Julia Paris & Ivy Segoe

15 November 2010

Preparing for an international accreditation: a case

study from the Health Sciences

ACCREDITATION IN PROCESS

ACCREDITATION IN PROCESS …

CONTENTS:

1. Definitions

2. Background

3. Chiropractic case: how it started

4. Tasks that were carried out

4. Lessons learnt

5. Conclusions

DEFINITIONS:

• Accreditation is a process whereby an organization or agency recognizes a college or university’s program of study as having met certain predetermined qualification standards.

• It is a demonstration that programs meet certain quality standards as outlined by the accreditation body

• The goal is to strengthen & sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public confidence

• Institutions voluntarily apply to receive accreditation from different bodies or accrediting agencies

BACKGROUND

1. NATIONAL AUDIT

2. FULL ACCREDITATION

3. NATIONAL AUDIT OF FACULTY

4. INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION

THE CHIROPRACTIC CASE

• What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care discipline and profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine under the hypothesis that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system.

It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine.

• Invitation from the Head of the Chiropractic Department

• Planning session with Dr. Chris Yelverton

CHIROPRACTIC CASE: HOW IT STARTED

TASKS THAT WERE CARRIED OUT:

• Preparation of documents

Programme review Self Evaluation Portfolio (2009) Annual reports Quality Audit documents

• Preparation of the library as a physical facility (Team effort) Shelves Displays Audio-visual library Research room Interlibrary loans Signage

• 3 day site visit

• Evidence Evaluation

• Facility tours

• Interviews

PANEL EVALUATION

• Planning ahead is a must

• Cooperation is vital

• Opportunity to assess strengths and weaknesses

• New insights

• Plans for improvement

• Stronger relations with Faculty

LESSONS LEARNT

• Accreditation is a learning experience, a humbling experience, a culture and a habit as well

• Pride for contribution

• Motivation

• Ensures quality

• Advancement of the status of the library staff

CONCLUSIONS

THANK YOU.