Quality Assurance Workshops

Date: 1^st February to 16^thMay, 2023

Sindh HEC has taken the initiative to strengthen the quality assurance process in both Public and Private Sector Universities/DAIs. We recognise the importance of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) and Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE), which are annual requirements by the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan. However, the lack of training and certification for reviewers and QA professionals has been a challenge.

To address this issue, Sindh HEC initiated an 80-hour training program for QA professionals and faculty members of HEIs. The program spans over three months and is aimed at producing trained Institutional/Program Reviewers, forming a “Board of Reviewers” (BoR).

The first phase is aimed at producing 20-30 certified reviewers who will serve for two years. Additionally, there will be an annual refresher for each certified reviewer, following international best practices.

MODULE I

The Module-I of the QA Workshop took place from February 1-3, 2023 at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi. Over 100 QA professionals from both public and private universities attended the training. Esteemed experts on quality assurance from various regions of Pakistan, including Dr Abdul Wahid Usmani, Dr Hina Kazmi from Sindh, Imranullah Khan Marwat, Dr Jahangir from KPK and Nasir Shah from Islamabad conducted the training sessions, sharing their expertise with the participants.

The entire training workshop was divided into four modules, and the participants had to qualify for each subsequent module by submitting their home assignments on the given deadlines. Those who successfully completed their assignments were invited to the next module, fostering a rigorous and progressive learning environment.

MODULE II

A two-day training session was organized at the Sindh Madrasatul Islam University, Karachi, for experts and executives of Quality Enhancement Cells (QEC) from public and private universities under the Sindh HEC.

The program aimed to provide QEC experts with comprehensive training and certification. Around 60 successful candidates from the first module were invited to participate in the second part of the training, which commenced from March 14, 2023. This module was conducted full-time and hosted around 60 QA professionals.

Renowned experts in quality enhancement and assurance were hired to facilitate the training session. Their vast experience was beneficial in enhancing the participants’ knowledge, skills and contributed towards maintaining a high standard of education.

MODULE III

The two-day training session for professionals of the QEC in Sindh’s public and private universities concluded with the third module. Held at Sindh Madrasatul Islam University in Karachi under the Sindh HEC, the workshop brought together 35 successful participants from the previous module.

During the session, a team of renowned experts discussed various topics in detail including the ADLI Approach for Qualitative Review, the LeTCI Approach for Quantitative Review, Site Visit Areas, Role Distribution of Reviewers and more.

At the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. S.M. Tariq Rafi, Chairperson Sindh HEC, emphasised on the importance of applying and implementing the knowledge gained from such workshops. Expressing concern over the international ranking of universities in the region, the Chairperson highlighted the need to strengthen institutions such as QEC to boost the standards.

Mr. Moinuddin Siddiqui, Secretary Sindh HEC, also spoke on the occasion and congratulated the participants. He reiterated the commission’s commitment of continued support to the universities and faculties in their pursuit of excellence.

Prof. Dr. Mujib Sehrai, Vice Chancellor Sindh Madrasatul Islam University, while addressing the participants, praised the foolproof selection process adopted for the workshop that allowed only the most qualified candidates to participate in it. He stressed on the importance of maintaining high standards at the educational institutions besides fostering strong relationships with all the stakeholders in order to produce exceptional educational results.

Later, the participants were awarded certificates for showcasing their accomplishments in the program.

MODULE-IV

The Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) organized the fourth and final module of its Quality Assurance Training for the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) officials of public and private sector universities in Sindh. The training program was started in February with its First Module held in a local hotel. Later, second, third and fourth round was held in Sindh Madarsatul Islam University in March, May and August 2023 respectively, with 80 hours of rigorous training. Fifteen QEC officials were declared successful after completing their assignments and homework.

The training was conducted by Prof. Dr. Abdul Wahid Usmani and Prof. Dr. Hina Kazmi, who are both experts in Quality Assurance. The training covered a wide range of topics and models, including ADLI and LETCI, the importance of Quality Assurance, the different aspects of Quality Assurance, and the tools and techniques used for Quality Assurance.

The final session of the training began with presentations, opinions, and suggestions from the successful QEC officials. In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. S.M. Tariq Rafi (TI), the Chairman of the Sindh HEC, said that Quality Assurance is a huge responsibility and a great task. He said that even the centuries-old British universities like Cambridge and Oxford have quality assurance agencies. The purpose of these agencies is to visit universities and ensure that the standard of education is not compromised.

Prof. Rafi also said that Quality Assurance experts from the HEC Pakistan and the UK have designed a proforma. A team of experts from this team will soon visit Karachi for one day and will train QEC officials from public and private sector universities on how to fill up the proforma. He said that filling up this form helps improve the ranking of a university. When the proforma is not filled up accurately, important points are lost that are necessary for improving the ranking of the university. Prof. Rafi said that the purpose of the HEC Pakistan and the Sindh HEC is to facilitate, not criticize. He said that this new batch of certified reviewers can render their services for future reviews of universities in terms of Quality Assurance.

Earlier, Mr. Moinuddin Siddiqui, Secretary Sindh HEC, said in his speech that Quality Assurance is a critical component of Higher Education system. It ensures that students are receiving the highest quality education possible. In today’s competitive globalized world, it is more important than ever to have a strong quality assurance system in place. The training that trainees have received will equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively carry out duties as QEC officials. You will be able to identify and address areas of weakness in your universities’ quality assurance systems. You will also be able to develop and implement strategies for improving the quality of education. He thanked the trainers, Prof. Dr. Abdul Wahid Usmani (Director QEC, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi) and Prof. Dr. Hina Kazmi (CEO TAFF Foundation), for their excellent work, providing a comprehensive and valuable training

After the speech, certificates were distributed among the successful QEC officials: Ms Sanam Soomro, Ms. Surraiya Khatoon, Mr. Mohammad Irfan Qasim, Mr. Babar Kalhoro, Prof. Dr. Asif Ali Shah, Dr. Kashif Riaz, Mr. Israr Ahmed Khan, Syed Waqar-ul-Hassan, Dr. Mohammad Iftekhar Mubashir, Mr. Mohammad Adnan Fuzail, Mr. Atif Shahab, Dr. Mohammad Rehan, Wng CDR Jamila Syed, Mr. Mohammad Murad Memo and Ms. Arisha Maham.

The training was organized as part of the Sindh HEC’s efforts to improve the quality of education in Sindh’s universities. The HEC is committed to providing quality assurance training to all QEC officials in Sindh so that they can effectively carry out their duties of ensuring the quality of education in the province’s universities.