ConCept note

1st namibia

Quality Assurance in Higher Education

ConferenCe

theme: The Role of Quality Assurance Systems in

Enhancing Higher Education Outcomes in Namibia

27 - 29 August 2019 | Safari Court Hotel, Windhoek

table of Contents

1. Contents

2. background ............................................................................................ 3

3. objectives ............................................................................................... 4

4. sub-themes ............................................................................................ 4

5. expected outcomes .............................................................................. 5

6. the Conference programme ................................................................ 5

7. target participants ................................................................................. 5

8. Conference Website ............................................................................. 6

9. Call for papers ........................................................................................ 6

10. Conference Registration ....................................................................... 6

11. further Information ................................................................................ 6

3

1. IntRoduCtIon

The Higher Education Act, Act 26 of 2003 provides for the establishment of the National Council

for Higher Education (NCHE) and, among others, mandates it to promote quality assurance

in higher education. The Quality Assurance (QA) System for Higher Education in Namibia

was introduced in 2009. The System has been benchmarked against international trends in

higher education. It comprises of two sub-systems, namely Programme Accreditation and

Institutional Audit, and is supported by manuals and guidelines for implementation. Following

the introduction of the QA System, the NCHE embarked on establishing the necessary structures,

manuals and guidelines for implementation of the System. The actual implementation of the

QA System commenced with programme accreditation in 2014.

Prior to the implementation of the QA System, accreditation of academic programmes was

optional for public higher education institutions (HEIs). Although there was no standardised and

consistent policy, the institutions had internal QA systems of varying quality. The programmes

of private HEIs are still being accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) in terms

of the NQA Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996).

Currently, internal QA systems are unevenly spread between and within institutions. In some

cases, efficient QA systems are in operation, whereas in others they are underdeveloped.

2. baCkgRound

The NCHE in partnership with the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and the three local

universities (University of Namibia, Namibia University of Science and Technology, and the

International University of Management) is pleased to announce a three-day conference on

the role of Quality Assurance Systems in Enhancing Higher Education Outcomes in Namibia. The

conference will take place in Windhoek from 27 to 29 August 2019. The aim of the conference

is to bring together practicing local QA practitioners and researchers to share experiences

and best practices that promote the culture of quality in HEIs. The conference also aims at

attracting QA practitioners beyond the borders of Namibia. While reviewing the progress made

over the past 10 years of the implementation of the QA System, the conference shall aim to

identify challenges and opportunities, and map the way forward regarding the QA System for

Higher Education in Namibia.

4

3. objeCtIves

The objectives of the conference are to:(i) Review and analyse the current status of QA implementation in higher education in

Namibia;(ii) Raise awareness on the benefits of and interrelationship between internal and external

QA in higher education; (iii) Foster information and experiences exchange amongst QA agencies, HEIs and the

industry;(iv) Identify strengths, challenges and capacity development needed for different target

groups, and develop strategies to respond to these challenges.

4. sub-themes

(i) Quality assurance practices in higher education This sub-theme aims to highlight the dynamics of the concept of quality; quality assurance systems; structures and practices in higher education in Africa, the southern region, and Namibia, including Open and Distance Learning (ODL), the use of technology in quality assurance and E-learning.

(ii) Leadership and governance of higher education institutions as lever for quality assuranceUnder this sub-theme, articles are invited from institutions to deliberate on the role of leadership and governance in creating and promoting a quality culture in higher education institutions. Institutional Administrators may also wish to share lessons on strategies for ensuring quality in a financially constrained environment.

(iii) The impact of higher education quality and efficiencies on academic outcomesPapers under this sub-theme should examine the internal and external efficiencies of higher education. On internal efficiency, papers should examine the quality of internal measures aimed at enhancing quality outcome, including general student support and support for students with special needs. On external efficiency, papers should focus on graduate outputs and employability.

(iv) Sustainable models and approaches for quality assurance in higher educationExternal quality assurance agencies; professional bodies, industry experts and academic researchers are invited to submit papers on sustainable development models of quality assurance in higher education. Discourses including interrelationships and benefits of harmonisation amongst different levels of education, institutions, systems, units and operational quality within organisations are welcome.

5

5. expeCted outComes

By the end of the conference, the participants would have:(i) Deepened understanding of internal and external QA systems and approaches

implemented in higher education in Namibia.(ii) Established networking opportunities for effective implementation of innovative

methods of developing QA at the institutional and national levels.(iii) Gained insight into innovative methods and good practices in QA in higher education

in Africa.

It is also expected that a publication on the conference proceedings and papers would be prepared after the conference.

6. the ConfeRenCe pRogRamme

The conference will run for two and half days including an opening ceremony in the afternoon of the first day and an excursion in the morning of the third day. It will comprise:

(i) Official opening ceremony;(ii) Welcoming remarks;

(iii) Keynote address;(iv) Vote of thanks;(v) Presentation by invited guests;

(vi) Presentation of research papers and poster exhibitions in line with sub-themes; (vii) Plenary discussions;(viii) Conference reception; (ix) An excursion; and(x) Official closing.

7. taRget paRtICIpants

Potential participants for the conference are:(i) Ministers in charge of Education, Planning, Information and Communication Technology,

and Labour;(ii) Senior Government officials in education;

(iii) Heads and management teams of national QA agencies;(iv) Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Pro-Vice Chancellors, and senior officials of HEIs; (v) QA practitioners in national QA agencies and HEIs;

(vi) Academics and researchers; (vii) Professional- bodies/councils and associations; (viii) Civil society;(ix) Labour unions;(x) Industry captains/ employers or employers’ associations;

(xi) Students and Students’ Associations; and (xii) Development partners.

6

8. ConfeRenCe WebsIte

The conference website is located at www.naqahec.edu.na. Please visit the site to register and receive updates on the conference.

9. Call foR papeRs

Papers on issues falling within the sub-themes outlined above may be contributed to the conference.

Important dates for submissionsAbstract (800 words, inclusive of tables, figures and key references) 30 June 2019Notification of decision to authors 13 July 2019Deadline for final papers 10 August 2019

Submission guidelines• Persons who wish to present a paper at the conference are invited to submit it via

Registration Form. • Authors are requested to submit a paper of 8 pages minimum and 15 pages maximum,

and deliver a 15 minutes PowerPoint presentation. • Download submission templates at: Abstract Template.

10. ConfeRenCe RegIstRatIon

The deadline for registration is 15 August 2019. The conference registration form can be accessed by clicking Registration Form. Please follow submission instructions on the form after completing it in full.

11. participation fees

Conference registration is free of charge. Accommodation and meals for specific invited guests are also catered for. However, participants shall bear the costs associated with travelling including to and from the conference venue.

12. fuRtheR InfoRmatIon

For further information, please contact: Conference Secretariat at: conference@nche.org.na.

7

notes:

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................