Quality Assurance Unit

Dr. E.O. Asekun-Olarinmoye (Ag. Director)

Osun State University is concerned about ensuring the quality of its academic programmes towards the production of highly skilled graduates who can contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development of the State and Nigeria. The Quality Assurance (QA) Unit conducts a host of activities that are designed to improve the quality of inputs, processes and outputs of the University system. It acts as a mechanism to guarantee that the system is “fit for purpose”. It also ensures the following: Value for money – measured by achieving more with less in an efficient manner; Transformation – from one state to another with value-added activities; Perfection – perceived as the attainment of a near flawless product, service and system; Excellence – viewed as the attainment of exceptionally high standard product, service and system.

Structure of the Quality Assurance Unit
The Quality Assurance Unit is an integral part of the Vice Chancellor's office and headed by a Director. The Quality Assurance Unit of Osun State University is currently headed by an Associate Professor, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Olufunmilayo ASEKUN-OLARINMOYE. The Director of Quality Assurance Unit is complimented by other staff members. There are also Quality Assurance Representatives from each College and Department that collaborate with the Unit in achieving its set goals. The Director, Quality Assurance is the chairman of the implementation/monitoring committee for the strategic plan of the University.

Quality Assurance Policy Statement
UNIOSUN is committed to being a Centre of excellence providing quality higher education.

• This commitment is supported by a Quality Assurance framework which provides the planning and strategies: reporting and continuous improvement that create awareness to all students and stakeholders, ensuring that systems, processes and core business activities are fit for the purpose for which they are desired.
• QA for the University exists to safeguard the general interest of all stakeholders in sound standards and maintenance of high quality education.
• It will encourage continuous improvement in the management of quality academic processes.
• The QA Unit coordinates all the processes in order to deliver quality assurance functions, based on the University’s Vision and Mission statements:

Vision and Mission of Quality Assurance Unit
This derives from the University’s Vision and Mission statements:
The vision is to ensure excellence in quality assurance instruments in education.
Quality Assurance Unit Mission is to coordinate and evaluate quality assurance processes in teaching/learning, research and support services aimed at achieving the University’s goals.

Objective of the Quality Assurance System
The objective of QA is the establishment of cyclic processes for planning, enactment, feedback and renewed planning which promote and emphasize quality enhancement through the generation of a collective self-critical and self-reflective attitude. It ensures that quality standards are met, promotes quality development, document quality work and detect problem areas.

The specific objectives of UNIOSUN’s quality assurance system are:

• To develop Quality Assurance policy for UNIOSUN
• To monitor implementation of the University strategic plan
• To contribute to the achievement of the goals defined for the educational activities and the learning environment.
• To monitor and ensure that performance processes in all aspects of the University functions are appropriate and relevant.
• To reveal flaws and recognize the strong points of instruction and training.
• To serve as a tool for systematic efforts for quality assurance and quality improvement.
• To evaluate the quality assurance system periodically
• To coordinate Students' Evaluation of staff and programmes
• To encourage self-assessment of teaching staff
• To coordinate internal and external assessment of programmes and institution as a whole
• Capacity building: organize seminars, workshops and conferences

Long-term Goal
The long-term goal is to guarantee that the time students spend in the University is used effectively, and that the intended educational results are achieved.

Functions of Director of Quality Assurance
The Director of Quality Assurance of Osun State University is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor in the general superintendence over the academic and administrative affairs of the Quality Assurance Unit which include the following:

• Development of a quality assurance policy
• Creation of awareness of the provisions for QA: Review the existing procedures and making them known to the stakeholders.
• Conduct annual evaluation of the University’s Strategic Plan
• Preparation of check lists of procedures for performance evaluation
• Set up a Quality Assurance Implementation Committee
• Conduct self-assessment programs that have completed their cycle
• Develop a self-assessment manual
• Keep stakeholders: staff and students well informed of evaluation results, efforts made and recommendations periodically
• Analyze past accreditation reports of the University and highlight areas of remediation preparatory for next exercise
• Monitor and assess quality, adequacy and currency of facilities and resources in Departments, Faculties and Colleges
• Monitor and ensure compliance to academic brief, staff student ratio, quality and mix, teaching and research quality
• Administer and analyze results of teaching Portfolio Instruction
• Develop a blueprint for the systemic development of the University
• Develop and update criteria and format for assessing teaching quality and effectiveness through peer group and student review
• Ensure and oversee development of Instructional Technology
• Participate in the review of academic programme curricular of the University and evaluation of proposal for new academic programmes
• Participate in the preparation of the University’s Annual Budget
• Organize regular capacity building and skill acquisition for academic and non-academic staff
• Carry out all other duties assigned by the Vice-Chancellor

Expected Outcomes
The anticipated outcome, following successful implementation of the QA activities includes:

• Improved student performance and success in learning
• Improved work performance of academic and support staff
• Enhanced transparency and stakeholders confidence
• Enhanced capacity to compete with other higher learning institutions nationally, regionally and globally
• Management by processes and facts
• Continuous learning
• Better quality of graduates
• Feedback from clients and consumers of products and services
• Change of staff attitude and behavior – through sensitization workshops
• Better work ethics

Sustaining the Culture of Quality
This will be achieved through:

• sensitization of staff at all cadres-Junior, Senior and Management
• internalization of quality: The University quality system should be functional at all levels: in Service Units, teaching, research, and extension