QUALITY ASSURANCE IN STUDY ABROAD QUALITY ASSURANCE IN STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMMES: THE CASE OF THE PROGRAMMES: THE CASE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANAUNIVERSITY OF GHANA
E. Kweku Osam
Dean, Faculty of Arts
University of Ghana
HISTORY OF UGHISTORY OF UG
Established in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast.
Became the University of Ghana by an Act of Parliament (Act 79) in 1961.
UG’S MISSIONUG’S MISSION
Our mission is to develop world-class human resources and capabilities to meet national development needs and global challenges through quality teaching, learning, research and knowledge dissemination.
UG PROFILEUG PROFILE
UG currently consists of: Colleges 2Faculties 6Schools 8Institutes 6Centres 8Departments 70
UG BASIC STATISTICSUG BASIC STATISTICS
2007/2008 Enrolment (29,754) Non-Degree 1,784 First Degree 26,154 Graduate 1,816
UG BASIC STATISTICSUG BASIC STATISTICS
Nationals 96.16% Internationals 3.84%
Gender Distribution of Total Enrolment
Male 59.69% Female 40.31%
UG BASIC STATISTICSUG BASIC STATISTICS
Staff Senior Members (A & A) 993 Senior Staff (Tech & Adm) 1200 Junior Staff (Support) 2581
Gender: Male 77.17%Female 22.83%
INTERNATIONALIZATION INTERNATIONALIZATION AT UGAT UG
UG has a long history of hosting international students and sending students abroad.Hosting through international enrolmentStudents abroad: Language and Medical Students
INTERNATIONALIZATION INTERNATIONALIZATION AT UGAT UG
Since the early 1990s, UG has actively sought international linkages through self-initiated and other-initiated bilateral relations.
Result: staff and student exchange; increase in enrolment, especially from the West Africa sub-region.
New linkages
UG AND CUSACUG AND CUSAC
Active UG participation in CUSAC since 2000.
So far 19 undergraduate students have benefited.
BENEFITSBENEFITS
To the students: International exposure Cross-cultural experience Development of global perspective
BENEFITSBENEFITS
To UG International profile Support for our exchange programme Challenge to maintain quality Establishment of administrative
structures
SOME CHALLENGESSOME CHALLENGES
Financial Grade Transfer Restricted Course Registration Timing
PROPOSALSPROPOSALS
Financial– provide institutional support for students.
Grade Transfer– establish grade equivalence.
Course Registration– waive pre-requisite.
Timing– shift to Fall enrolment.
QUALITY ISSUESQUALITY ISSUES
UG’s commitment to internationalization is seen in the structures established for that purpose:Creation of the Office of International Programmes since 1997.The OIP is headed by a Dean.The OIP has an Advisory Board chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor.
QUALITY ISSUESQUALITY ISSUES
Rigorous selection of participants:Dean of OIP invites nominations from Faculties.Deans of Faculties request Department Heads to submit best-performing students based on current GPA.An interview panel with representatives from various Faculties selects final list.
QUALITY ISSUES--OIPQUALITY ISSUES--OIP
The OIP is responsible for: Promoting and coordinating UG’s
external relations Marketing UG internationally in
order to attract human, financial and physical investment
INTERNATIONALIZATION INTERNATIONALIZATION AND QUALITYAND QUALITY
UG’s commitment to internationalization has implications for:
Curriculum development Teaching Research Administrative processes Staff promotion
ENSURING ACADEMIC QUALITY ENSURING ACADEMIC QUALITY CONTROLCONTROL
Procedure for: New Programmes New Course OfferingDepartment Faculty Board
Planning Committee Academic Board (National Accreditation Board)
QUALITY CONTROL: QUALITY CONTROL: TEACHINGTEACHING
Academic Quality Control Unit Teaching Improvement Workshops Teaching and Course Evaluation
with implications for staff promotion and contract renewal
Five-year Cycle Programme Evaluation and Review to ensure relevance.
QUALITY CONTROLQUALITY CONTROL
Teaching and Learning Resources Infrastructural expansion, e.g.
Main Library Re-stocking the Library
subscription to databases ICT expansion
QUALITY CONTROL: QUALITY CONTROL: STUDENTS’ LIFESTUDENTS’ LIFE
Housing—International Students’ Hostel
Campus Security
CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
UG is positioning itself to maximize its contribution to and benefits from the internationalization of higher education by offering internationally comparable quality education to all its students.