“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skilful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” William A Foster
Quality assurance refers to mechanisms put in place to guarantee stakeholders that the education provided is fit for purpose. Quality assurance may also be described as a systematic, structured and continuous attention to quality in terms of maintaining and improving quality. The Vision of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) as stated in its Strategic Plan 2018-2021 is to be An Institute of Choice providing quality market-driven training, research and consultancy services. Therefore, NIPA endeavours to put mechanisms in place to quality assure inputs, processes and outputs.
The position of Assistant Registrar, Quality and Risk Assurance was created in 2018 and is currently held by Mr. Lubosi Kikamba. The main purpose of the position of Assistant Registrar, Quality and Risk Assurance is to ensure that the Institute’s academic and non-academic processes and functions meet external and internal regulatory requirements established by relevant authorities and the development of a culture of quality and risk assurance. A fourteen member Quality Assurance Committee tasked to develop the quality assurance framework for the Institute has also been constituted by the Executive Director, Ambassador Prof. Royson Mukwena.
NIPA takes cognisant of the fact that education services are expected to meet stakeholders’ needs such as students, parents, government, community, lecturers, the labour market and so on. It is for this reason that the Institute automated the student evaluation of teaching in order to improve teaching in the Institute. Further, NIPA is in the process of formalising its quality assurance framework.
ON GOING ACTIVITIES
Internal quality assurance mechanisms are being put in place by the Institute to ensure quality teaching and non-academic services. These include:
Quality Assurance Policy/Framework: The aim is to put in place systems and guidelines that will ensure continuous improvement in academic and non-academic services.
Development of Quality Assurance Tools and Manuals: The aim is to conduct surveys and evaluations so as to enhance evidence-based decision making. Some of the tools include: Student course evaluation, final year student survey, programme evaluation, facilities survey, tracer studies and self-assessment surveys. Quality assurance guidelines and templates such as those for programme development and student appeals are being developed.
Training and Sensitisation: As a way of promoting a quality assurance culture, training and sensitisation of stakeholders using both formal and informal channels will be used by the Institute.
QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Useful Quality Assurance Websites
Zambia Qualifications Authority
Higher Education Authority
Southern African Quality Assurance Network
Harmonisation of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation Initiative
Association of African Universities
Feedback is an essential part of effective teaching. It helps lecturers identify areas for improvement in administration and general facilitation of the course. NIPA has introduced a student lecturers evaluation tool in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The evaluation can be carried out by all students using their student portal.
National Institute of Public Administration.
Ndola - Zambia
dummy+260 212614821-2