Page 70 - AUN-QA

The purpose of the assessment is not about the assessment ratings but rather on
the continuous improvement of the quality assurance system implemented. As the
assessment will be based mostly on objective evidences, it is important that the
university has prepared a well written SAR and get ready all key documents and
records for assessment. Information about the university and programme should be
prepared and presented to the assessment team. This would allow them to have an
overview of the university history, policies, vision and mission and programmes. SAR
and key documents should be translated to a language that is understood by the
assessment team. An interpreter may be present during the site assessment, if
necessary. The translated copy of the SAR should be sent to the assessment team
1
in advance – at least 1 /2 to 2 months before the site assessment.

The university should assemble key management representatives, SAR team and
guides or interpreter to host the assessment. The key management representatives
could give the commitment and support for the assessment and giving the
presentation of the university, faculty or programme. The SAR team should be
present for clarification of the SAR and serve as contact person(s) for the exercise.

Guides should be available to bring the assessors to the site as well as making
documents and records available; and serve as a liaison between the assessors and
the staff of the faculty or university. Interpreter may be engaged to translate
documents, interview questions or responses.

Prepare and notify the interviewees in advance about the assessment. It is important
to share with them the intent and purpose of the assessment. Key office holders and
fair representation from staff and students should be invited for the assessment
exercise. External parties such as alumni, employers and other stakeholders should
also be invited for the interview.

For internal assessment, experts from adjacent faculties may be considered.
However, there are some conditions that members have to meet:

 they should act independently
 there should be no conflicts of interest. Members should have no advantage
through their verdict
 they must be accepted by the faculty to be assessed.

It is also possible to invite retired staff on the grounds that they are more
independent (and have more time available). However, it is also important to have
members still working in the field and with a knowledge of recent developments.

Depending on the types of quality assessment, an assessment team appointed to
carry out the quality assessment may consist of 2 to 5 members. The members of
the team may include:

 a chairperson, totally independent and unconnected with the institution to be
assessed. The chair does not need to be an expert in the field, but should have
the experience with management of higher education institutions and the
development of quality assurance in higher education.

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