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Home » About COSTAATT » Quality Assurance & Accreditation
Quality Assurance & Accreditation
Accreditation: Commitment to the external quality evaluation process
The College is committed to the delivery of quality education that meets the needs of its stakeholders, and recognizes the critical role and contribution of quality improvement to this process. The College is also committed to a reflective and pro-active review of its operations and programme offerings and in addition, welcomes the objective analysis of its quality processes through external evaluation.
As part of the College’s quality philosophy we strive, in keeping with legal and regulatory frameworks, to identify, redress and continually improve our quality systems and processes. As such, it embraces the national and international quality standards and requirements set by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT). Having been recently certified by the ACTT for three years as a registered institution for the period June 11, 2008 to June 10, 2011, COSTAATT is in the process of seeking accreditation. The Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago was established by an Act of Parliament, No. 16 of 2004 to accredit registered post secondary and tertiary education institutions in Trinidad and Tobago.
Quality: Establishing, implementing and maintaining the College’s quality management system
COSTAATT’s Quality Policy is the foundation upon which its Quality Management System (QMS) has been structured. It enshrines the essence of our vision and mission and charts the College’s direction in fulfilment of its quality objectives. The policy provides a structure that facilitates evaluation of the learning experience and assures standards and performance that allow for planning and continuous improvement throughout the organisation. Moreover, the Quality Policy incorporates the following which has been adopted as the College’s quality statement:
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The College is committed to:
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fostering and maintaining a culture which is aligned with the institution’s mission and vision, and capable of honest, transparent and critical self-evaluation;
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implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) which will ensure compliance with relevant legislative and/or professional standards and regulations;
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creating the conditions for improving the quality of the learning experience by continuously monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching, learning, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities;
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providing supportive services and a stimulating learning climate which encourage student retention and achievement;
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providing mechanisms for feedback from students, internal customers and other stakeholders in order to improve its services;
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establishing and maintaining a quality assurance system which ensures the continuous improvement of teaching, learning and all support systems at the College;
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establishing an integrated planning and quality assurance cycle which is effectively communicated throughout the organisation and which guides all college operations;
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developing, implementing, monitoring and, where appropriate, benchmarking standards and/or targets for all areas of activity;
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investing in training and development to build staff capacity to maintain continuous improvement systems;
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ensuring responsibility and accountability in all relationships with its stakeholders including: students, faculty, staff, partners, the government and local communities.
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The Role of the Quality Council
The College’s Quality Council was convened in January 2008 and comprises a cross-section of academic and non-academic staff. All members of the Council have undergone training in quality management and have acquired the requisite skills and knowledge to assist in streamlining the operations, programmes and services which the College provides to both internal and external customers. This Council is a key component in the College’s quality management system and its members are expected to play a pivotal role as change agents in the emergence and cementing of a quality culture
The Role of the Director, Quality Assurance and Accreditation
A key member of the Quality Council is the Director, Quality Assurance and Accreditation, who reports to the President. The role of the Director, Quality Assurance and Accreditation is to: (a) help internal customers achieve their quality objectives; (b) assist in managing the QMS and (c) ensure the maintenance of the quality assurance activities. The QMS allows for primacy of inputs from key stakeholders at all levels into the identification and resolution of quality issues. The quality director performs a synergistic role, interacting with stakeholders, coordinating inputs and providing guidance on improvement initiatives. |
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