Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Accreditation and Academic Quality Improvement Cell (AAQIC)
1. Does the Higher Education Commission (HEC) evaluate the quality of universities?
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) assesses the quality of the university. HEC ensures quality assurance through a range of mechanisms. These include the Regular Institutional Performance Evaluation (RIPE) and the Program Review for Efficiency and Enhancement (PREE), which ensure that academic standards and institutional effectiveness are consistently maintained and improved.
2. What’s the role of AAQIC?
Accreditations and Academic Quality Improvement Cell (AAQIC) is entrusted with ensuring the overall quality of education through a variety of processes, including feedback and surveys, peer observations, OBE-aligned curricula, Undergraduate Policy 2.0, and institutional academic audits.
3. Which department at UMT oversees university rankings, accreditation, and student analytics?
AAQIC is the department at UMT responsible for overseeing university rankings, accreditation, and student analytics. Additionally, AAQIC is responsible for disseminating information related to university rankings and ensuring that UMT remains aligned with the relevant benchmarks and quality indicators.
4. In what ways can the AAQIC support students with their academic concerns?
The AAQIC supports students with their academic concerns by collecting feedback each semester, allowing students to express concerns regarding the quality of teaching, learning, and the educational environment.
5. How does the institution ensure student feedback drives improvements in teaching and learning?
AAQIC compiles and shares detailed feedback reports with the relevant school Dean/Chairperson. This allows for targeted discussions and actions to address the concerns raised, fostering continuous enhancement in the quality of education provided.
6. How is the confidentiality of student feedback ensured in the evaluation process?
The feedback process ensures anonymity, confidentiality, and non-attribution, guaranteeing that responses are not linked to individuals. This system fosters a safe and constructive environment for addressing academic concerns.
7. How does UMT ensure alignment with international educational standards like Bloom's Taxonomy?
UMT ensures alignment with international educational standards like Bloom's Taxonomy by designing its courses with a clear focus on various cognitive levels—such as knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The curriculum is structured to guide students through progressively higher-order thinking skills. UMT ensures that learning outcomes are measurable and aligned with global academic standards.
8. What are the core responsibilities of the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC)?
The core responsibilities of the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) are centered around ensuring the continuous improvement of academic standards within an institution.
9. How does QEC ensure continual improvement in higher education?
The Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) ensures continual improvement in higher education through several key strategies; ensuring that academic programs meet established standards. Conducting regular internal audits of academic programs, gathering and analyzing data related to academic standards, student learning outcomes, and faculty performance. Facilitating the accreditation process for programs by national and international accreditation bodies.
10. Why is accreditation important for higher education institutions?
Accreditation ensures that institutions meet established standards of quality in education, facilities, faculty, and student services. Accreditation helps institutions gain recognition and credibility on a global scale, which can attract international students and partnerships. Graduates from accredited institutions are often more competitive in the job market, as employers recognize the value of an accredited education.
11. How does the AAQIC ensure compliance with accreditation standards?
AAQIC ensures compliance with accreditation standards by overseeing the entire accreditation and quality assurance process for academic programs. This includes a Review of Institutional Performance and Enhancement (RIPE), and comprehensive reviews of MS/MPhil and PhD programs. AAQIC also manages the development and implementation of Self-Assessment Reports (SARs), and coordinates with accrediting bodies.
12. Where can students and stakeholders find the latest information on UMT’s rankings?
Students and stakeholders can access the latest information on UMT’s rankings through AAQIC website, which regularly updates details about the university’s rankings. This information is available on the AAQIC website, as well as on the official websites of the respective ranking organizations.
13. Which global organizations provide the most reliable university rankings?
Several global organizations provide university rankings using their methodologies. The most reliable and widely recognized rankings include QS, Times Higher Education, and UI Green Metric. https://www.umt.edu.pk/AAQIC/Rankings.aspx
14. What steps is UMT taking to improve its position in global Rankings?
UMT is actively taking several steps to enhance its position in global rankings. These include fostering impactful research that addresses key global challenges, aligning its initiatives and activities with the SDGs, and launching various research initiatives to promote innovation and academic excellence. Additionally, the university is dedicated to maintaining its accreditations and upholding its national and international memberships for its Schools/Departments.
15. What are the future goals of UMT regarding its performance in international and regional rankings?
The university aims to improve its rankings by advancing academic excellence, fostering impactful research, strengthening faculty expertise, and enhancing student outcomes. Additionally, UMT is committed to enhancing its infrastructure, promoting student success, and advancing its contributions to the community, all of which will contribute to improved rankings in the future.
16. How does Outcome-Based Education (OBE) prepare students for global competitiveness and professional success?
OBE provides students with a strong foundation of practical skills, a global perspective, and a commitment to lifelong learning, all of which are essential for thriving in a competitive global environment and achieving professional success.
17. How to contact AAQIC?
You can reach out to AAQIC through Phone: (042) 111 868 868 Ext: 3377