Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) System and Quality Framework for ODL of University of Ruhuna

Abstract

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) concept focuses on providing opportunities in education that is free from barriers of time, age, place and offering flexible learning opportunities at affordable cost. Quality assurance in ODL is designed with the aim of improving and proving the quality of institutional methods, maintaining accountability, improving the effectiveness and the efficacy of all the activities. These include the learners’ satisfaction, developing academic programmes, producing learning materials, services and support to the learners, and the standards of the outcome. University of Ruhuna has contributed to expand access to higher education and to acquire other competencies via providing the opportunities to follow external degrees and extension courses through the ODL system. Due to various disturbing factors, there has been a huge gap in maintaining standards in terms of service delivery, learners’ satisfaction, student learning, teaching, gaining public confidence, demonstrating good practices, the credibility of awards, and the employability of graduates in the ODL system of Distance and Continuing Education Unit (DCEU) of the university during the past period. With the establishment of Quality Assurance mechanism through the Centre of Quality Assurance (CQA) of the university and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the DCEU, implementing quality measures, quality enhancement and monitoring mechanism with respect to the academic, examinations and administrative functions are in the process of developing. This paper presents the quality assurance processes that have been already developed and implemented, suggestions for further enhancements, and then the internalized monitoring procedures suggested on achieving the expected standards.