Quality Standard 10: Learning Infrastructure and Resources



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Scope:

The institution has adequate and appropriate infrastructure facilities to conduct quality academic programmes irrespective of the mode of provision. The institution uses appropriate technological innovations in educational transactions to enrich the learning experiences it provides to students and manages the institution in a technology-enabled way for effective institutional functioning.


Summary of Standard Criteria

  1. The institution has adequate facilities and equipment to conduct academic programmes and administrative functions efficiently. There is a budget earmarked for procurement, updating, and maintenance of institutional equipment and facilities.
  2. Infrastructure growth keeps pace with student enrolment growth, and any technology used is compatible with the management information systems of the institution.
  3. There are procedures and mechanisms in place for the provision, availability, and maintenance of the institution's infrastructural facilities (e.g. laboratories, libraries, technological infrastructure).
  4. Library facilities include digital resources which are easy and less costly for students to access. These e-resources include openly licensed resources for the convenience of both staff and students.
  5. The institution embraces technology in its teaching and learning processes and in availing learning resources to students.
  6. Where appropriate, the institution has wide coverage through outreach centres to ensure equity and access.
  7. The institution has mechanisms to review the adequacy, appropriateness, and accessibility of resources and services for students and takes remedial measures to address inadequacies.
  8. When libraries or laboratories or any other facilities of other institutions are used to meet the needs of the programme, the institution has written agreements to ensure that these services and facilities are available to learners.
  9. The institution has a policy for the provision of infrastructure facilities and equipment by external stakeholders. This includes access to facilities of other institutions/organisations by students.
  10. The institution has a policy on the use of technology by staff and students (e.g. on accessibility, privacy, technical support, copyright on any software developed by staff and students).
  11. Where applicable, outreach centres are managed in a way that does not compromise the quality of services given to students.

