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About Institutional Accreditation

‘Engaging Stakeholders: Meeting needs, Rising to Challenges’

 

Quality at UWI 

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is committed to striving for excellence in teaching, research, innovation, public service, intellectual leadership, outreach, governance and administration. In seeking to achieve these goals the University is guided by five interrelated dimensions of quality. These are: (i) fitness of purpose; (ii) fitness for purpose; (iii) value for money; (iv) transformative development of students and staff; and (v) adherence to high standards, including internal and external customer service standards.

Fitness of purpose refers to the University’s ability to define objectives that are relevant to its stakeholders’ needs and pursuant to its mission.  This dimension of quality aims to evaluate the adequacy of the quality-related intentions of an organisation or programme.

Fitness for purpose refers to the University’s ability to fulfil its stated objectives and mission at both institutional and programme levels. It is concerned with assessing an institution or programme against indicators and standards derived from its basic mission and stated objectives.

Value for money refers to the University’s ability to demonstrate efficient and effective use of its human, physical, technological, information and financial resources.

Transformative development of students and staff refers to the University’s ability to contribute to the enhancement of the knowledge, skills and attitudes of staff and students.

Adherence to high standards refers to the University’s ability to consistently meet agreed service standards and/or apply best practice in its delivery of academic, professional, technical or support services and in its communications with internal and external stakeholders.

(Source: Report of The UWI Task Force on Quality to the Executive Management Committee, September, 2016)

In fulfilment of The UWI Mission, these five dimensions of quality are applied to the management of all of The UWI’s human, physical, technological, information and financial resources, internal operations and communications.

Strengthening the culture of quality established at the Campus, The UWI St. Augustine has begun its 2017 candidacy for continuous institutional

 

The Importance of Institutional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation examines the institution’s effectiveness. It looks at its capacity to deliver quality tertiary education programmes, evaluating its systems for governance and management, financial stability, delivery of academic programmes as well as faculty quality, facilities, services, accountability processes, sustainability and outcomes. It is an opportunity for self-regulation, given that accreditation is voluntary, and represents an opportunity for the Campus to be supported in our continued pursuit of improvement. In the process of developing our Self-Study Report, the Campus engages in problem solving, analysis, synthesis and evaluation all of which are key elements of active learning at institutional level.

External peer evaluators visit and undertake rigorous assessments to confirm our educational quality against the accreditation agency’s quality standards and make recommendations for continuous improvement.

For the public, there is the confidence that The UWI St. Augustine Campus meets international standards and benchmarks of quality.

For the student, there is the assurance of a recognized (accredited) qualification to access further education or employment.

For the institution, it is the opportunity to recognize areas in need of improvement to generate greater levels of satisfaction for students, graduates, alumni, employees, employers, benefactors, investors and other stakeholders.  

Learn more about institutional accreditation from these FAQs

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