Abstract
Programme review is one of the pillars of the quality assurance mechanism in the University. Since the implementation of this internal quality assurance exercise in 2007, a lot of qualitative and quantitative data have been collected. In addition, the meta-analyses of the programme review reports have also yielded useful information about good practices and recommendations in parameters under The Integrated Framework for Curriculum Development and Review (IF).
Three rounds of undergraduate programme reviews have been conducted together with the meta-analyses of the second and third rounds. Accordingly, the University has a basket of useful information about its educational outcomes as revealed by the programme performance which can be capitalised on for further enhancement.
To further implement a strategy for the continuous enhancement of quality and to develop a culture which recognises the importance of quality and quality assurance in the University, we are proposing to build up a database management system for programme review. All information collected in the second and third rounds of (and future) programme reviews will be digitalized and stored in this database management system for further analysis specified by stakeholders. This database management system will serve as a user-friendly vehicle to search for information on different parameters of programme reviews together with examples of good practices and recommendations. The ultimate goal of developing this database system is to enable the university and programmes to access easily integrated information on programme performance as well as the trend of the programme/faculty performance across different cycles of programme review.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
The project has been designed to build up a database management system (DBMS) to streamline the quality assurance of the university by providing a platform to store the digitalised information and useful data collected from the second and third (and future) cycles of programme reviews. The DBMS is a user-friendly platform for the university stakeholders to search for information on different parameters of programme reviews, backing with examples of good practices and recommendations.
Activities, process and outcomes
The build-up of DBMS consisted of two main domains: (1) the management of the basket of data from the second and the third cycles of undergraduate programme review and; (2) the development of the database application. The work of these two main domains were carried out in a parallel and spontaneous manners.
Deliverables and evaluation
After going through the various parts of frontend and backend development as well as the security checking, the first version of the database system was developed and deployed. When launched, eligble users can go to the database website to register for an account. All the access right granted users will be able to login the system and use the basic function (
https://uprdatabase.net/upr/).
A project website with the user manual, FAQ and different information of the system was also published (
https://web.uprdatabase.net).
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
As the project deliverables (end-product) can only be ready for demonstration and dissemination by the end of the project, no dissemination activities were organized. Experts in computer programming and some academic staff have been consulted for advice and comments.
Impact on teaching and learning
The DBMS will enable stakeholders (e.g., departments, faculties, administration unit (AQS) and senior management) to view the data drawn from the programme review reports. Programmes and faculties will be able to learn more about their own performance. The analysis will be very useful feedback for quality assurance at programme- and university-levels.
