Capacity Building Finally, CAPQP provides quality assurance input and training to staff directed at improving different areas of the academic project. Staff also draft comment on national policy and other directives, and support the development of the sector by contributing to CHE and DHET initiatives and projects, as requested. The Shift in Thinking About Quality Quality assurance in higher education is rapidly developing, as the 2021 publication of the CHE’s new framework for quality assurance (QAF) indicates. However, since 2018, CAPQP has actively sought effective methods through which to integrate quality activities and processes into all aspects of the University’s academic work. This method of thinking removes the burden of quality from quality practitioners (who, after all, cannot ‘own’ the quality of a learning programme) and makes quality the business of all staff engaged with curricula in their fullest forms. The recent institutional audit assessed the University’s internal quality assurance system, with a focus on the extent to which quality measures are effective and efficient. This includes developing a coordinated and streamlined approach to CHE qualification accreditation, as well as peer assessment and self-approval of linked programmes by universities. Quality assurance in higher education is rapidly developing, as the 2021 publication of the CHE’s new framework for quality assurance (QAF) indicates. The Centre for Academic Planning and Quality Promotion’s (CAPQP) major functions revolve around two main areas: academic planning and quality promotion. Historically, these were viewed as separate operations with no prospects for integration despite their strategic location in a single centre. When I joined UJ in 2011, I was part of the quality promotion team that only facilitated programme reviews across the University. Later, colleagues who were part of another environment but were responsible for academic planning, joined the team. Their involvement in quality promotion work was by invitation, either to sit in panel sessions as curriculum experts or to explain a certain aspect of the higher education quality regulations and quality frameworks. It was clear to me that there was a need to integrate these two functions. Although programme quality reviews largely define quality, the two roles were viewed as standalone. Academic planning function in CAPQP Academic planning focuses on two key roles. The first of these is aligning qualifications to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub Framework (HEQSF) and submitting new programmes and amendments to existing programmes to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (HEQC), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Supporting the academic and approval processes involved in these activities is an essential component of academic planning at UJ and is aligned with the requirements of good governance. CAPQP supports academics and governance structures in planning new qualifications, aligning them with national and institutional policies, and managing and reviewing all submissions to regulatory bodies. Quality Promotion function in CAPQP The main thrust of quality promotion was to promote, facilitate, and support quality reviews in the University. Reviews may be of individual programmes, departments, faculties, or thematically defined. The development of review processes and manuals for faculties and for academic development, service, and support divisions is part and parcel of quality promotion at the University. CAPQP facilitates thematic reviews across several areas that primarily emerge from programme reviews. Reviews also address the HEQC focus areas and incorporate criteria pertinent to the UJ context. CAPQP is responsible for responding to national and external quality assurance processes, such as CHE national programme reviews and institutional audits. CAPQP guides develops and collates the self-evaluation reports needed for the processes for submission to the CHE. Teaching Innovation for the 21st Century | Showcasing UJ Teaching Innovation Projects 2024 134
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjU1NDYx