Page 66 - AUN-QA

The following considerations should be made before carrying out a self-assessment:

 Management must fully support the self-assessment and provide access to
relevant information that is needed for an effective quality assurance system. The
self-assessment serves to acquire structural insight into the operation and
performance of the institution;
 Gaining management support to carry out a self- assessment is not enough. The
whole organisation has to prepare itself for the self-assessment. Assessing
quality is more than evaluating the performance of a programme; it is also about
developing and shaping the institution. Staff members should be made
responsible for the quality and all staff should be involved in the self-assessment.
 Writing a critical self-evaluation of the quality assurance system demands good
organisation and coordination. Primarily, someone has to lead and coordinate the
self-assessment process. The chosen leader should have good contacts within
the institution including key management staff, faculty and support staff; have
access to obtain the required information at all levels; and have the authority to
make appointments with stakeholders.
 It is desirable to install a working group in charge of the self-assessment. It is
important that the group is structured in such a way that the involvement of all
sections is assured. The working group should be in charge of the self-
assessment, gathering and analysing data and drawing conclusions.
 As it is assumed that the self-assessment is supported by the institution, it is
important that all staff members should be acquainted with the contents of the
SAR. The working group might organise a workshop or seminar to discuss or
communicate the SAR.

3.3 Preparation of Self-Assessment Report (SAR)

Figure 3.1 illustrates the approach for preparing SAR which encompasses Plan-Do-
Check-Act (PDCA).

Figure 3.1 – PDCA Approach to SAR Development

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