2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

BLENDING ASSURANCE & ENHANCEMENT FOR EFFECTIVE REVIEWS

The conceptualisation and operation of an internal review at Bahrain Polytechnic

AGENDA

2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

1. Background2. Review v Audit3. Why Is It Important?4. Consequences5. Finding the Balance6. Blending Assurance &

Enhancement7. Outcomes

– 3 –

2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

AUDIT VERSUS INTERNAL REVIEW

Audit: ‘A systematic and independent examination of processes, documents and records to confirm alignment with identified quality standards’.

Review: ‘ To make sound judgements and decisions about the improvement of, continuation of, or changes to what is being reviewed’.

– 4 –

2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

THE ENHANCEMENT – ASSURANCE CONTINUUM

Practitioners

InstitutionalBodies

External Stakeholders

Enhancement          Management  Assurance

Internal                     External

– 5 –

2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

For academics, QMS emphasises:

• Imposition over Negotiation and Social Construction

• Assurance, Accountability, Audit & Assessment over Enhancement, Empowerment, Enthusiasm & Excellence (Houston, 2008)

• Industrialisation of the Language for Education (Law, 2010)

– 6 –

2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

CONSEQUENCES

Without engagement:

• Culture of managerialism and compliance• Alienation• Disaffection

– 7 –

2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

FINDING THE BALANCEMiddle Leaders hold a pivotal role:

• Turn conceptual frameworks into practical activity and outcomes, thus achieving assurance and compliance.

• Turn best practice from tutors into policy and procedure, thus achieving enhancement.

• Our purpose: ‘To make sound judgements and decisions about the improvement of, continuation of, or changes to what is being reviewed’.

– 8 –

2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

BLENDING ASSURANCE & ENHANCEMENT

Assurance• Terms of Reference

• Review Team• Review Process• Report

Enhancement• Working Groups• Focus Groups• Workshops• Communicate

– 9 –

2nd ConferenceNational Authority

for Qualifications & Quality Assurance

of Education & Training

FEB 2013

© The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker’s, and not the NAQQAET          

OUTCOME

Assurance, accountability and audit blended with engagement, empowerment, enthusiasm & excellence.

• 25 recommendations passed at QA and Senior Management levels

• Logged feedback from tutors positive and constructive

• Working groups continue to contribute to development of English provision.