1. The Minister for Higher
Education
and Scientific Research has requested
information
of the readiness of institutions for
applying for
accreditation.
2. As part of the reform
program for
higher education, and in order to optimise
the efforts
made by institutions in the transitional
period 2005-
2008, the QAAP wishes to adopt and implement
a follow-up
process to review the progress in
institutions that
have completed funded projects and a
developmental
engagement in the period 2005-2007.
3. Up to January 2007, 24
institutions
have completed developmental engagements.
During the
academic year 2006-07, up to 24 additional
institutions
will receive a site-visit. Summary
information from
the developmental engagements and reports
provides
an assessment of the range and the degree of
difficulty
of improvement plans that the institutions
should
be implementing to be ready to apply for
accreditation.
This proposal sets out a new follow-up
method, together
with the required evidence base, the
criteria and
a set of questions.
4. Follow-up is a standard
phase for
quality assurance and accreditation
processes in higher
education and is specified as good practice
by INQAAHE
and ENQA.