Abstract:

It is becoming practice for the university to reflect on quality assurance processes it embarks on for improving praxis in Internal Quality Assurance (IQA). Stakeholders are a critical part of the echo system of IQA, and they have been recognized as a critical factor for ensuring success during External Quality Assurance (EQA) and IQA. The objective was examining the role of internal stakeholders in implementing Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) at a university in the global south, with the aim of determining whether their participation serves as a significant enabler in continuous enhancement of quality assurance practices. The study sought to evaluate the degree to which stakeholder engagement and buy-in contribute to effective execution of QIPs developed in response to institutional audits to address identified areas needing enhancement.

A comparative document analysis to evaluate the participation of internal stakeholders in the execution of QIPs at the university was used. It compared the levels and nature of stakeholder involvement in two distinct QIP implementations: one after the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Trial Audit and the other after the Council on Higher Education (CHE) Institutional Audit.

The comparative analysis was based on institutional documents, reports, and records related to the QIP implementation processes from both audits. The participatory approach anchored in stakeholder engagement and buy-in was central to the methodology, as it aligns with the institution’s strategy to enhance IQA practices. The study sought to identify patterns, contrasts, and shifts in stakeholder participation over time, and to assess how these influenced the execution and effectiveness of the respective QIPs.

Significant concepts such as stakeholder engagement, stakeholder participation, and the participatory approach were defined and steered by a review of appropriate literature. The methodological approach enabled in-depth insights into how stakeholder dynamics affected the quality assurance cycle, particularly the extent to which improved participation contributes to the institutionalization of continuous quality enhancement.

Keywords:

Internal Quality Assurance, External Quality Assurance, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Participation, Quality Improvement Plan.