A PAPER PRESENTED BY AWAAH FRED SECRETARY GENERAL ALL-AFRICA STUDENTS UNION (AASU) THE ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN QUALITY ASSURANCE ORGANISED BY DAAD/UNESCO 15 TH – 17 TH NOVEMER 2012, DAKAR SENEGAL

ALL AFRICA STUDENTS UNION Formed : KNUST as the Africa National Students Organisation in February1972 Membership: Opened to all national student unions in Africa. Leadership: Based on elections every four years. Structure: Executive Committee, Secretariat and Support Staff. Core Mandate: Advocacy for educational reforms & defend rights of students on the continent. Funding: GoG

WHAT IS QUALITY ASSURANCE? UNESCO Quality Assurance is the systematic review of educational programmes to ensure that acceptable standards of education, scholarship and infrastructure are being maintained. AASU(2012) Quality Assurance is an evolving mechanism that ensures the continuous improvement on educational standards to meet or exceed the expectations of educational stakeholders.

THE ROLE OF STUDENTS 1) Understand educational policies by getting involved in decision making (Be part of boards) 2) Enjoin ourselves to taking initiatives that underscore the relevance of quality education GETFUND 3) Get committed to a minimal level of cost sharing for improved conditions ( SRC dues for projects) 4) Peer advocates on issues of quality( quality clubs) 5) Recommend to institutions their perspective on improving on education.

THE ROLE OF CORPORATE BODIES/ PRIVATE SECTOR/EMPLOYERS 1. Should have close collaborations with institutions to modify course contents 2. Inject capital for the improvement of academic institutions. (Access bank and UPS) 3. Provide financial assistance to students (scholarships) 4. Offer opportunities for internship and industrial attachments 5. Should have periodic interaction with students to share their experiences and expectations from graduates

THE ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 1. Ensure a good student-teacher ratio 2. Improve the generation of internal funds to maintain and continually enhance educational quality ( Business Development Units) 3. Research to ensure that the course contents are continually improved to meet the demands of the times/industry 4. Apart from local accreditations, accreditation should be sought from other international accreditation bodies to ensure the protection of certificates and work abroad 5. Equip lecturers with the appropriate skills, knowledge and attitude needed to deliver effectively.

THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT 1) Provide and improve academic infrastructure 2) Multi-lateral standards should be negotiated to ensure acceptability of certificates from each country. 3) Improve conditions of service of academic staff. 4) Provide financial support to students 5) Set up independent educational commissions to oversee educational policies such that change in governments does not affect educational policies.

THE ROLE OF ACCREDITATION BODIES 1) Standardize qualification for lecturers 2) Transparency in accreditation of institutions devoid of partisan and corrupt influences 3) Standardize grading systems 4) Periodic monitoring and evaluation of accredited institutions to ensure institutions are not falling below standards 5) There should be a student representative on the accreditation boards

THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS 1) Aid in the capacity building of all stakeholders to guarantee quality assurance 2) Create interactive educational policy dialogue platforms to enable stakeholders lay their perspectives on improving quality assurance 3) Support student organizations to champion the advocacy drive of quality assurance in educational institutions. 4) Create inter-governmental platforms to harmonize the quality assurance standards in various countries.

ALL AFRICA STUDENTS UNION P. O. BOX M274 ACCRA-GHANA / Thank You