Quality Assurance Directorate

Quality Improvement Strategies

The Quality Assurance Directorate has spearheaded several innovative quality enhancement strategies which include: Plan, Do, Check and Act (PDCA) Model, Interfaculty Peer Review System, QA Orientation and Training of Staff, Development of Quality Assurance Guidelines and Data Collection Instruments, among others.

1. Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA) Model

   To monitor the implementation of its Strategic Plan, the University adopted the Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA) model. Hence, every year all University units craft their annual Work Plans which are collectively approved by University Management and Heads of Departments. The Work Plans are then implemented and evaluated in June and December yearly. The model is also an internationally acclaimed quality assurance strategy.

2. Interfaculty Peer Review System

   The University has introduced an interfaculty peer review system. Interfaculty review ensures cross fertilisation of ideas in the University. The process entails University Faculties reviewing each other's progress based on the instrument which has 6 sections. The 6 sections are as follows:

   1. Assessment of quality assurance systems in the development and implementation of academic programmes. This section focuses on the following:
   • Programme specifications including expected learning outcomes
   • Programme structure and content
   • Teaching and learning strategy
   • Student assessment
   • Academic staff quality
   • Support staff quality
   • Student quality
   • Student advice and support
   • Facilities and infrastructure
   • Quality assurance of teaching and learning process
   • Staff development activities
   • Stakeholders feedback
   • Output and outcome
   • Stakeholders satisfaction
   2. Assessment of community engagement
   3. Assessment of research, innovation and industrialisation activities
   4. Assessment of execution of roles by Chairpersons of Departments
   5. Assessment of execution of roles by Faculty Deans
   6. Assessment of faculty statistical data

3. Quality Assurance Committees and Circles

   On the basis of the QA policy, the University established several QA Committees. These include Department and Faculty QA committees for teaching departments. Quality Assurance for non-teaching departments is coordinated through Quality Circles. Representatives from the various QA Committees and Quality Circles constitute the University QA Committee which is chaired by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

4. QA Orientation and Training of Staff

   QA is a relatively new concept in Higher Education. Hence, as part of induction and capacity building in QA, all LSU staff undergo QA training. The training usually covers key aspects of QA such as:

   1. Origins and importance of quality assurance in higher education world-wide
   2. Multi-definitions of quality of education
   3. Creating quality consciousness in the University Community
   4. Promoting internationalisation of the University
   5. Promoting 21st century teaching and learning
   6. Using SERVQUAL model to assess quality of service delivery in the University
   7. Promoting community service among students and staff
   8. Integrating strategic planning with quality assurance
   9. Using the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check and Act) Model for continuous quality improvement
   10. Role of ZIMCHE as an external Quality Assurance Agency.

5. Quality Assurance Guidelines

   The University has developed quality assurance guidelines which is a standard practice in world-class universities. These guidelines are useful reference points. In this regard, LSU has developed guidelines on:

   • Peer review of teaching
   • Course development
   • Student services
   • Evaluation research quality
   • Dissertation supervision
   • Programme design and development
   • Course development
   • Student attachment

   More QA guidelines will be developed based on need.

6. Stakeholder feedback collection instruments

   One key component of quality assurance management is to solicit feedback from clients and stakeholders. The key clients and stakeholders are the students (both current and alumni). To this end, the University has developed several instruments to gather feedback from students focusing on their satisfaction with:

   • The learning environment
   • Their programmes of study
   • Library services
   • Teaching and learning

7. Community Engagement/Community Service

   Internationally, community service has become a very important component of higher education. In fact, community engagement is now viewed as an important component of quality of higher education. For example, the African Union Quality Assurance Standards and Guidelines in Higher Education consider community service as an important aspect of quality assurance in higher education. Thus, the University encourages its students and staff to partake in community service.

8. LSU Higher Education Consultancy

   To demonstrate its commitment to quality assurance, community service and government thrust on producing goods and services, QAD provides quality assurance training services to other educational institutions such as schools, colleges and universities. QAD also provides its training services to less financially endowed groups and organisations as part of its social responsibility and volunteer programme. The training courses available include:

   • Quality Assurance-related Courses
   • College and university-related courses
   • General leadership, public policy and management courses

   QAD also provides customized training courses. Depending on the client, some services can be provided as part of University community service and volunteerism while others will be provided at a cost.