A framework for enhancing regulatory cooperation in external quality assurance in Southern Africa. Issue 2 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jingura, Raphael; Kamusoko, Reckson
• Is Part Of: Quality in higher education. Volume 24:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 154
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: External quality assurance -- external quality assurance agencies -- regulatory cooperation -- Southern Africa; Education, Higher -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Administration -- Periodicals; Enseignement supérieur -- Évaluation -- Périodiques; Enseignement supérieur -- Finalités -- Périodiques; Universités -- Administration -- Périodiques; 378
• DOI: 10.1080/13538322.2018.1480343
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8322

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Cross-border higher education (CBHE) has taken centre stage in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). There has been increased trade in higher education services among member states of the SADC. This has necessitated regional regulatory cooperation in quality assurance and accreditation. SADC has established the Southern African Quality Assurance Network as a regional network of external quality assurance agencies. This paper presents a framework that can be used to enhance regulatory cooperation within the Network on quality assurance in higher education with special focus on CBHE. The paper identifies the main areas of focus as people mobility, institutional and programme mobility, accreditation and registration and recognition of academic credentials. Proposed mechanisms for regulatory cooperation include regional credit accumulation and transfer system, regional qualifications framework, framework for accreditation and registration of foreign providers and framework for recognition of academic credentials.