Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad, Rector (Internationalization)
Office 01, Basement, Rawal Institute of Health Science (RIHS)-Islamabad-Pakistan
Email: shakeel@rihs.edu.pk

The Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development (CQAAD) serves as a central position within educational institutions, designed to promote excellence in academic practices and ensure alignment with both national and international regulatory frameworks. This center operates under a comprehensive vision and mission, with clear objectives and strategies that aim to elevate the quality of education, enhance institutional performance, and accelerate continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and research.

Vision:-

The Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development envisions becoming a leading institution that ensures the highest standards of academic excellence, innovation, and integrity in education. By integrating global best practices and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the center aims to enhance institutional performance, enrich the student experience, and contribute to the development of a knowledge-based society. The vision is to be recognized as a catalyst for academic quality and innovation, driving institutions toward excellence in education and research.

Mission:-

The mission of the CQAAD is to uphold and enhance the academic standards of the institution by developing, implementing, and monitoring quality assurance mechanisms that are in line with national and international regulatory bodies. It aims to ensure continuous improvement in educational programs, faculty development, research output, and institutional governance. The center seeks to provide leadership in creating an environment of accountability, transparency, and excellence, ensuring that all academic and administrative processes meet or exceed the expectations of accrediting bodies and stakeholders.

Objectives:-

The Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development operates with the following key objectives:

1. Academic Excellence:

To develop and maintain robust quality assurance systems that ensure academic programs meet international standards, while continuously improving the curriculum, teaching methods, and learning outcomes.

2. Compliance with Regulatory Frameworks:

To ensure full compliance with the guidelines and standards set by national accrediting bodies and international accrediting organizations, developing a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

3. Faculty Development:

To provide professional development opportunities for faculty members, enabling them to enhance their teaching skills, research capabilities, and contributions to academic scholarship.

4. Research Innovation:

To promote research activities that align with the institution's strategic goals and global research trends, ensuring that faculty and students contribute to advancements in knowledge and society.

5. Student-Centered Learning:

: To accelerate a learning environment that prioritizes student engagement, critical thinking, and the acquisition of competencies that align with both local and international job markets.

6. Benchmarking and Best Practices:

To continuously benchmark institutional performance against national and international standards and best practices in academic development, ensuring competitive and high-quality outcomes

7. Internal and External Audits:

To conduct periodic internal and external academic audits to assess program quality, institutional governance, and compliance with accreditation standards.

8. Accreditation and Certification:

To obtain and maintain national and international accreditation for programs, ensuring that degrees and qualifications meet the highest standards of quality and recognition worldwide.

Strategies:

The Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development employs several strategic initiatives to achieve its objectives. These strategies ensure that the center operates effectively, aligned with both institutional goals and regulatory requirements:

1. Development of Quality Assurance Frameworks:

Establish comprehensive quality assurance frameworks that integrate the principles of international quality assurance agencies such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization), INQAAHE (International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education), and local regulatory bodies like the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Pakistan Nursing Council and Pakistan Pharmacy Council. These frameworks are designed to ensure rigorous monitoring and evaluation of academic programs, faculty performance, and institutional processes.

2. Curriculum and Program Review:

Implement regular reviews of academic programs to assess their relevance, academic rigor, and alignment with industry needs. This includes establishing advisory boards comprising academic experts, industry professionals, and alumni to provide feedback on curricula and program structures.

3. Faculty Development Programs:

Design and conduct faculty development initiatives that focus on modern pedagogical techniques, research methodologies, and academic leadership. These programs include workshops, seminars, certifications, and international faculty exchange programs to expose educators to global best practices in teaching and research.

4. Student Assessment and Learning Outcomes:

Develop standardized methods for assessing student performance and learning outcomes, ensuring that assessments are aligned with program objectives and international competencies. Implement the use of feedback mechanisms such as student evaluations and peer reviews to identify areas for improvement.

5. Research Excellence Initiatives:

Encourage research excellence by providing institutional support through research grants, collaborative opportunities, and partnerships with international research institutions. This includes setting up research centers of excellence within the institution to focus on key thematic areas aligned with global trends.

6. Accreditation and Compliance Monitoring:

Establish an Accreditation Committee to ensure that all academic programs are regularly reviewed and accredited by relevant national and international accrediting bodies. This involves staying updated on changing regulatory requirements and implementing changes as needed to maintain compliance.

7. Internal Quality Audits:

Conduct internal audits of academic programs, administrative departments, and student support services to assess their alignment with quality standards. These audits are complemented by external audits and peer reviews to provide a holistic view of institutional performance.

8. Stakeholder Engagement:

Actively engage stakeholders, including students, faculty, alumni, employers, and regulatory bodies, in the process of quality assurance and academic development. This involves regular feedback collection, surveys, and consultation meetings to ensure that institutional practices align with stakeholder expectations and needs.

9. ICT Integration in Academic Processes:

Promote the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to streamline academic processes, improve learning outcomes, and enhance student support services. This includes the implementation of learning management systems (LMS), online feedback tools, and digital platforms for curriculum delivery.

10. Sustainability in Academic Practices:

Embed principles of sustainability into the institution's academic and administrative processes, ensuring that education programs address global challenges like climate change, social equity, and economic development.

Alignment with Regulatory Bodies

The Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development ensures full alignment with the following regulatory bodies and standards:

Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan:

CQAAD complies with the HEC’s requirements for academic quality assurance, faculty qualifications, and institutional accreditation. This includes the implementation of the HEC's Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE) and Self-Assessment Reports (SAR).

Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Nursing Council, Pharmacy Council etc:

For health-related programs, the center follows the standards and guidelines issued by the PMDC, Nursing Council, Pharmacy Council etc to ensure that medical education meets the highest clinical and academic standards.

International Accrediting Bodies:

CQAAD seeks accreditation and recognition from international bodies such as AACSB (for business programs), ABET (for engineering and technology programs), and other relevant professional bodies to enhance global recognition of its academic programs.

By maintaining a continuous dialogue with these regulatory bodies, CQAAD ensures that the institution not only meets but exceeds the expectations for academic and administrative quality, contributing to the institution’s reputation and the success of its graduates in both local and international markets..

The Centre for Quality Assurance and Academic Development is committed to advancing the institution's vision of academic excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. Through strategic planning, rigorous quality assurance processes, and compliance with national and international standards, the center ensures that all educational and administrative activities contribute to the overarching goals of providing a high-quality learning experience, fostering global competitiveness, and making meaningful contributions to society.