- In present days technological society, large number of trained scientists and technologists are required.
- To meet this demand, many new institutions have been established recently/ are being established even now.
- With rapid expansion of institutions and students for higher education, broadening of purpose and increased amount of public funding involved, methodological approaches were required for quality assurance.
- Quality assurance in higher education is defined as the totality of the system, resources and information devoted for maintaining and improving the quality and standards of teaching, learning, research and scholarship.
- Assessment means the performance evaluation based on certain criteria.
- Accreditation is a mechanism by which both intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions of quality in higher education are addressed through self-evaluation and peer review.
- Accreditation is a self-regulation and peer review process, adopted by educational community to improve and sustain the quality and relevance of higher education.
- Accreditation differs from recognition for funding where the emphasis is on availability of minimum infrastructures.
- Recognition is one time process, where as accreditation is a time bound and recurring process.
- There may be institutional accreditation or specialized program accreditation.
- Accreditation may be voluntary or compulsory.
- An institution/program can be accredited by more than one agency.
COURSE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE, ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION
QUALITY ASSURANCE, ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION