The audit, in brief, aims to critically reflect on and account for the quality of provision at the University, ultimately enabling student success.
Ms Mabote stressed that the audit is every TUT stakeholder’s concern “as it is a critical activity that provides the University with an opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness and coherence of its quality management systems and mechanisms to ensure student success”.
Ms Mabote continues to say that the University’s vision, mission, and strategic goals should be underpinned by a coherent and functional QMS to inform its reason for being – that is teaching and learning, research and innovation, and engagement.
According to her, the audit involves diverse categories of staff across various levels, including senior management, middle management, academics, and support staff. “Students, as primary participants in the academic project, have a vested interest in the quality of their programmes and success to ensure employment and employability,” adds Ms Mabote.
The audit process begins with the development of an institutional Self-Evaluation Report (SER) and a portfolio of evidence. An audit panel, of CHE staff and peers from other universities, will then conduct a site visit to the institution to validate the SER and release an audit report.
The panel will make a list of appropriate commendations and recommendations based on the four focus areas and associated sixteen standards applied during the audit.
“The outcome of the audit will inform the institutional trajectory towards enhancing student success and attaining our vision of being “A People’s University that makes knowledge work,” she concludes.
The DQP has already started rolling out a pre-audit awareness campaign, which includes presentations across the various University staff and student structures. This campaign will also include articles to explain the different stages and facets of the audit, posters, etc. by using a variety of media to keep stakeholders updated.
For institutional audit-related enquiries, please contact: