Mr. Zahid Participates in 2nd International Conference on QA in Higher Education

The Pakistan Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PNQAHE) organized the 2nd International Conference on Quality Assurance in Higher Education from April 23 to 25, 2019 at University of Education (UoE), Lahore. The conference, organized in collaboration with HEC and Khyber Medical University (KMU), was attended by QEC representatives of higher education institutions and leading scholars, researchers and educationists from across the world. Participants included Dr. Selva Staub from Turkey, Asst. Prof. Donald Staub from Turkey, Prof. Kethamonie Naidoo from South Africa, Dr. Bassam Al Hamad from Bahrain, Dr. Khalid Azim Khan from Saudi Arabia and Dr. Bahar Gun from Turkey.

The first day of the conference was reserved for pre-conference workshops on a range of topics pertaining to quality assurance. Mr. Zahid Hussain (ADQEC, DHA Suffa University) participated in workshops titled “Strategic Planning for Your Organization” and “KPIs and Benchmarking – Improving the Performance of HEIs”.

At the inaugural session on the second day, Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Arshad Javaid (Vice Chancellor, KMU) and Guest of Honour Prof. Dr. Shafique-ur-Rehman (Adviser of Quality Assurance, Higher Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) emphasized the role of PNQAHE in improving the education standards with the joint effort of QECs and discussed initiatives that were in the pipeline to enhance the quality of education in Pakistan. Over 50 research papers were presented at the conference and keynote speeches were delivered by the speakers. In the closing ceremony, Mr. Riaz Ahmed Qureshi (former advisor to the Quality Assurance Department of the HEC) highlighted the background of quality assurance of the HEC and its scope to internationalize programs. He appreciated the establishment of PNQAHE and hoped the conference would provide a strong base to introduce quality culture in the higher education sector.

 

Director QEC Attends QAA Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs

On April 15 and 16, 2019, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of Higher Education Commission (HEC) held a Progress Review Meeting and Training for Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) of higher education institutions at Grand Ambassador Hotel, Islamabad. The meeting was presided by Dr. Nadia Tahir (Managing Director QAA) and conducted by Engr. Shoaib Irshad (Deputy Director QAA).

On the first day, QEC representatives delivered presentations on the performance of their universities in the year 2018-19. Engr. Akhtar Nadyme (Director QEC, DHA Suffa University) presented the yearly progress report of DHA Suffa University against institutional performance evaluation, program self-assessment, accreditation and review of MS/PhD programs. The report was accepted without any objections. On the second day, QEC representatives were trained on the revised template of YPR along with required databases and acceptable evidences against each parameter of the revised criteria.

The meeting offered a platform for QEC representatives of various universities to interact and share best practices in quality assurance with each other.

DHA Suffa University Conducts Self-Institutional Performance Evaluation

DHA Suffa University conducted a Self-Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE) on April 11 and 12, 2019. The objective of the IPE was to self-evaluate the performance effectiveness of the university based on 11 Quality Standards defined in IPE Manual of HEC. The standards outline major areas that higher education institutions need to focus on in order to secure recognition for good governance and quality education.

The IPE panel comprised of one external reviewer (Prof. Dr. A. Razak Mahar, Director QEC, Shah Abdul Latif University) and two internal reviewers (Dr. Haider Ali, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engr. Abdul Waheed, Controller of Examinations).

The review process commenced with a brief introduction of the university processes and a presentation on the Compliance Report of IPE 2017-18 by Engr. Akhtar Nadyme (Director QEC). Afterwards, the University Portfolio Report (UPR) along with evidences of responses to questions listed under the 11 Quality Standards was thoroughly reviewed by the IPE panel.

The second day of the IPE was dedicated to meeting the academic and administrative heads of departments, faculty members and students to examine the quality of processes at DHA Suffa University. The panel also toured the campus and visited the library, classrooms and laboratories to observe the facilities available on campus. The panel appreciated the efforts of DHA Suffa University in maintaining and enhancing the culture of quality.

The self-review process was facilitated by the QEC at DHA Suffa University in collaboration with all the academic and administrative departments.

Workshop on Putting Bloom’s Taxonomy to Work

On March 27, 2019, 57 faculty members of DHA Suffa University participated in a workshop on Putting Bloom’s Taxonomy to Work. The workshop, conducted by the Quality Enhancement Cell of IBA Karachi and facilitated by Prof. Dr. Qaiser Munir, offered a platform for faculty members to learn practical tips on how to integrate Bloom’s Taxonomy into their teaching.

The Quality Enhancement Cell of DHA Suffa University facilitated the workshop by arranging virtual connectivity through HEC’s video conferencing network for faculty members to participate from the Conference Room of the University.