Assessment of Quality of Education at the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering – AAiT Using Modified HEQAM – KAU Model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of education at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. It does so by using a modified HEQAM-KAU model which constitutes 7 core variables, namely, Curriculum, Academic Staff, Career prospect, Infrastructure, E-Services, Library services, and Administrative services. The study engaged a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches using closed questionnaire and semi structured interview. A descriptive type of research design was used due to the reason that this research method describes the characteristic of the phenomenon studied. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 125 students and 38 instructors. The model used in this study revealed that the quality of education offered at the Civil Engineering undergraduate program of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering was found to be medium from the perspective of the sample population that participated in the study. Based on individual analysis of main variables at the core of the assessment model, the major hindrances were identified as poor administrative services, inferior E-services and gloomy career prospect. As the findings indicate, there is a strong need to improve the institution’s links with business through internship and other programs to increase employment opportunities. It has also been suggested that University-Industry Linkage Office should be led by a qualified professional who specialized in the area as opposed to any academic staff. Similar suggestion has also been forwarded regarding the Office of External Relations, which, on paper, is tasked with sowing fruitful relations with other academic and research establishments in order to facilitate opportunities to continue studies abroad. Finally, it has been recommended that the school should form an internal quality assessment unit and plan periodic quality assessments on its own as part of improving the quality assurance efforts.