Constitution of the Quality Enhancement Cell at the Lahore School of Economics

1. Dr. Azam Chaudhry, Pro-Rector, Department of Economics and Head QEC
2. Ms. Amberin Tanveer, Director, QEC
3. Ms. Khadeeja Idrees, Assistant Director, QEC
4. Ms. Sundus Farooq, Assistant Director, QEC
5. Ms. Syeda Anna Amjad, Assistant Director, QEC
6. Ms. Zara Nadeem, Assistant Director, QEC
7. Ms. Asma Riaz, Assistant Director, QEC

Membership of International Bodies

The Lahore School of Economics renewed memberships of the following International Bodies during the year 2020-24

1. Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN) – The APQN is a non – governmental and non – profit network with 208 members from 40 countries and territories aiming to enhance the quality of higher education in the Asia – Pacific region. The network focuses on quality assurance in higher education, cross border education, international collaboration and capacity building.
2. International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) – INQAAHE is an international Quality Assurance body that works closely with National Accreditation bodies and academicians to facilitate educational quality in round 140 countries. The main purpose of the network is to collect and disseminate information on the current and developing theory and practice in the assessment, improvement and maintenance of quality in higher education. It promotes good practices in the maintenance and improvement of quality, facilitates research into the practice of quality management in higher education and its effectiveness. It permits better – informed international recognition of qualifications and assists members in determining the standards of institutions operating across national borders.
3. Association of Quality Assurance Agencies of the Islamic World (QA – Islamic) – QA-Islamic was established in 2011 with the goals of enhancing the capacity of quality assurance agencies in countries of the Islamic World. It also aims to facilitate collaboration and exchanges of best practices, experiences and expertise among quality assurance agencies of countries of the Islamic World and encourages co-operation with regional and international quality assurance organizations.
4. Pakistan Network of Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PNQAHE) – PNQAHE was launched in the 1^st International Conference on Quality Assurance in Higher Education, December 18-19, 2017 organized by Khyber Medical University at Peshawar. The purpose of the network is to provide a platform to QECs of Pakistani HEIs to share best practices and address issues.

Conferences Attended / Participated

1. Director QEC presented a paper in the “International Conference of PNQAHE & Annual General Meeting, "Future Proofing Quality Assurance in Higher Education”. The topic of the paper presentation was “Blended Education from the perspective of 4th Industrial Revolution and the COVID Pandemic using the example of Lahore School of Economics”. The conference, held from March 3-5, 2024, in Islamabad, brought together experts and stakeholders in higher education to discuss strategies for enhancing quality assurance amidst rapidly changing technological and societal conditions. The presentation highlighted the role of blended education—combining online and traditional learning methods—in adapting to these changes. It examined the challenges and opportunities faced by educational institutions, particularly using the Lahore School of Economics as a case study. The discussion included the impact of technological advancements on teaching and learning, as well as the lessons learned from the pandemic in maintaining educational quality and accessibility.
2. Director QEC attended “Progress Review Meeting & Training of QECs at FCCU”. This training was organized by Higher Education Commission and was held at Forman Christian College from 23^rd to 25^th April,2024. The meeting aimed to review the progress of Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) across various institutions and provide training on best practices and new guidelines in quality assurance. During the event, participants discussed the performance and achievements of QECs, identified areas for improvement, and explored strategies for enhancing the quality of higher education. The training sessions likely covered topics such as data collection and analysis, accreditation processes, curriculum development, and faculty evaluation. This gathering provided an opportunity for QEC professionals to share experiences, learn from each other, and stay updated on the latest standards and expectations set by the Higher Education Commission.
3. Director QEC attended a conference on "International Conference on Accreditation and Internationalization in South Asian HEIs", Conference Conducted Under ERASMUS Plus Funded Project: Strategic Support for Accreditation of Programs and Internationalization at South Asian Higher Education Institutes (SSAPI). The conference was held in Islamabad on 3^rd June,2024. The event focused on the dual themes of accreditation and internationalization within higher education institutions in South Asia. Accreditation refers to the formal recognition of the quality and standards of educational programs, while internationalization involves integrating global perspectives into the curriculum, research, and overall institutional culture. The conference likely addressed challenges and strategies for achieving these goals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high academic standards and enhancing the global competitiveness of South Asian HEIs. It provided a platform for educators, administrators, and policymakers to share insights, explore innovative approaches, and discuss the impact of internationalization on the region's higher education landscape.

QEC Activities / Tasks

Instructors have been instructed to upload all lectures, course outlines/course packs, quizzes/assignments and lecture slides on the Lahore School Student Portal for easy access to students and all relevant bodies. The QEC staff has been preparing a tabular grid recording uploads of faculty course material/lectures on a weekly basis for circulation to the Deans/Director’s Committee and Faculty members. Also, a manual record is being maintained by the QEC office of instructor’s course outlines and exam papers for every semester.

Regular Peer Evaluation of Faculty members is being carried out. The report of the Peer Evaluator (a senior faculty member or Head of Department) is emailed to the instructor, Rector, HOD’s, HR department and also discussed with the faculty member.

