Quality Assurance
The IUA is committed to assisting the universities in developing and implementing procedures and programmes for quality assurance and quality improvement.
The autonomy of each university to determine its own quality assurance procedures is provided for under the Universities Act (1997) which encourages an emphasis on quality improvement. To access the full version of the universities act click here.
IUQB
IUA facilitated the establishment of the Irish Universities Quality Board [IUQB] and the development of a sectoral quality improvement programme of projects across a range of areas. The IUQB has been established to support and promote a culture of quality in Irish higher education and independently evaluate the effectiveness of quality processes in Irish universities.
Download the new publication A Framework for Quality in Irish Universities (2nd edition, Oct 2007) here. This is their main publication to date.
In relation to quality assurance in the Irish university sector, the IUQB conduct the subsequent core activities:
- Perform regular external reviews of how effective quality procedures are in Irish universities
- Provide information on QA to stakeholders
- Promote QA in Irish universities and partner with the universities on QA/QI initiatives
- Publish and promote national guidelines of good practiceon various Higher Education themes
- Operate in line with national legislation and agreed European Standards and Guidelines
- Co-operate with national and international organizations.
For a direct link to the various IUQB activities use the following links:
Quality Reviews: http://www.iuqb.ie/info/quality_reviews_introduction.aspx
Quality Enhancement: http://www.iuqb.ie/info/quality-enhancement-1.aspx
The IUQB are continually preparing and publishing Institutional reviews of all the Irish universities and have done so since 2004. The focal intention was for quality assurance procedures and practices to be in position in Irish universities, and their effectiveness would be reviewed against best practice internationally. To read about the 2004-2005 Institutional Reviews please use the link provided: http://www.iuqb.ie/info/Review_of_universities.aspx
You can find all their latest documents by visiting the news and events page on their website under the News section: http://www.iuqb.ie/news/latest_news.aspx
The IUQB is in the process of publishing the second edition of the PhD Good Practice Guideline Booklet, to find out more visit: http://www.iuqb.ie/news/latest_news.aspx?article=cff80d2d-43c4-45a9-b716-162d2a497055
Internal Quality Assurance
All of the universities conduct internal quality assurance through internal reviews. These are an evaluation of the academic and administrative departmentsorganised by the individual university(with the assistance of external reviewers). If you wish to read the reports arising out of these assessments please use the link below:
http://www.iuqb.ie/info/reviews-of-university-depts.aspx
IHEQN
The Irish Higher Education Quality Network was established in 2003. It providesa forum for the discussion of quality assurance and quality improvement issues amongst the principal national stakeholders involved in the quality assurance of higher education and training in Ireland.
More information about the IHEQN, its members, role and functions can be found under the 'About IHEQN' and 'Member Organisations' sections of their site:http://www.iheqn.ie
