Quality Assurance Policies and Procedures in Maritime Universities

A report by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) highlights the commitment of institutions to quality, and aims to help universities improve quality assurance practices and procedures.

Quality Assurance Policies and Procedures in Maritime Universities, released today, Feb. 18, is the first report of its kind in the Maritimes.

"It is exciting to see the progress of so many universities in the area of quality assurance," said Mireille Duguay, CEO of MPHEC. "In order to build upon existing strengths, the next step for many of the region's universities will be to build into their policies more of a focus on student-learning outcomes."

The commission recently completed the first cycle of its quality-assurance monitoring process, which reviewed each university's quality-assurance policies and procedures to ensure they are adequate. The report provides an overview of the challenges faced by Maritime universities to find ways to enhance and measure quality and provides recommendations.

Highlights from the report include:

• Some of the universities have a long history of quality assurance activities, although they vary in focus and scope
• Several universities did not have a quality assurance policy at the outset, but developed one in response to the commission's monitoring process
• Universities are actively working to improve their policies
• Most policies tend to focus on faculty and resources
• The report presents elements essential to the design of successful quality assurance policies and stresses the principle of placing the quality of teaching and learning at the centre of the process.

The Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission was established in 1974. Its 20 members are drawn from the Maritime provinces, and represent higher education institutions, provincial governments and the general public. Its mission is to assist institutions and governments in enhancing the post-secondary learning environment.

Universities involved in the commission's monitoring process include: Acadia University, the Atlantic School of Theology, Cape Breton University, Dalhousie University, Mount Allison University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Saint Mary's University, St. Francis Xavier University, St. Thomas University, Université de Moncton, Université Sainte-Anne, the University of King's College, the University of New Brunswick, and the University of Prince Edward Island.