MU-WEBSITE- Mzumbe University Website & System

Unit Overview

The Quality Assurance Unit at Mzumbe University was established in response to a requirement by the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), which mandates that every university must have a Quality Assurance Unit. In compliance with this directive, Mzumbe University set up the unit, which is headed by the head of the unit. The unit is tasked with several responsibilities to ensure quality in the delivery of education, research, consultancy, and support services across the university. As such, the unit acts as a watchdog, ensuring that the university adheres to the required standards in its day-to-day activities in areas such as:

Monitoring, Coordination, and Supervision of Teaching and Learning: This includes all activities related to the quality of teaching and learning at the university.
Overseeing Quality in Research and Publications: The unit is responsible for implementing the university's Quality Assurance policy related to research and publications, including monitoring the quality of research, short-course training, supervision, and community services.
Monitoring Quality of Support Services: This includes assessing all activities related to staff and student welfare, accommodation, security, sports and games, health, and infrastructure support services.

Mission

To promote and enhance the quality of university services through cooperation with staff and students, fostering interactions that advance teaching, learning, research, and community service.

Vision

To become a fully established university advisory and regulatory organ on all matters that affect the quality of teaching and learning processes.

Responsibilities of the Unit

(a) Providing advice to University organs on quality assurance issues.

(b) Ensuring that set performance standards in all aspects of University functions are appropriate and relevant.

(c) Developing and periodically updating general operational manuals to guide University-level QA operations, as well as instruments for use in evaluations.

(d) Provide technical guidance and advice to implementing units to ensure compliance to set quality standards.

(e) Providing advice and guidance on implementing units on the execution of QA activities.

(f) Coordinate internal self-assessments including programme assessments, facility inspections and institutional audits.

(g) Facilitate external evaluation of the University by National and International accreditation agencies.

(h) Monitoring the implementation of recommendations of internal and external quality assurance evaluations (improvement plans).

(i) Analyzing all QA reports (students’ course evaluations, External Examiners’reports, external audit reports, etc.) and identification of issues arising from them for the attention of the management at the departmental, faculty/school, college, and University levels.

(j) Advising the management on QA matters relating to teaching/learning, research, and consultancy, and matters relating to internal support services. For example, regularly carrying out monitoring of the teaching and learning process and the learning environment including the conduct of university examinations.

(k) Updating the Senior Management on the functioning of the QA system and the overall quality status of the University.

(l) Linking the University with the National Higher Education Commissions, Councils, and related agencies in QA matters; and linking the University with professional bodies that are relevant to its various curricula.

(m) Coordinating and supporting tracer studies and exit surveys.

(n) Coordinating internal and external assessment of programmes and the institution as a whole.

(o) Organizing seminars, workshops, and conferences on quality assurance to create a culture of quality assurance in the system.

Short Course Calender 2021

Dr. Lawrencia D Mushi

Director

Unit Contact Info

Quality Assurance Unit

Mzumbe University

Work Hours

Mon – Fri 07:30A.M. – 03:30P.M.

Departments

Academics, Research, and Consultancy Section

Support Services Section

Academics, Research, and Consultancy Section

The Academics, Research, and Consultancy Section is responsible for ensuring that academic programs and curricula align with the standards prescribed by quality agencies, such as the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA). This includes evaluating teaching methods, assessment approaches, technology used in teaching and learning, and students' fieldwork to maintain academic excellence. The section also monitors the student assessment system, guided by the Examination and Student Assessment Criteria By-Laws, which are approved by the Senate and ratified by the University Council. The process involves external moderation of examination papers and marked scripts, as well as internal examiners and faculty/institute board meetings, all followed by Senate approval. In addition, the section ensures that students participate in the evaluation of lecturers, focusing on aspects such as teaching effectiveness, grading, and feedback quality. The unit advises the management on the importance of such feedback to support quality education. The section oversees research, publications, and consultancy activities, ensuring that the outputs meet the standards outlined in the relevant policies and guidelines. It also monitors staff development and capacity-building initiatives, advising on mechanisms for staff appraisal and human development policies, as well as recruitment and selection systems, all in line with quality standards.

Support Services Section

The Support Services Section is responsible for overseeing the quality of various support services that contribute to the overall functioning of the university. This includes ensuring that the teaching and learning environments, staff welfare, student accommodation, catering, environmental cleanliness, security, and secretarial services meet established standards. The section works with identified service providers to maintain high-quality support across these areas. In addition, the section advises the university on quality assurance mechanisms and practices related to conducting internal institutional self-assessments. These assessments are also subject to external reviews, in compliance with the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) requirements and the Performance Improvement Model (PIM).