching at James Cook University 2000–10
The JCU historical context for quality assurance
Quality assurance – summary of influences on teaching
All is not rosy in the world of professors
Chapter 2: The impact of external quality audit in a private for-profit tertiary education institution
Abstract:
Introduction
Evidence of effectiveness: global perspective
Brief overview of private providers in Australia
External quality audits of private providers
Quality audit approach
Discussion on the effectiveness of the quality audit
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Multiple views of quality audits in New Zealand: a case for advancing systemic understanding
Abstract:
Introduction
A brief overview of quality audits
Quality audit in New Zealand
Views of quality audits in New Zealand
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Reflections on the effectiveness of four cycles of external quality audits in New Zealand universities
Abstract:
Introduction
Universities New Zealand and the establishment of the New Zealand Universities Academic Audit Unit, Te Whanga Ttari
National context: recent government policy
International context
The impact of academic audit on systems and processes
The impact of academic audit on standards, outcomes and the student learning experience
The impact of academic audit at institutional and national level
The future challenges for quality assurance in New Zealand universities
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Enhancing quality assurance in an institution: the University of the South Pacific experience of an external audit
Abstract:
University of the South Pacific: an overview
A vision for the year 2020
The quality strategy
External audit
The self-assessment
Post-audit – the processes and impacts
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Quality audits in Hong Kong: seeking evidence of quality enhancement
Abstract:
The education landscape in Hong Kong
Quality audits in Hong Kong
Methodology for analysis of the Quality Assurance Council reports
Findings
Summary
Chapter 7: External quality audits and quality assurance in the higher education sector: the Malaysian perspective
Abstract:
Introduction
Quality audit practice in higher education
Government policy on external quality audits
The case of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
A practitioner’s point of view
Future challenges for higher education quality assurance in Malaysia
Conclusion
Chapter 8: External quality audit in the UK: an impact analysis
Abstract:
Introduction
The purposes of Institutional Audit
The implementation of Institutional Audit1
The effects of Institutional Audit
Reflections on Institutional Audit
Conclusions
Chapter 9: Effect of external quality agencies on universities in India
Abstract:
The context
The Indian scenario
Effects of external assurance
Assuring transnational education
Lessons to be learned
Chapter 10: External quality audits in South African higher education: goals, outcomes and challenges
Abstract:
Introduction
External quality assurance in the South African higher education context
Functions of the HEQC
Principles and approaches in the institutional audit system
Systems and procedures for institutional audits
External institutional audits: outcomes and impact
Impact of the audit process: preparation and site visit
The issue of impact through audit recommendations
Evaluating the student experience in audits
Conclusion
Chapter 11: Development, effectiveness and future of quality assurance and assessment in Italian higher education
Abstract:
Introduction
Stages in quality assurance in Italian higher education
Conclusion: the trade-off between differentiation and standardisation
Chapter 12: Audits of quality assurance systems of higher education institutions in Finland
Abstract:
The Finnish system of higher education
Brief background of government policy on external quality audits in Finland
Role of FINHEEC, the national quality assurance organization
How do the audits impact on quality management?
Audits and educational outcomes
Students’ role in quality management
The impact of audits at national, institutional and faculty level
The future challenges of higher education quality assurance
Note
Chapter 13: External quality auditing: strengths and shortcomings in the audit process
Abstract:
Introduction
External quality auditing in Norway
A process view on audits
Data and methods
The functioning and effects of external audits in Norway
Some final reflections
Chapter 14: Institutional management and quality audit: the experience in Chile
Abstract:
Development of external quality assurance schemes in Chile: an answer to the challenges of higher education evolution
A study to learn about the impact of quality audits
Results
Lessons learned and recommendations
Chapter 15: Scope, transparency and style: system-level quality strategies and the student experience in Australia
Abstract:
Introduction
External quality audit and the student experience
The Australian Universities Quality Agency and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
System-level quality strategies and the impact of external review
Conclusion: the merits of external review and prospects for future development
Chapter 16: Accreditation and institutional learning: the impact interactions based on a minimaxing strategy have on the benefits from external reviews
Abstract:
Introduction
Purpose of this chapter
Prelude: thoughts on the nature of learning
Learning as a stochastic proposition
Learning as a paradox
Perception and learning
The power of language used – who controls the narrative?
When learning happens
Limitations to organizational learning
Level 1: Nexus or nexum – type of interaction between HEIs and external agents
Level 2: Structural and cultural impacts on compliance
Conclusion
Chapter 17: Has it worked globally?
Abstract:
Introduction
Have audits been successful?
Where to from here?
Index
- No. of pages: 308
- Language: English
- Edition: 1
- Published: March 14, 2013
- Imprint: Chandos Publishing
- Paperback ISBN: 9781843346760
- eBook ISBN: 9781780633169
MS
Mahsood Shah
Mahsood Shah is Principal Advisor for Academic Strategy, Planning and Quality at the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Affiliations and expertise
RMIT UniversityCN
Chenicheri Sid Nair
Professor Sid Nair is currently Executive Dean and Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Experience at the Victorian Institute of Technology (VIT), Australia where he is responsible for the learning, teaching, student experience and quality matters of the Institution.
Previous to this appointment at VIT, Sid was the Executive Director of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Mauritius, the apex regulatory body where he was responsible for the formulation and execution of strategies, policies and procedures in the higher education sector in Mauritius.
Prior to joining TEC, he was Professor of Higher Education Development at the Centre for Education Futures (CEF), University of Western Australia. His role was to build the capacity of academics in the digital delivery of their teaching. His career path also had him as Interim Director and Quality Advisor (Evaluations and Research) at the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ) at Monash University, Australia where he headed the evaluation unit at Monash University. In this capacity he restructured the evaluation framework at the university. The approach to evaluations at Monash has been noted in the first round of the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) audits and is part of the good practice database.
His research work lies in the areas of quality in the higher education system, classroom and school environments, and the implementation of improvements from stakeholder feedback. He has extensive lecturing experience in the applied sciences in Canada, Singapore and Australia. He is an international consultant in quality and evaluations in higher education.
Affiliations and expertise
Executive Dean and Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Experience, Victorian Institute of Technology (VIT), AustraliaRead External Quality Audit on ScienceDirect