Quality Assurance Evaluation

Performance Measure Keys:
  • 0: Fails to meet criterion
  • 1: Unsatisfactory
  • 2: Marginal
  • 3: Good
  • 4: Excellent
Criteria Standard Performance Indicators Sources of Evidence Performance Measure Motivation/Comment
10.1 The institution has adequate facilities and equipment to conduct academic programmes and administrative functions efficiently. There is a budget earmarked for procurement, updating and maintenance of institutional equipment and facilities. 10.1.1 The institution has sufficient facilities with university ambience and the required technological support for effective teaching and learning to take place. Physical facilities like laboratories, classrooms and physical and/or digital libraries; security policy, infrastructure policy, student handbook. 0 1 2 3 4
10.1.2 Necessary physical infrastructure (space and buildings) and campus hot spots are available for conducting small group interactions and other academic activities. Visit to physical facilities, interaction with staff and students, information package, student handbook. 0 1 2 3 4
10.1.3 The buildings and physical space are sufficient to accommodate the administrative staff for document processing, storage and other purposes. Visit to physical facilities, interaction with staff and students, by-laws/ regulations for physical infrastructure. 0 1 2 3 4
10.1.4 The institution has well equipped laboratories including media and production laboratories for developing course materials. Visit to physical facilities, infrastructure policy, MoUs/MoAs for use of laboratories, timetable, interaction with staff and students. 0 1 2 3 4
10.1.5 The institution provides individual offices for academic staff with access to technology to support teaching-learning and research. Visit to physical facilities, ICT Policy, interaction with staff and students. 0 1 2 3 4
10.1.6 The institution allocates a sufficient budget annually to replace, add and deploy new technology and related facilities. Approved Budget, Budgetary Allocations, balance sheets, audited statements of expenditure, corporate plan, minutes of the finance committee and infrastructure development committee, interaction with management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.2 Infrastructure growth keeps pace with student enrolment growth and any technology used is compatible with the management information systems of the institution. 10.2.1 The institution has an enrolment projection plan which facilitates planning of provision of infrastructure and facilities. Master plan, Institutional Founding Document, visit to physical facilities, corporate plan, interaction with infrastructure development committee and management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.2.2 There is a strategic plan for the institution covering the anticipated growth of the infrastructure to keep pace with institutional plans for academic expansion. Strategic plan, corporate plan, policy documents, minutes of the various infrastructure development committees, interaction with management and administrative staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.2.3 The institution conducts an annual review of facilities and usage rates. Strategic plan, corporate plan, policy documents, minutes of the various infrastructure development committees, usage registers, interaction with management and administrative staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.2.4 The outcome of the annual review of facilities and usage rates is used to improve the infrastructural facilities and as input to the strategic plan of the institution. Strategic plan, corporate plan, policy documents, minutes of the various infrastructure development committees, feedback data, interaction with management and administrative staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.2.5 Where eLearning is used, appropriate technological infrastructure and facilities, including appropriate bandwidth are provided. Reports on status of technology infrastructure, documents on backup support. 0 1 2 3 4
10.3 There are procedures and mechanisms in place for the provision, and maintenance of the institution's infrastructural facilities (eg. laboratories, libraries, technological infrastructure). 10.3.1 The institution’s strategic plan gives a clear direction on the provision, availability, maintenance, and development of infrastructural facilities. Strategic plan, corporate plan, policy documents, infrastructure policy and or procedure, minutes of the various infrastructure development committees, interaction with management and administrative staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.3.2 The institution has set procedures for maintenance of the infrastructural facilities including annual maintenance contracts. Strategic plan, corporate plan, policy documents, maintenance plan, maintenance records, inventory of infrastructure, minutes of the various infrastructure development committees, interaction with management and administrative staff . 0 1 2 3 4
10.3.3 The institution has an effective system for the management and maintenance of equipment. Corporate/ Strategic plan, financial management information system, maintenance procedure(s) and records, expenditure statements, minutes of maintenance and procurement committees, grievance and complaints committee documents and minutes. 0 1 2 3 4
10.4 Library facilities includes digital resources which are easy and less costly for students to access. These e-resources include openly licensed resources for the convinience of both staff and students. 10.4.1 The library facilities are developed, considering the student profile of the institution. Library Policy, Institutional Repository, Open Educational Resources (OER) Policy, Information package, student handbook, course materials, feedback data, library committee minutes, interaction with students and staff . 0 1 2 3 4
10.4.2 The library catalogue is up-to-date and easily accessible to learners. library catalogue, Interaction with students and staff; library committee minutes. 0 1 2 3 4
10.4.3 The library is computerised and has sufficient materials available in electronic form (e-books, e- journals). Information package, student handbook, course materials, feedback data, library committee minutes, visit to library, Course outlines, study guides, LMS, interaction with students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.4.4 The library provides e- resources and reprographic facilities to staff and learners. Library Policy, Library committee minutes, visit to library, interaction with students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.4.5 There is an inter – library borrowing facility which is accessible to both students and the staff. Library Policy, Library committee minutes, visit to library, interaction with students and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.4.6 The library has sufficient qualified staff trained to deal with the latest electronic media and provide adequate support to the learners to access the library facilities. Recruitment policies, institution’s rules and regulations, minutes of recruitment committees, training records, interaction with management and staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.4.7 There is justified allocation of financial resources for the upkeep, maintenance and development of the library. Library Committee records, Allocations, balance sheets, audited statements of expenditure, corporate plan, minutes of the finance committee and infrastructure development committee, interaction with management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.5 The institution embraces technology in its teaching and learning processes and in availing learning resources to students. 10.5.1 The institution makes extensive use of technology for learning and ensures that the technical infrastructure for delivery (e.g. computers, internet, electricity, audio/video facilities) is fully operational. . ICT Policy, Strategic plan, corporate plan, policy documents, minutes of the various infrastructure development committees, LMS, interaction with management and administrative staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.5.2 There is a process in place to monitor and maintain the equipment and technology in good working order and to facilitate annual maintenance contracts. Strategic plan, corporate plan, budget allocations, minutes of the various infrastructure development committees, Maintenance Procedure, Maintenance Plan, ICT Inventory, interaction with management and administrative staff. 0 1 2 3 4