The QEC department at the Lahore School of Economics is focused on collecting Course Learning Objectives (CLOs) from various courses and analyzing the data to determine the extent to which instructors have achieved these objectives. This initiative helps ensure that the courses meet their intended educational outcomes and maintain high standards of teaching quality. By tracking the achievement of CLOs, the department can identify areas for improvement, provide targeted support to instructors, and enhance the overall learning experience for students.

Self-Assessment Reports (SAR’s)

Self-Assessment Reports were prepared for all non-accredited programs on the parameters specified by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The process entails formation of a Program Team which prepares the SAR. An Assessment Team evaluates the reports giving recommendations for improvement. The Head of Department then prepares an implementation plan based on the recommendations which are followed up in the upcoming year.

MS / MPhil/ PhD Review

The Lahore School of Economics conducted an MS/MPhil/PhD Review on May 10^th, 2024.The review panel comprised of the following members:

1. Dr. Azam Chaudhry, Pro-Rector, Dean Faculty of Economics and Head QEC
2. Dr. Sohail Zafar, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration
3. Dr. Nawaz Chaudhry Professor, Head of Department Environmental Science Department.

The review teams had meetings with all major stakeholders, students and faculty. The above stakeholders gave valuable feedback which will be part of the report to be shared with the Rector and follow up on these recommendations will be carried out in the upcoming year.

Lahore School of Economics Quality Policy

1. Background

The Quality Assurance Agency of the Higher Education Commission (QAA-HEC) has introduced the Pakistan Precepts, Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (PSG-2023), set to be effective from July 01, 2024. The PSG-2023 comprises of three main components, i.e., Review of the Effectiveness of Quality Assurance and Accreditation Bodies (REQAAB), Review of Institutional Performance and Enhancement (RIPE) and the Program Review for Effectiveness and Enhancement (PREE). However, only two, i.e., RIPE and PREE, are pertinent to the quality assurance mechanisms of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

2. Review of Institutional Performance and Enhancement (RIPE)

RIPE encompasses sixteen standards to evaluate an HEI’s performance. These are;

1. 1. Standard 1: Vision, Mission, Goals and Strategic Planning
   2. Standard 2: Governance, Leadership and Organization
   3. Standard 3: Institutional Resources and Planning
   4. Standard 4: Audit and Finance
   5. Standard 5: Affiliated Colleges/Institutions
   6. Standard 6: Internationalization of Higher Education and Global Engagement
   7. Standard 7: Faculty Recruitment, Development and Support Services
   8. Standard 8: Academic Programs and Curricula
   9. Standard 9: Admission, Progression, Assessment, and Certification
   10. Standard 10: Student Support Services
   11. Standard 11: Impactful Teaching and Learning and Community Engagement
   12. Standard 12: Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Industrial Linkage
   13. Standard 13: Fairness and Integrity
   14. Standard 14: Public Information and Transparency
   15. Standard 15: Institutional Effectiveness, Quality Assurance and Enhancement
   16. Standard 16: CQI and Cyclical External Quality Assurance

The judgment framework of RIPE defines four levels - Effective, Progressive, Ineffective, and Unclassified - for categorizing HEIs based on their performance against the standards. Following will be assessed to determine the category level of an HEI;

1. Policies exist against each requirement of all standards
2. Policies are developed through consultative mechanisms
3. Policies are approved through provided statutory processes
4. Policies are widely disseminated among all relevant stakeholders

Policies are implemented through effective arrangements

Profiles

Head QEC
Dr. Azam Chaudhry

Email                     azam@lahoreschool.edu.pk
Qualification         Ph.D. in Economics
Experience          Pro Rector: Lahore School of Economics Director ITC

Director QEC
Ms. Amberin Tanveer

Email                     amberin@lahoreschool.edu.pk
Qualification         MBA in Marketing
Experience           24 years experience as a Director, QEC

Senior Assistant Director QEC
Ms. Sehrish Khan

Email                     sehrishk@lahoreschool.edu.pk
Qualification         MBA in Marketing
Experience           10 years experience as Assistant Director, QEC

Senior Assistant Director QEC
Ms. Khadeeja Idrees

Email                     Khadeeja@lahoreschool.edu.pk
Qualification         MBA in Marketing
Experience           06 years experience as Assistant Director, QEC

Senior Assistant Director QEC
Ms. Sundus Farooq

Email                     sundus@lahoreschool.edu.pk
Qualification         MBA in Marketing
Experience           06 years experience as Assistant Director, QEC

Assistant Director QEC
Ms. Syeda Anna Amjad

Email                     anna@lahoreschool.edu.pk
Qualification         MBA in Marketing
Experience           03 years experience as Assistant Director, QEC

Assistant Director QEC
Ms. Zara Nadeem

Email                     zara.nadeem@lahoreschool.edu.pk
Qualification         MBA in Marketing
Experience           01 years experience as Assistant Director, QEC