Site Visit - Preparation Manual for Institutions

2008

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Introduction

This Manual is intended to assist higher education institutions to prepare for and facilitate site visits, which may be required as part of the accreditation process. It summarizes the context of programme accreditation and, within this context, addresses both the nature and purpose of site visits. It deals with key aspects of the organization and administration of site visits, both from the point of view of the HEQC and the institution itself, and covers key logistical and other aspects of the site visit process. In short, it aims to enable institutions to understand what is expected and required for a successful site visit.

The context for programme accreditation

The process of programme accreditation is located within those areas of the national policy and legislative context which address matters related to quality assurance in the South African higher education system. The HEQC of the Council on Higher Education is responsible for the accreditation of higher education institutions as education and training providers and for the accreditation of higher education learning programmes by virtue of provision of the Higher Education Act, 1997 and the South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995. An outline of this context is provided in the CHE's Framework for Programme Accreditation (November 2004), which sets out also the HEQC's programme accreditation model and summarizes accreditation arrangements both for new and existing programmes. Quality-related criteria constitute a crucial element in the execution of the HEQC's functions related to programme accreditation and serve as evaluative tools in the HEQC's accreditation activities, including site visits. These criteria are set out and explained in the CHE's document Criteria for Programme Accreditation (November 2004). Both the Framework for Programme Accreditation and the Criteria for Programme Accreditation are available, from the HEQC, in hard copy, and additionally may be accessed through the CHE's website.

The HEQC, which is a permanent sub-committee of the CHE, carries out its programme accreditation responsibilities through the agency of its Accreditation and Coordination Directorate.

While the HEQC, through its Accreditation and Coordination Directorate, manages and administers the programme accreditation process, accreditation reports emanating from this process are considered first by the HEQC Board's Accreditation Committee, which makes accreditation recommendations to the Board. It is the HEQC Board which determines policy and procedures for the quality assurance work of the HEQC.