ISSN 2360-7963
Abstract
Quality assurance aims at ensuring consistency in the qualitative and quantitative outcome of learning in the university. It is a continuous process of inbuilt mechanism for monitoring of the quality of higher education, for the sustainability of high standards detection of lapses and quick response to redeem anomalies in the academic environment and programmes. The mechanisms for its application are both proactive and reactive. In scope, quality assurance incorporates internal and external monitors and evaluators for continuous relevance of university programmes to students and humanity. Its neglect makes the university an abattoir for the slaughter of minds and a morgue for national development. The paper identifies the indispensability of quality assurance, the dimensions and import of transforming our universities into citadels of learning in name and also in function. The paper argues that quality assurance is a catalyst for academic excellence and it therefore attempts to indicate how it can be effectively utilised to make our universities’ ratings catch up with those of Europe and America.
Keywords: quality assurance, standard, internality and externality.