10.5.3 Adequate ICT facilities are available in the institution and are accessible to all academic and administrative staff. ICT Policy, ICT Inventory, Information package, student handbook, visit to facilities, interaction with staff and students. 0 1 2 3 4
10.6 Where appropriate, the institution has wide coverage through outreach centres to ensure equity and access. 10.6.1 The outreach centers are widely distributed across different geographic areas including remote areas. Policy document, corporate plans, institutional details, details on outreach centres, MoUs/MoAs with relevant outreach cenres, expansion plans, strategic plan documents, interaction with management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.6.2 The information on the available services at the outreach centers and those at the central facility is made known to all learners and staff. Policy document, corporate plans, institutional details, details on outreach centres, expansion plans, induction records, orientation handbook, strategic plan documents, interaction with management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.6.3 The institution constantly monitors the performance of the outreach centers in terms of quality, access, and equity. Minutes of the course coordinators’ meetings, feedback, year planner, schedules, course materials, usage records, LMS Footprint, interaction with staff, students and management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.6.4 The institution has clearly laid down guidelines to select, review, monitor and provide guidance to the managers and staff of the outreach centers. Minutes of the course coordinators’ meetings, feedback, year planner, schedules, course materials, interaction with staff, students, and management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.6.5 There is a strong and cordial linkage between the institution and the outreach centers facilitating timely communication and good relationships. Minutes of the course coordinators’ meetings, feedback, year planner, schedules, course materials, MoUs/MoAs with relevant outreach cenres, interaction with staff, students and management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.7 The institution has mechanisms to review the adequacy, appropriateness and accessibility of resources and services for students and takes remedial measures to address inadequacies. 10.7.1 The institution obtains feedback from learners and staff on the adequacy and accessibility of the support facilities and learning resources available at the institution and the outreach centers. Institution’s rules and regulations, student handbook, information package, minutes of the course coordinators’ meetings, feedback, LMS, minutes showing student involvement in relevant committees, year planner, schedules, course materials, interaction with staff, students and management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.7.2 The outcome of the feedback is acted upon, and appropriate remedial measures are taken to overcome any inadequacies. . Feedback Analysis reports, Institution’s rules and regulations, student handbook, information package, minutes of the course coordinators’ meetings, feedback, year planner, schedules, course materials, interaction with staff, students and management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.7.3 There is provision in the budget for meeting unforeseen emergencies in the provision of learning support facilities . Strategic Plan, Approved Budget, Allocations, balance sheets, audited statements of expenditure, corporate plan, minutes of the finance committee and infrastructure development committee, interaction with management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.8 When libraries or laboratories or any other facilities of other institutions are used to meet the needs of the programme, the institution has written agreements to ensure that these services and facilities are available to learners. 10.8.1 The institution has clear procedures for learners to access the facilities of other institutions available on a sharing basis. Policy documents, MOUs/MoAs, minutes of course development committees, executive bodies and interaction with the staff and management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.8.2 Contracts with other institutions allowing learner access to specified facilities are clearly written and legally enforceable. Policy documents, MOUs/ MoAs, minutes of course development committees, executive bodies and interaction with the staff and management. 0 1 2 3 4
10.8.3 The institution ensures regular monitoring of the accessibility of the facilities and services offered to the learners by other institutions. . QA Audit reports, Course materials, information package, year planner, minutes of the course planning and course design committees, interaction with students, staff and course developers. 0 1 2 3 4
10.9 The institution has a policy for the provision of infrastructure facilities and equipment by external stakeholders. This includes access to facilities of other institutions/organisations by students. . 10.9.1 The institution has well laid out procedures and mechanisms for establishing and equipping outreach centres by stakeholders. Infrastructure Policy, Infrastructure Specifications, Partnerships Policy, Community Engagement Policy. 0 1 2 3 4
10.9.2 The institution has clear guidelines for the use of infrastructure, facilities and equipment by the immediate community. Infrastructure Policy, Infrastructure Specifications, Partnerships Policy, Community Engagement Policy. 0 1 2 3 4
10. 10 The institution has a policy on use of technology by staff and students (e.g. on accessibility, privacy, technical support, copyright on any software developed by staff and students) . 10.10.1 There is a policy on use of technology by staff and students. Policy guidelines on use of technology; privacy issues, copyright where technological software and/or content is developed by university employees or students. 0 1 2 3 4
10. 11 Where applicable, outreach centres are managed in a way that does not compromise the quality of services given to students . 10.11.1 The institution ensures quality service provision to students across all centres of delivery . Guidelines on service provision at outreach centres; review reports, monitoring plans. 0 1 2 3 4
Quality Standard 9 Quality Standard 11