Examining Quality Assurance Challenges in Two Private Higher Education Institutions in Zimbabwe: Implications to Institutional Good Practices

This study examined quality assurance challenges faced in two private universities in Harare. The study was motivated by the expansion of private universities in offering access to higher education. There is need to ensure that and there is consistent academic quality education which fit purpose. An interpretive paradigm was employed while a mixed-method research approach was used, which necessitated the use of both quantitative surveys from students with qualitative data coming from academic staff and institution administrators. Findings revealed that while private institutions established internal quality assurance structures, they still face major challenges which include: financial limitations, shortage of qualified staff, weak ICT infrastructure, inconsistent policies which affected the implementation processes. There is therefore, need for a stronger institutional commitment from stakeholders, to fund the necessary investments in quality assurance. Recommendations include the need for closer collaborations with quality regulatory bodies for the sustenance of academic quality assurance processes in these private higher education institutions. Furthermore, there is need to strengthen internal Quality Assurance mechanisms in these private institutions, to enhance staff development programmes, and to have a fair improvement of resource allocations. Finally, there is need to foster partnerships between the government and the business communities for continuous quality assurance improvement.

Quality Assurance in Higher Education

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