This reflective note was contributed by Dr Mike Cantrell who is the co-ordinator of the Educational Quality Improvement Program (EQUIP) based in Addis Ababa. 

Mike describes the difficulties associated with establishing momentum for quality assurance in HE institutions.  It is essential for all role players to recognise that responsibility for quality assurance should lie with the departments, faculties and senate themselves. A separate quality unit should be established for internal audits and liaison with the external agency.

The staff or academic development function should not be left to take on the quality unit role - as one cannot be seen to be "both the policeman and the friend".

The case study is available here: EQUIP Ethiopia Case Study - Quality and the ADRCs.pdf (51 KB)