Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is a generic term used to refer to the processes and procedures within institutions to review, evaluate, assess or otherwise check, examine or ensure the quality of the education provided and/or research undertaken. In this regard, different terms such as Internal Quality Monitoring, Internal Audit, Internal Quality Review, University Quality Audit, etc. are used in different countries.
Higher Education Council has adapted the Internal Quality Assurance Units (IQAUs) and a broad framework has been prepared with the involvement of all the stakeholders. It has to be emphasized that there should not be any strict directives or instructions as to how to develop IQA mechanisms within the context of each institution. The idea is for each and every institution to develop its own system which is most appropriate to the institutional environment and uniqueness.
It is expected that the IQA mechanisms would bring the staff members in the same institution together to share and learn from each other, publicize the good practices, and appreciate the achievements and contributions of one another. Further, the implementation of IQA mechanisms would create a sense of responsibility and a new awareness of the process approach throughout the institution.
The ultimate goal of the IQA mechanisms is to create (or inculcate) the ‘Quality Culture’ within the institution, which would be based on an internal system of continuous quality which seeks to provide a quality education through a holistic approach on a day to day basis.
