The Accreditation of Learning Programmes is both a status and process of external quality review used by HEIs to scrutinise higher education programmes for quality assurance and quality improvement. Thus, by accepting accreditation status, HEIs agree to uphold the quality standards set by the HEA, and also agree to periodically.
As a status, accreditation provides public notification that an institution or programme meets standards of quality set forth by the HEA.
Moreover, as a process, accreditation reflects that in achieving recognition by the Authority, the institution or programme is committed to self-study and external review by one’s peers in seeking not only to meet standards but to continuously seek ways in which to enhance the quality of higher education provided.
A Learning Programme is a course of learning and/or research, leading to a qualification, upon successful completion of a process of assessment and certification.
- Aims of Learning Programme Accreditation
The specific aims of programme accreditation are to:
- Set and safeguard the quality of academic programmes offered by higher education institutions;
- Grant recognition status by means of “Accreditation” to learning programmes that meet the requirements of Zambia Qualification Authority;
- Ensure continuous improvement of the quality of standards of programmes;
- Give the public independent accountable information on the quality of programmes of higher education institutions; and
- Develop further the development of institution arrangement for ensuring and enhancing quality of programmes of higher education institutions.
- Accreditation Criteria and Components
The Accreditation of Learning Programmes is based on the Assessment against the following Criteria:
Criterion |
Components |
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1. Aims and Objectives |
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2. Curriculum |
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3. Assessment |
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4. Staff |
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5. Facilities for Teaching and Learning Support |
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6. Internal Quality Assurance |
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7. Financial Resources |
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