The Office of Institutional Quality Assessment and Effectiveness / Quality Enhancement Cell (IQAE / QEC)
According to PSG-2023 (Pakistan Precepts, Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education), the role of IQAE/QEC (Institutional Quality Assessment and Effectiveness / Quality Enhancement Cell) is embedded across multiple standards, particularly:
- Institutional effectiveness & QA
- Institutional policies & process control
- Teaching, learning, assessment, and curriculum control
- Student life cycle management
- Faculty quality, facilities, research environment
- Fairness, transparency, and public information
- CQI and preparation for external quality assurance (PREE)
Objectives of IQAE / QEC
- To establish and maintain a robust internal quality assurance system in the institution.
- To ensure that all academic programmes align with the institutional mission, PSG-2023, HEC policies, and NQF.
- To promote a culture of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) across departments.
- To monitor and evaluate institutional effectiveness and programme performance using measurable indicators.
- To prepare the institution for cyclical external quality assurance (PREE and accreditation visits).
- To ensure fairness, integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in all academic and administrative processes.
- To ensure the availability of accurate, accessible, and trustworthy information for stakeholders.
- To support departments in implementing effective teaching, learning, assessment, research, and student support systems.
Core Functions of IQAE / QEC
- Policy & Process Control
- Develop, document, and monitor academic and administrative processes.
- Ensure periodic evaluation of admission, registration, assessment, graduation, and faculty processes.
- Ensure processes emphasize active learning and attainment of CLOs/PLOs.
- Programme Quality Assurance
- Ensure programmes have documented objectives, outcomes, and measurable indicators.
- Verify curriculum alignment with HEC, accreditation bodies, and PSG requirements.
- Ensure integration of IT, communication skills, and problem-solving in curriculum.
- Monitoring Teaching & Faculty Quality
- Ensure availability of qualified full-time faculty with relevant expertise.
- Monitor faculty development, scholarly activity, and professional training.
- Ensure fair recruitment, evaluation, and promotion processes.
- Student Life Cycle Management
- Monitor admission criteria, progression, advising, counselling, and timely completion.
- Ensure valid, reliable, and equitable assessment practices.
- Ensure availability of student support services and academic guidance.
- Facilities & Institutional Support
- Verify adequacy of labs, library, classrooms, computing, and e-learning facilities.
- Ensure financial resources and audit systems support academic quality.
- Research, Innovation & Industry Linkages
- Promote research culture and research-based learning environment.
- Support innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement.
- Fairness, Integrity & Transparency
- Ensure complaint handling, appeals, and ethical procedures.
- Ensure transparency of decisions and public information.
- Institutional Effectiveness & CQI
- Conduct periodic performance evaluation using quantifiable measures.
- Document use of accreditation and assessment results for improvement.
- Lead CQI implementation and preparation for external reviews.
Key Activities of IQAE / QEC
- Developing QA policies, manuals, and SOPs.
- Conducting internal academic audits and programme reviews.
- Monitoring CLO–PLO attainment and assessment quality.
- Reviewing curriculum compliance with PSG, HEC, and accreditation councils.
- Collecting and analyzing student feedback, alumni feedback, and employer feedback.
- Monitoring faculty profiles, workloads, and development activities.
- Verifying availability and adequacy of labs, library, and IT infrastructure.
- Ensuring proper documentation for PREE and accreditation visits.
- Publishing accurate academic information for stakeholders.
- Organizing QA trainings, workshops, and awareness sessions.
- Preparing annual quality enhancement reports.
- Ensuring departments implement CQI actions based on data.
IQAE / QEC Role in PREE & External QA
- Coordinate preparation of PREE documentation.
- Verify departmental compliance with PSG-2023 standards.
- Conduct mock/internal reviews before external visit.
- Ensure evidence availability for all standards.
- Document improvements based on previous review findings.
- Act as a focal point between the institution and external QA agencies.
Expected Outcomes of an Effective IQAE / QEC
- Standardized academic and administrative processes.
- Improved teaching, learning, and assessment practices.
- Strong documentation culture across departments.
- Enhanced student support and satisfaction.
- Qualified and professionally developed faculty.
- Improved research and industry engagement.
- Institutional readiness for accreditation and PREE.
- Established culture of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).