QEC | SZABIST University Islamabad

QEC/IR

Quality Enhancement Cell Institutional Research Department Bringing standardized quality to Academics

Welcome to SZABIST Quality Enhancement Cell

Welcome to SZABIST online Quality Enhancement Cell and Institutional Research department. We serve our institute by ensuring that quality education is delivered at SZABIST and it meets the guidelines set by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

We also ensure that all aspects of SZABIST’s operations achieve the high standards envisaged in the vision and mission of SZABIST. In addition, our work entails, building relations with academic agencies and associations, within and outside the country, and assisting the various faculties in seeking accreditation of our programs.

Operationally, we collect, analyze, and report internally consistent and accurate information which facilitates strategic planning and timely decision-making by SZABIST’s management and its Board of Trustees.
On our site you will find a variety of information on academic programs, institutional facilities and institutional effectiveness. Please click on the given tabs to learn more about our work.

Quality Enhancement Cell Achieves the Highest Ranking

Based on the latest assessment by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of Higher Education Commission (HEC), SZABIST’s Quality Enhancement Cell has been ranked in the highest category, that is, “W” category. This reflects the excellent performance of the SZABIST QEC in ensuring adherence to high quality standards of education delivery. This assessment is done bi-annually by the HEC to assesses the performance of the Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) established at different Public and Private sector universities through a scorecard system. ‘SZABIST’s QEC scored “93.90%” in their quantitative assessment for the period of July 2015-June 2016. This performance is the result of the vigorous and persistent efforts of the QEC staff at SZABIST.

QEC/IR Vision

Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology aims to be a globally recognized institute for excellence in education, research, and development, and distinction in service.

QEC Mission

QEC Objectives

QEC Functions

QEC Procedures

Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology is committed to produce highly qualified professionals to:

Synchronize with national and global contemporary needs;
Conduct cutting-edge research and development;
Provide hi-tech scientific and technological expertise;
Meet current and future socio-economic challenges;
Fulfill global citizenship responsibility.

The research and innovation activities of ORIC are aimed to:

QEC ensures that quality education is delivered as per the vision and mission of SZABIST and it meets the guidelines set by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
QEC also ensures that all aspects of SZABIST’s operations achieve the high standards envisaged in the vision and mission of SZABIST. In addition, it entails, building relations with academic agencies and associations, within and outside the country, and assisting the various faculties in seeking accreditation of our programs.

Operationally, QEC collects, Analyze, and Report internally consistent and accurate information which facilitates strategic planning and timely decision-making by SZABIST’s management and its Board of Trustees.

QEC is responsible for defining clear and explicit standards as points of reference for the reviews to be carried out.
QEC is responsible to develop quality assurance processes and methods of evaluation.

QEC is responsible to ensure that the HEC prescribed qualifications framework is followed by all the departments.

QEC is responsible to ensure that quality assurance procedures conform with the HEC prescribed national standards.
QEC is responsible for ensuring that all departments of the institute adhere to the HEC’s prescribed standards and quality for the award of degrees.
QEC is responsible for coordinating and assisting in the accreditation process through all stakeholders to achieve the accreditation of the respective programs.

QEC is responsible for coordinating and assisting the program reviews by HEC.
QEC is responsible to disseminate any change in quality standards/framework prescribed by the HEC to the respective departments.

Other functions to be performed by QEC:
Monitoring and evaluation of academic standards.
Maintaining a dependable data source and its access to all stakeholders.

Student feedback through ASO, Student Advisor, Faculty Advisor, Records, etc.

Employer feedback through EDC.
Surveys
Course/ Program reviews through Cluster Heads, Curriculum Review Committee, etc.
Institutional audit.
Identify the areas of improvement in academic and non-academic functions.

QEC executes the following procedures:

Self Assessment Reports (SAR) Procedure
MS / Ph.D Programs Review Procedure
Data Collection Procedure
Surveys Procedure
Pakistan Qualification Register Procedure

Internal Audit Procedure

Quality Assurance Mechanism at SZABIST

SZABIST was established with the aim to impart quality education to national and international students enabling them to become an effective integral part of the society. Over the years SZABIST has rigorously adapted different ways to improve its education imparting abilities and bringing the best out from the available resources. Keeping itself abreast with the demands of the national and international market, SZABIST has actively participated in the latest education improvement framework introduced by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to improve the quality of its programs and building a repute of its own. QEC focus on achieving quality assurance in the following areas:
1. Academic Quality Assurance
2. Support Functions Quality Assurance

Academic Quality Assurance
The academic quality assurance focuses on achieving the desired outcomes of academic programs through a well-defined education system comprised of program development, execution, review, and improvement cycle.

Support Functions Quality Assurance
SZABIST Islamabad has taken a step further towards achieving operational excellence by the implementation of a quality assurance mechanism for support departments. Support department operations are evaluated once a year through an internal quality audit. During the audit, departmental level adherence to policies and procedures is evaluated and areas of improvement are identified are worked upon.

Types of Quality Assurance Activities

At SZABIST there are two types of quality assurance activities through which quality standards are maintained:

Internal Quality Assurance
External Quality Assurance

Internal Quality Assurance

The internal quality assurance system at SZABIST is derived from the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and guidelines set out in Quality Assurance Manual by HEC and mainly focuses on Self-Assessment activity related to academic programs as well as a review of our academic and support departments through internal audit.

Adaptation of the National Qualification Framework
Implementation of HEC Policies as per QA Manual
Self Assessment as per HEC SAR Manual
Internal Audits

External Quality Assurance

External Quality at SZABIST is carried out to evaluate our academic and support functions independently and assure that these are performing in the desired way.

HEC Visit for MS/Ph.D Programs Review
Accreditation Bodies Visit for Programs Evaluation
HEC Visit for Quality evaluation/ranking
Statistical Data Evaluation

Types of Quality Assurance Activities

At SZABIST there are two types of quality assurance activities through which quality standards are maintained:

Internal Quality Assurance
External Quality Assurance

Curriculum Review

Curriculum reviews are conducted to ensure the suitability of programs as per the requirements of HEC and present market needs. This is done through the following mechanism:
a. Cluster Heads
b. Curriculum Review Committee
c. Board of Studies (BOS)
d. Board of Faculties (BOF)
e. Academic Council (AC)
Cluster heads, curriculum review committee and Board of Studies provide feedback on curriculum which is then reviewed in Board of Faculty and Academic Council meetings.

Outcome-Based Learning

As per institutional policy, each department is required to assess its progress against defined learning outcomes for the program.
At the end of each semester, academic departments ensure the maintenance of Course Files/Folders for each course taught during the semester through faculty members.
Faculty members are required to generate a Faculty Course Assessment Report (FCAR) at the end of each semester. This report reflects the level of achievement with respect to defined learning outcomes for each taught course.

Research Evaluation

SZABIST Islamabad undertakes the research activity at the core of its academic development and monitors this through:
• Doctoral Committee (DC)
• Board of Advanced Studies and Research (BASR)
• Academic Council (AC)
Research activity is carried out as per defined policies that are set out in line with HEC policies for the award of Ph.D/Research-based degrees.

Faculty and Course Assessment

SZABIST Islamabad regularly conducts the faculty and course assessment to ensure the efficiency of teaching methodology and effectiveness of course contents. Faculty assessment is done through a transparent mechanism performed against 5 defined parameters.
Faculty assessment is also done by students during the semester to evaluate how a faculty member is performing with respect to course contents delivery.
Course assessment is carried out at different intervals during the semester by students to provide their feedback on the course-related areas.