Assessment of Quality Assurance Practices on Performance of Graduates of Selected Private Universities in Western Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of quality assurance systems, practices and regulatory standards on the performance of graduates of selected universities in Western Uganda. The core question of this research was, is the teaching and learning provided in higher institutions of learning fit for purpose, does it prepare graduates with appropriate skills that employers need to meet the needs of society? To address this largely unresolved topic of discussion, this research aligned with a transformative research approach with qualitative methodologies. The study targeted 16 members of the university management team through purposive sampling; 19 employers and 17 graduates through snowball sampling. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and document reviews analysed thematically. Findings revealed that universities tried to meet stipulated regulatory standards for the minimum entry requirements, study programs always defined student learning outcomes, and monitoring and evaluation procedures were in place. Withal, it was reported that some accreditation requirements were not adhered to and some gaps in monitoring and evaluation practices were earmarked. It’s recommended that universities enhance quality assurance procedures and standards to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery and the teaching-learning environment to cater for the labour market needs.