1. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Quantitative and Qualitative effects of Quality Assurance reviews of academic and support units on student pass rates at a South African Public University
Dr Rajen Padayachi
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

2. Overview Introduction Definition of quality assurance
Prevalent QA systems
Research design and methodology
Results: Support units and academic units
Qualitative aspects
Discussion
Conclusion

3. Introduction
Over the last twenty years that QA processes introduced – very little evidence of impact of QA.
Banta (2010) only 6% of 146 profiles evaluated – contained evidence that student learning had improved.
Presently public perceptions - greater scrutiny and sceptical about government attitudes.
Quality reviews – informs public – provides accessible information.

4. Definition of quality in HE
Variety of definitions abound – as institutions have broad autonomy.
Implies relative measure against a common standard.
In Higher Education, such a common standard does not exist.
Quality in HE – refers to “fitness for purpose”.

5. Prevalent QA System
During last 20 years – management of academic QA based on key performance indicators.
University decision making – evidence based and business intelligence tools that is data driven.
Challenges : 1) Falling pass rates/ graduation rates.
2) Students entering from inferior secondary schooling.
In SA – CHE Criteria extensively reviewed.
Currently QA foci moved into classroom with teaching and learning focus – Quality Enhancement Project.

6. RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODOLOGY
Mixed method approach
Combination of Qualitative approach – questionnaire designed to ascertain feedback from Program heads that had their programme reviewed.
Quantitative approach – on obtaining academic indicators before and after review – student enrolment/ pass rates data etc.
Reviews of Accounting, Mathematics and Pharmacy Academic programmes and Management Studies Support unit @ UKZN were analysed as case study research.

7. Results : School of Management Studies
School of Management studies support unit reviewed in 2009:
Significant upswing in graduation rate of 19% ( grads) since review to 22% ( grads)

8. Results : Accounting academic programme
Accounting programme was reviewed in 2012.
Significant improvement in pass rate from 2012(61,5%) to 2013 (66,8%).

9. Results : Pharmacy programme
Pharmacy programme was reviewed in 2009.
Pharmacy programme pass rate significantly increased from 96,5% (2009) – peaked to 99,1% (2012) – slightly declined to 98,9% (2013)

10. Results: Mathematics Programme
Mathematics programme reviewed in 2008.
Mathematics pass rate declined from 75,6% (2008) to 69% (2013) even though increasing in 2011 (71,9%).

11. Qualitative reflection on QA process
Accounting programme - “ process was sound”.
Mathematics programme – “ review can be beneficial to a programme”
Pharmacy programme – “university has good policies for assuring quality of academic programmes ”

12. Perspectives from Programme Heads: Quality of review process
Pharmacy Programme Head: “Very good”
Accounting Programme: “Good”
Mathematics Programme: “Satisfactory”
This indicates that a level of consistency needs to be applied in the review of institutional programmes.

13. Recommendations on improving QA Process
Make review process all inclusive of all the role players in the academic programmes.
Extend the period of writing and editing the peer review report.
Improve the turn around time of the review process.

14. Factors requiring attention after review process
Curriculum framework
Design of its component parts
Teaching approaches
Assessment
Student support
Infrastructure
Staffing

15. Summative conclusion
Summatively, QA reviews have shown a positive effect on pass rates and graduation rates in :
Accounting Academic Programme
Management Studies Support Programme
Pharmacy Academic Programme

16. Discussion
Thank you
Any suggestions?