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Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) HEQC's proposed MoU models, criteria, procedures and processes for whole qualifications Delegation model Criteria for selection of delegation model: Type of model Criteria Delegation ETQA/Professional council has an effective quality management system in place for evaluating programmes leading to whole qualifications. ETQA/Professional council regularly reviews the effectiveness of its quality management systems and conduct impact studies of its programme accreditation activities. In addition to its own criteria, the ETQA/Professional council has aligned its accreditation criteria to the HEQC's programme accreditation criteria, particularly transformative criteria and delegations given to higher education institutions for short courses, RPL, assessor training, certification and moderation. ETQA/professional council takes into account teaching and learning criteria. ETQA/Professional council uses peer evaluation, and has: Explicit criteria for selection of evaluators Evaluators to include teaching and learning specialists within a higher education context and other appropriate specialists The peer team should not consist less than three persons A pool of evaluators representative of the demographic profile of the country A programme for training and selecting evaluators ETQA/professional council charges reasonable fees for accreditation - ideally cost recovery of private and no charge for public institutions. ETQA/Professional council has review and appeals procedures in place. ETQA/Professional Council is sensitive and work in concert policy and DOE initiatives within the higher education landscape. ETQA/Professional Council screens provider in relation to DoE and SAQA requirements: PQM for public providers, Registration status for private providers, and NQF registration status of qualification with SAQA. The ETQA/Professional councils align their systems to encourage continious improvement and innovation beyond minimum standards and institutional self-regulation. To avoid over-evaluating but to encourage greater self-evaluation and improvement. To co-ordinate evaluation visits through the HEQC and in consultation with institutions senior management or quality assurance office. Step by step process for the delegation model: Step Responsible party Process step 1. Provider Private provider sends application for programme approval/accreditation directly to ETQA/Professional Council. Public provider applies to the Department of Education (DoE) for clearance on the Programme and Qualification Mix (PQM). 2. DoE DoE writes to HEQC about programme approval for public provider. 3. HEQC Notifies ETQA/professional council and provider about DoE approval (public provider). 4. ETQA/Professional Council Screens provider in relation to DoE and SAQA requirements: PQM for public providers Registration status for private providers Status of registration of the qualification on the NQF with SAQA 5. ETQA/Professional Council Writes to the HEQC to inform about the application: Name of provider, Name of programme/unit standard; NQF level, Date application received. 6. ETQA/Professional Council Carries out evaluation or site visit. Writes report. Sends a copy of the report to the HEQC. Tables report at its own professional board/accreditation/programme approval committee. Takes final decision on programme/unit standard. Communicates decision to provider. Adds outcome to database. 7. HEQC Tables the ETQA/Professional Council decision at its IJC/Accreditation committee meeting. Sends report of outcome to DoE. Adds outcome to database. 8. Provider Public - sends data to HEMIS. Private - sends NLRD data to the ETQA/professional council. If professional council is not an ETQA, NLRD data to be sent to the HEQC. 9. In case of appeal: Provider Appeals directly to ETQA/Professional Council if not satisfied with the accreditation decision. 10. ETQA/Professional Council Sends appeal notification to the HEQC. Take the appeal through its own appeal procedure. Notifies the HEQC of appeal outcome. Delegated functions Programme Accreditation/Evaluation/Approval Site visit Decision-making on programme evaluation outcome Communication with provider on application procedures and evaluation outcome Update, maintenance and uploading of learner records Responsibility over appeals Partial delegation model Model Description Partial delegation HEQC is partially confident about the quality management systems of the ETQA/Professional Council. HEQC will pilot-test the relationship with the relevant ETQA/Professional Council for an agreed period of time. The same procedure as in the delegation model will be followed, except that: The HEQC may request to attend evaluator training of the ETQA/Professional Council. The HEQC may request to select some evaluators. The HEQC may request to attend some site visits together with the ETQA/Professional Council. Partnership model Criteria for selection of a partnership model: Model Description Partnership The ETQA/Professional council has no Quality management system, but is interested in safeguarding the standards of the profession through quality assurance. The HEQC and the relevant ETQA or body jointly discharge functions relating to accreditation. Decision making rights on accreditation outcomes by mutual agreement between the HEQC and partner body. Provider follows policies, procedures and manuals of the HEQC. HEQC cycles of accreditation. Step by step process for the partnership model: Step Responsible party Process step 1. Provider Sends application for programme approval/accreditation directly to the HEQC. 2. HEQC Screens provider in relation to DoE and SAQA requirements: PQM for public providers. Registration status for private providers. Status of registration of the qualification on the NQF with SAQA. 3. HEQC Writes to ETQA/Professional Council to inform about the application: Name of provider, Name of programme/unit standard; NQF level, Date application received. Requests ETQA/Professional Council to nominate evaluators from amongst its pool. 4. ETQA/Professional Council Nominates evaluators to carry out evaluation/site visit in conjunction with HEQC. Evaluators write report. Sends report to the HEQC. 5. HEQC Tables report at IJC/Accreditation committee meeting. Communicates outcome to provider, ETQA/Professional Council and DoE. Adds outcome to database. 6. Provider Public - sends data to HEMIS. Private - sends data to NLRD or ETQA. 7. In case of appeal: Provider Appeals directly to HEQC if not satisfied with accreditation decision. 8. HEQC Write to ETQA/Professional Council notifying it of the appeal. Take the appeal through the HEQC appeal procedure, with representatives from the ETQA/Professional Council. Notify ETQA/Professional Council ETQA/Professional Council about appeal outcome. Model Criteria Association Information sharing and possible involvement by the HEQC in activities of other ETQAs and vice-versa. Printer friendly version (63Kb < 1min)   Top of page      Home      Feedback      Search      Contact us