Enter–Institutional Quality Assurance for Open Distant Learning Programmes With Particular Focus on Womens University in Africa

Elizabeth Chikwiri; Eric Samuel Saraboyi Makura; Phoebe Kashora

Volume : III, Issue : XII, December - 2014

Enter–Institutional Quality Assurance for Open Distant Learning Programmes With Particular Focus on Womens University in Africa

Elizabeth Chikwiri, Eric Samuel Saraboyi Makura, Phoebe Kashora

Abstract :

This study sought to determine the effectiveness of quality assurance in Open Distance Learning (ODL) at the Women�s University in Africa (WUA) since its founding in 2002 by two visionary women, Professor Cynthia Hope Sadza, former Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Public Service, and Dr Fay Hung, former Minister of Education and Culture in the Zimbabwe Government, to tackle head on, the issue of gender disparity through the provision of gender sensitive University Education. The study adopted an empirical approach on course evaluation in the provision of a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Sociology and Gender Development Studies at WUA as a pilot programme. The study identified some limitation in the existing scheme of evaluation and raised pertinent issues. The study established that WUA�s quality assurance policy provides clear guidelines for internal and external audits. The study concluded that expertise in the field of distance education is crucial for the implementation of effective inter-institutional quality assurance agenda. The study recommends regular professional development programmes.