Abstract
This chapter explores the need, role, and challenges of promoting internal quality assurance (IQA) through institutional quality units, specifically Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs), in Pakistani universities. Using an exploratory case study design, data were collected from 17 participants through interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. The findings highlight the importance of IQA for the effective implementation of external quality assurance (QA). The QECs were found to contribute to IQA by raising awareness among faculty, staff, and students regarding quality aspects of their work. However, the QECs' role appears to be primarily procedural, with limited impact observed on the enhancement of teaching and learning quality. This is attributed to challenges such as the QECs lack of autonomy, staff shortages, limited stakeholder engagement and ineffective technological integration.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Academic Accreditation and Evaluation in Higher Education |
| Subtitle of host publication | Practices, Experiences, and Quality Assurance |
| Publisher | IGI Global |
| Pages | 137-161 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9798369356104 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9798369356081 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Feb 2025 |