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.