Directorate of Quality Enhancement and Accreditation

Brief Introduction

Continuous quality enhancement is considered essential for accreditation, transparency, accountability, evaluation, and assessment in all higher education institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education of Afghanistan. The Quality Enhancement and Accreditation Program is one of the most important components of higher education institutions and universities across the country, and in many countries it is regarded as a mandatory process. This process has been actively implemented in numerous universities and higher education institutions for many years.

The Directorate of Quality Enhancement and Accreditation of Farah University was established in 1400 AH (2021/2022) to improve the standard of education and enhance the quality of higher education at the University. The Directorate operates under the Vice Chancellorship for Academic and Student Affairs. Its primary objectives are to obtain academic, educational, research, and administrative accreditation at both national and international levels, provide a suitable environment for effective learning, and enhance the capacities of students and graduates. Furthermore, the Directorate works to strengthen the teaching and research capacities of academic staff by organizing educational seminars and workshops.

To achieve these objectives, the University established the University Quality Enhancement Committee, chaired by the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, as well as Quality Enhancement Sub-Committees within each faculty. These committees carry out their activities in accordance with the University's quality assurance framework. The Directorate is also responsible for monitoring and evaluating the University's academic and research programs.

Since its establishment, the Directorate has achieved significant accomplishments within a relatively short period. Some of its major achievements include:

Implementation of Individual Academic Plans for faculty members.
Implementation of Teaching Improvement Plans across all academic programs.
Conducting effective evaluations of teaching during each academic semester.
Conducting effective evaluations of the University's main committees and the faculty-level sub-committees.
Organizing workshops and seminars at the University level.
Conducting periodic reviews of the University's faculties each year.
Conducting annual evaluations of all academic programs.
Successfully completing the First Stage of Quality Assurance and Accreditation.
Being nominated for the Second Stage of Accreditation.
Implementing the Credit System across all academic programs.
Assisting all faculties in the preparation of their Strategic Plans.
Supporting all main committees, particularly the Committees for Research, Curriculum, Strategic Planning, and other University committees.

Objectives of the Directorate of Quality Enhancement and Accreditation

The objectives of the Directorate are as follows:

To implement all quality enhancement processes and activities at Farah University in accordance with the laws, regulations, and directives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
To improve the quality of education in line with national and international standards.
To establish an effective evaluation system for the University's academic programs and other educational activities.
To organize training programs aimed at improving teaching skills.
To promote and support research activities in various academic fields.
To establish cooperation with national universities and higher education institutions and exchange academic experience and information resources.
To conduct annual evaluations and periodic reviews of the University's academic programs.
To promote awareness of quality enhancement throughout the University.
To achieve the stages of accreditation and maintain the University's academic accreditation status.
To provide an effective learning environment for students and graduates and enhance their academic and professional capacities.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Directorate of Quality Enhancement and Accreditation

The Directorate of Quality Enhancement and Accreditation performs the following duties and responsibilities:

Encourage, promote, accelerate, and improve quality enhancement in higher education institutions in order to achieve national and international standards.
Prepare annual, quarterly, and monthly operational plans in accordance with the Directorate's work plan to achieve the Ministry's strategic objectives and planned goals.
Cooperate with the University Quality Enhancement Committee in all institutional activities, particularly in the implementation of academic programs and the accreditation process.
Lead and manage subordinate staff to ensure the achievement of established objectives and enhance their professional and academic competencies.
Maintain effective coordination with all departments of the University to facilitate the implementation of quality enhancement and accreditation systems.
Design and develop quality enhancement monitoring forms in accordance with national and international standards to facilitate the accreditation process.
Prepare for site visits, self-assessment activities, and other programs related to the accreditation process.
Assist the Director in developing the operational mechanisms and procedures of the Directorate of Quality Enhancement and Accreditation to support the implementation of the Ministry of Higher Education's strategy, provide appropriate guidance to staff, and ensure transparency in all work processes.
Provide professional advice to the Director of Quality Enhancement and Accreditation regarding the development of mechanisms and procedures for self-assessment and the effective implementation of all stages of accreditation in public universities.
Monitor the implementation of self-assessment programs and all stages of the accreditation process in public universities.
Oversee the self-assessment process in public universities to ensure transparency throughout the accreditation process.
Identify challenges and obstacles related to operational plans and all stages of accreditation in public universities, and review experts' reports concerning these issues.