Definition of Quality Assurance Quality assurance may relate to a programme, an institution or a whole higher education system.

In each case quality assurance is all of those attitudes, objects, actions and procedures which, through their existence and use and together with the quality control activities, ensure that appropriate academic standards are being maintained and enhanced in and by the programme, institution or system.- International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) in 1992 Quality Assurance Terms of Reference 1. Review curriculum, teaching staff qualifications and student admissions requirements according to the benchmark of university academic programmes. 2. This should include consideration of the characteristics of a safe and excellent training environment 3. Conduct site visits to ascertain quality implementation of the academic programme 4. Report annually throughout the lifespan of the programmes on development and implementation of improved quality control systems. 5. Quality assurance report to be made to_____________________ 6. The review should consider how the outcomes of quality assurance activities are reported, having regard to the purpose to be served by the reporting methods, their accessibility and transparency for the intended audiences and the need both to encourage improvement and highlight failings. 7. Address both quality (appropriate and effective teaching, support, assessment and opportunities for learning provided for students) and standards (levels of achievement that a student has to reach to gain an award) as two distinct but interlinked concepts. 8. The review will examine whether the current processes provide sufficient assurance of the quality of outcomes and of individual trainees and their progress through training. This should include considering options for indicators of quality in training. Core Principles The need for fairness, equality and consistency in the provision of education and training Proportionality: The system must balance rigor and effectiveness with recognition of the need to minimize regulatory burdens and acknowledgement of risk. Flexibility: The model must be capable of being applied regardless of changes to the way that education and training are delivered locally.

 Working with others: The model must seek to make the best possible use of information and activities undertaken by others. Adding value: Activities undertaken for the purposes of quality assurance must demonstrably add value in relation to the overall purpose described in paragraph 4 above.