The Finnish-HEQC s Quality Systems Restructuring Project Outcomes Impact

The Finnish-HEQC’s Quality Systems Restructuring Project: Outcomes Impact & Challenges @ UNIVEN University of Zululand Workshop Dr. M. Makhafola Director: Quality Assurance & Promotion University of Venda 20 -21 October 2008

OUTLINE 1. Background 2. SAQI Diagnostic Analysis Report 3. Project Focus Areas 4. Output and Impact 5. Challenges 6. Acknowledgements

1. Introduction The University of Venda is one of the four universities in the Limpopo Province, located in Thohoyandou. Most recent university to be established in South Africa (1982). Re-designing size and shape which is guided by both the internal (new vision and mission) and external imperatives (NPHE, HE Act, SEPHE) Current students head-count = 10 660 8 Schools; Agriculture, Rural Development & Forestry, Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Mathematics & Natural Sciences, Integrated Studies & Humanities Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 3

1. 2. Vision and Mission The Vision “To be at the centre of tertiary education for rural and regional development in Southern Africa” The Mission “As a Comprehensive institution, the University of Venda offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in fields of study that are responsive to the development needs of the Southern African region, using appropriate learning methodologies and research” Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 4

1. 3. Current University Projects Recovery Plan: Major re-innovation of buildings, upgrading of ICT infrastructure and introduction of management systems Increasing carrying capacity of the campus: To increase the current carrying capacity from 5500 to 10 000. Right sizing and converting to Comprehensive University: All programmes offered at UNIVEN will be subjected to a review in-order to develop an academic plan (including size and shape and programme qualification mix, PQM) that reflects the new vision and mission. Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 5

1. 4. Converting to a Comprehensive From a policy directive Comprehensive University seem to be: n Diversity n Accessibility n Student mobility n Responsiveness n Flexibility Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 6

2. SAQI Diagnostic Analysis Report Project proposal was informed by the SAQI (11 -14 April 2005) diagnostic analysis of the Quality Management System. They use the ISO 9001: 2000 and CHE audit criteria models as a basis for analysis. The University’s compliance to the ISO 9001: 2000 standard was 68% CHE Audit criteria was not aggregated The QMS diagnostic analysis identified 35 areas that needed to be addressed in order for the University to comply with ISO 9001: 2000 and CHE audit criteria. Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 7

3. Project Focus Areas Refine Records and Document Management Programme Review and Programme Development Institutionalization of Quality Assurance and Promotion Refine Academic Policies Benchmarking Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 8

3. 1 Refine Records and Document Management A workshop was conducted in 2006 on record management and archiving of documents. The workshop was attended mainly by school officers and academic administration. Training on Records Management (11 -12 October 2007 Policy was developed in 2006 then revised in March 2008 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 9

3. 2 Programme Review and Annual Departmental Reviews 3. 2. 1 Policy development 3. 2. 2 Capacity Development workshops 3. 2. 3 Teacher Education Improvement Plans 3. 2. 4 Programme Portfolio Review Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 10

3. 2. 4 Programme Portfolio Review All programmes offered at UNIVEN were subjected to a review (July – November 2008) in-order to: n n n Develop an academic plan (including size and shape and programme qualification mix, PQM) that reflects the new vision and mission. Bring the size and shape of UNIVEN within the framework set by the Minister for 2010 (from current 11 700 to 10 500 head count) Develop the new PQM within the framework of the Higher Education Qualification Framework (HEQF, 2007) UNIVEN engaged a consultant Mr. J. File Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 11

Programme Portfolio Review key Criteria Relevance, to what extent is each UNIVEN programme relevant in terms of: n n n New mission and vision Desired size and shape for 2010 Labour market demand for graduates Viability, to what extent is each programme viable in terms of: n n n Government subsidy The tuition it brings Compared to the costs involved in offering it While Relevancy and Viability are proposed as the key criteria, other factors should play a role like: n n n Competition (others offering the programme Unique or distinct programmes (like Tshivenda) Quality of the department offering the programme in other fields like research The opportunity to enhance the programme’s relevance or viability The programme not fitting in the new HEQF Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 12

3. 3 Institutionalization of Quality Assurance and Promotion Awareness campaigns School/Administration Committees Student Quality Literacy Quality Assurance & Promotion Board Quality Assurance a standing item in all School Boards meetings HEQC Institutional Audits Criteria Workshop Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 13

3. 4 Refine Academic Policies n n n n Develop Policy template (Policy on Policy) 2 Workshops (March & April 2007) Assessment Policy Learning & Teaching Policy Guidelines (Curriculum review, Programme development, QA committees etc) Records Management Policy Data Bank Questionnaire for policy rollout Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 14

3. 5 Benchmarking Student administration Examination process Teaching and learning Research output and training Community engagement Student support services Policy formulation & implementation Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 15

4. Project Output and Impact QMS icon on all the desktops Successful Programme Evaluation Capacity development workshops Uniformity in policy formulation Institutional Audit preparation 2010 Buy-in Three evaluation tools (Programme, departmental & SEQ) Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 16

5. Challenges Everything dumped at QAPD Policy rollout and implementation Staffing Resource availability Flooded with education policies (NSC, HEQF, Mergers etc) QM of community engagement Territorial Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 17

6. Acknowledgements HEQC, Herman & Judith Finnish Funders UNIVEN Community Fellow QA Managers/Directors THANK YOU KE A LEBOGA ENKOSI Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, 20 -21 Oct. 2008 18