Eligibility - Who Can Apply
2012-02-07Eligibility for QIF Grants: Institutional Plans for Quality Assurance and Self- Evaluation
All tertiary institutions (including universities and technical & university colleges) in the West Bank and Gaza which are licensed and accredited by the MOEHE are eligible to apply for QIF grants. Eligibility for applying for QIF grants is further dependent on the university or college having an Institutional Plan for Quality Assurance and Self-Evaluation (which is going to receive targeted funds under Component 2 of the Higher Education Project supported by the World Bank.
All tertiary institutions are expected to have a focal point for quality assurance purposes and for both internal coordination and external liaison relative to quality assessment and improvement activities, including institutional and program accreditation. Some institutions, namely the technical, vocational and university colleges will be put into groupings with a single Quality Unit/Office. These colleges can therefore apply for QIF funds as a grouping/cluster or, alternatively, present individual applications or proposals with other public, private or academic partners.
Although most Quality Units/Offices will tend to reside in Academic Affairs, it is feasible that they be placed in a Planning Office or directly in the President’s Office. It is not expected for QIF purposes that a Quality Unit/Office be a fully functional component of a tertiary institution prior to the initial application for a QIF grant. However, the institution will want to focus early attention on the development of a Quality Unit/Office in order to work effectively with the national accreditation process and to maximize quality improvement activity internal to the institution. However, A brief description of an institution’s Quality Unit/Office must be on record with AQAC which will provide copies to the QIF Board. At least one page in length, the description should include:
- The name of the institution
- The name and contact information for the Director of the Quality Unit/Office
- In what office does the Quality Unit/Office reside (such as Vice President of Academic Affairs, President’s Office, Planning Office, or other)
Although each tertiary institution will have latitude in the organization and functions of the Quality Unit/Office, the following general functions are advised:
- Provide coordinating services internal to the institutions for purposes of self-evaluation and quality improvement;
- Provide a focal point for institutional planning, including new program development. This does not necessarily mean that the Quality Unit/Office will do these functions but they should be very aware of the various institutional functions and how they fit together to make a quality institution of tertiary education;
- Provide liaison services for the institution to the Quality Improvement Fund;
- As central services are provided in the areas of management and teaching/learning improvement, fund raising, and other areas, provide notification to the appropriate sectors of the institution;
- Provision of liaison services with the national accreditation process, including a focal point for the coordination of institutional or programmatic reports to AQAC;
- Participation in training programs and system-wide meetings related to quality in Palestinian tertiary education.
It is expected that Tertiary Education Project funds outside of QIF will be available to institutions to assist in funding the activities of tertiary institutions in the areas of quality, planning and management. This process will be developed and overseen by a Higher Education Project Technical Committee composed of representatives of the QIF Board, AQAC, the Council for Higher Education, the PCU and other bodies and will be chaired by the Assistant Deputy Minister for Higher Education. To continue receiving non-QIF funds for quality, planning and management functions, the institution must demonstrate progress in carrying out these activities as evaluated by the Tertiary Education Project Technical Committee.