Quality Assurance at the Language Centre: An on- going Journey Khalid Al Kaabi Sarah Khan Pooja Sancheti

What is Quality Assurance (QA)? Quality Assurance in education is an ongoing process ensuring the delivery of agreed standards. These agreed standards should ensure that an educational institution has the potential to achieve a high quality of content and results. ( European Student Handbook on Quality Assurance in Higher Education).

QA and its role at the LC continually maintain educational standards verify academic procedures monitor quality of intended standards make positive changes to achieve the standards enhance quality of education provided

LCQA members Pooja Sancheti – Khalid Al Kaabi– Sarah Khan –

Guidelines for program standards Implementation of policies and procedures Program review Reflection report Suggestions for Improvement Action plan with timeline Standardized policies and procedures Identifying key performance indicators Generating evidence list Self Evaluation Internal Review Cycle

Accomplishments since Spring 2011 LC annual performance report Internal audit questionnaire for Foundation Program English and Credit courses End-semester report template Staff satisfaction survey Teachers’ Academic satisfaction survey

Accomplishments since Spring 2011 (Contd.) New course teacher survey (CTS) CC/ PC performance review Students’ committee representation proposal Review of policies and procedures, e.g., observation policy, disciplinary regulations policy, etc. Review of unit charters Final grade appeal investigation

Work in progress Students satisfaction survey Course reflection survey for teachers LC annual report template Review of students’ guide Review of staff handbook Analysis of data collected through staff satisfaction survey

Work in progress (Contd.) SWOT analysis for QAC Strategic plans for LCQAC Chapter on QA in the FP book Review of policies, e.g., students’ attendance policy, sick leave policy for teachers, etc.

Future Plans Design a Total Quality Manual (TQM) for the LC Carry out surveys and analyze data Write recommendation reports Carry out pilot program review (Fall 2012) Regular QA updates on the LC webpage

Future Plans (Contd.) Clear health and safety policy for teachers Clear health and safety policy for students Participate in the university’s next cycle of quality audit by OAAA Professional training for QA team Training workshops for the LC staff

LC staff involvement in QA procedures Familiarize yourself with curriculum documents and staff handbook Be informed about the learning outcomes of the course and general policies and procedures Implement the policies at program level Participate in feedback surveys Help in keeping & collecting evidence Continue making suggestions for improvement When in doubt, ask for clarification