Midlands State University Quality Assurance & Professional Development hosted a three-day National Multiplication Training workshop focusing on equipping chairpersons of academic departments from across higher learning institutions in Zimbabwe with the requisite knowledge, skills and best practices from the 9th to the 11th of September 2024 at Gweru Main Campus.
Sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Program, the workshop saw lecturers from across universities convening to share and learn best ways of establishing viable departmental quality assurance committees set on ensuring that standard operating procedures are adhered to and implemented to the dot.
In his welcome remarks, Executive Director – Quality Assurance and Professional Development, Professor A. S. Chiromo underscored the importance of quality assurance in academic institutions.
“In a world rapidly shaped by technology, issues of quality assurance have become more important than before; and this workshop provides a platform to share ideas on best practices that will enhance the quality assurance skills of academic chairpersons for universities to remain operating under world class standards ,” he said.
Professor E. Mangwaya outlined the objectives of the workshop stating that the main goal of the workshop was to equip chairpersons of academic departments with quality assurance skills.
Participants had an opportunity to engage with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, CEO, Professor K. P. Dzvimbo whose presentation underscores the importance of quality assurance in higher education to ensure quality, integrity and high standards of education provision and outcomes.
Presentations provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and skills required in a quality-biased environment.
The apex of the workshop was marked by the launching of a comprehensive handbook for chairpersons and departments that will enable the professionals to implement best practices in quality assurance governance.
Certificates of participation were issued to the participants of the workshop .
In his closing remarks, MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa applauded the organisers of the workshop and the participants stating that their participation was a clear demonstration of their eagerness for capacity building in the area of quality assurance.
The training workshop strengthened collaboration among academics, highlighting the centrality of quality assurance in higher education.