Directorate of Quality Enhancement

Introduction

The Directorate of Quality Enhancement was established at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), on 14th May 2007. The Directorate is entrusted with the task to promote quality education, and that with effective management of standards of quality of programmes at all levels. It requires to develop quality assurance processes and methods of evaluation, with the aim to ensure that quality of education of the university is at par with established higher education standards. The establishment of quality of education is an overarching phenomenon with the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) which encompasses curriculum development, subject and staff development, along with research and allied activities. The QEC of Allama Iqbal Open University is recognized as a member of Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN); and accordingly, the academic programmes/activities of the university are displayed on the university website for the general information of the APQN, and other stakeholders. This QEC is, therefore, responsible to co-ordinate for academic activities and follow up with the departments for activities in line with the self-assessment manual of Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), HEC.

Functions

Quality Standards

The QEC is responsible for defining clear and explicit standards in line with HEC guidelines, and to conduct a continuous review process to monitor performance of all academic processes to meet regulatory and international requirements.

Programme Evaluation Process

It introduces and promotes assessment and evaluation culture within the university to enhance academic quality, through Self-Assessment (SA) exercise across all academic departments on the basis of HEC criteria.

Academic Audit

The QEC plays a pivotal role in performing academic audit of the programmes by making programme teams, assessment teams or through facilitating institutional performance evaluation visits.

Memberships

The Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) aims at developing associations with national and international bodies so that AIOU can learn and improve from experience of the peers in the developed world. Presently, AIOU has membership of association with following bodies/networks:

Commonwealth of Learning
Asia Pacific Quality Network

Downloads

The ‘HEC Manuals’, ‘QEC Forms’ and ‘General Documents’ should be available on ‘downloads’ page. The downloads/proformas are accessible on following URL:

URL: https://aiou.edu.pk/Quality

Quality Enhancement Web Page

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3 Objectives

https://aiou.edu.pk/downloads-2The very objective of establishment of Quality Enhancement Cell at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is to contribute towards establishment of knowledge society which serves as an engine of growth, which ensures economic uplift. The university is cognizant to the fact that establishment of quality enhancement cell is a key towards continuous improvement of the quality standards of the university, through 3600 feedback on the programmes, curricula, faculty, academic as well as administrative processes, and the allied infrastructure.

Major objectives of the Quality Enhancement Cell of AIOU are as follows:

To support vision and mission of the university
To participate in training workshops and quality related academic events for creation of knowledge through close collaboration in the area of quality assurance
To acquire memberships and certifications of national and international accreditation bodies
To develop QA policies of the university in line with guidelines, regulations, and criteria of the Quality Assurance Agency of the Higher Education Commission

Future Plans

Vision

To attain excellence in providing quality education and services to our students, and setting landmark in distance education and emerge as a trend setter institution.

Mission

To continuously improve quality of university programmes and bringing them to the internationally competitive standards through strategic planning, assessment, continuous monitoring of academic programmes, and research activities in line with the directives of the Higher Education Commission.

Contact Details