Quality Assurance Mechanisms as Means for Improving Certification of Output in Universities in Niger Delta States

Abstract

Proliferation of university education and global labour impacts on Nigeria economy has continued to increase the demand for quality assurance. As a result, concerted efforts are required by universities to internalize the culture of quality in their production function in order to produce employable graduates that can drive the needed change and build sustainable economy.  Hence, the paper attempted to investigate internal quality assurance mechanisms adopted by universities in Niger Delta as a means for improving the overall quality of certification of output. The sample of 105 academic heads consists of Deans; Heads of department and Directors were sampled in three (3) universities in Niger Delta geo political zone.  A 20-item instrument titled ‘’ Quality Assurance Mechanisms and Certification of Output Questionnaire’’ (QAMCOQ) was designed in five Likert measuring scale and analyzed with descriptive statistics.  The results however have shown that the certification processes of graduates across universities in Niger Delta State can be strengthened by the internal quality assurance. Some quality assurance indicators identified include clearly defined goals of academic programme, involvement of academics in entrenching the culture of quality, strengthening admission procedure through the post university matriculation examination, preparation and submission of question paper, answer model and marking scheme, submission of examination booklets, and adherence to carrying capacity by management of universities and infrastructural improvement in the affected universities. It was therefore recommended that proprietors and managers of universities and relevant regulatory commission should continue to strengthen the processes of certification and provide more infrastructures to support the attainment of the National goals of university education.

Keywords: Quality, Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance Mechanisms