Sindh HEC Concludes Historic 1st National Certified Reviewers (NCR) QA Professionals’ Training Program

30 December, 2024

The Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) has completed the inaugural 1st National Certified Reviewers (NCR) Training Program. This pioneering initiative was developed to enhance the skills of Quality Professionals as external Reviewer in higher education institutions across Pakistan. Spanning an intensive 100-hour curriculum over four modules, the program highlights Sindh HEC’s dedication to improving quality assurance practices and fostering collaboration nationwide.

A total of 106 professionals joined the program, with 21 participants demonstrating exceptional dedication by completing all four modules. To honor varying levels of participation, experience and seniority, Sindh HEC introduced the title of “Associate National Certified Reviewer”. Among those who completed the program, 10 participants were recognized as National Certified Reviewers, and 11 were designated as Associate Reviewers. The program attracted participants from across Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh, underscoring its broad outreach and impact. The final module of the training was held at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Karachi.

The program was led by Dr. Abdul Wahid Usmani, Director of QEC at Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi, who played a pivotal role as the Lead Resource Person. Dr. Usmani’s expertise ensured participants engaged with a robust curriculum focused on modern quality assurance frameworks and review techniques. Key topics included methodologies such as ADRI (Approach, Deployment, Results, and Improvement), ADLI (Approach, Deployment, Learning, and Integration), and LeTCI (Levels, Trends, Comparisons, and Integration). The LeTCI framework, as part of the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Criteria, focuses on evaluating the “Results” category, assessing an organization’s performance in terms of its current levels, trends over time, comparisons to competitors, and how well measures align with overall organizational goals. Core competencies developed during the program included qualitative report analysis, connecting University Performance Reviews with ADLI, drafting insightful review comments, and mastering evaluation principles.

During the closing ceremony, Mr. Moinuddin Siddiqui, Secretary of Sindh HEC, expressed his admiration for the program’s significance and applauded the participants’ dedication. “This program represents a significant step forward in Sindh HEC’s mission to raise the standards of quality assurance in higher education. By equipping QEC professionals with innovative tools such as ADRI, ADLI, and LeTCI, we are empowering institutions to deliver enhanced educational outcomes. Your achievements here are a testament to your hard work and perseverance,” he said.

Mr. Siddiqui also highlighted Sindh HEC’s collaborative efforts, sharing plans to involve the Federal HEC as well as Higher Education Commission and Departments in Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to replicate similar initiatives across the country. He urged participants to apply their newly acquired expertise in their respective institutions, reaffirming Sindh HEC’s commitment to improving educational standards.

The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates and shields to participants. Trainers and facilitators were also honored for their invaluable contributions to the program’s success. Sindh HEC remains steadfast in its mission to champion quality and innovation, laying the groundwork for a brighter future in Pakistan’s higher education landscape.