Frame Factors and a Quality Assurance Agency in an "Embryonic" Higher Education System

Autor/in	Hopkin, Anthony G.
Titel	Frame Factors and a Quality Assurance Agency in an "Embryonic" Higher Education System
Quelle	In: Quality in Higher Education, 10 (2004) 3, S.181-195 (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1353-8322
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Higher Education; Educational Quality; Quality Control; Case Studies; Evaluation Methods; Inferences; Botswana + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Quality of education; Bildungsqualität; Qualitätskontrolle; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Inference; Inferenz
Abstract	Using the Affiliations Unit of the University of Botswana as a case study, this paper explores how the operational milieu of an External Quality Assurance Agency (EQAA) impacts on its role and function. This milieu is described and selected frame factors are identified and evaluated, including the size of the country; the role of a hegemonic university; the macro- and micro-political context; personnel factors in a developmental context; and external pressures. Consideration is given to external quality assurance agencies in different contexts. The way in which an EQAA in Botswana operates within and responds to its context is then assessed using a three-year project as a case study. Reference is made to the issues and problems that emerge when quality assurance systems are introduced in higher education systems. Attention is then paid to the proposition that, whilst higher education systems differ greatly from country to country, these systems can be placed within certain broad categories. Three categories are postulated: 'mature' systems, 'evolving' systems and 'embryonic' systems. A rationale for this classification is offered, and some inferences are made. The discussion then focuses on the ramification of this for the installation and development of quality assurance processes and measures by an EQAA in a developmental context. Finally, a hypothesis is offered: the less mature the higher education system is, the easier it is to install integrated quality assurance processes and measures. (Author).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10