External Peer Review Report
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Department of Philosophy JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY External Peer Review Report by Dr. Kripa Shanker Gupta Director, IQAC and Executive Education ISBR Business School, Bangalore-560100, Karnataka, India Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Muhit Professor, Department of Philosophy University of Dhaka Dr. Kazi Bayzid Kabir Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering Additional Director, Institutional Quality Assurance Cell Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology Submitted to Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh April 2018 Preface The Government of Bangladesh under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is committed to change the landscape of higher education through enhancement of quality of higher education and research in the country. To achieve the target of quality education, the Government and the World Bank have generously funded the project which is known as Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP). This project has been implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh with appropriate assistance from the World Bank. A self-assessment Manual was prepared by UGC to serve as guidelines for the universities to implement the self-assessment and quality assurance at program level, with continuous communication with the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the respective university. The mission of all higher education institutions is to produce well trained graduates equipped with essential knowledge of the educational program and ability to effectively apply the acquired knowledge in real world applications. Students are expected to demonstrate positive attitudes and values, together with necessary twenty first century skills to meet the changing requirements for employment. This will ultimately assist in implementing the development plans of Bangladesh. Assurance of quality in higher education is a process of establishing stakeholders’ confidence that fulfils expectations or measures up to threshold minimum requirements. Quality assurance is an all-embracing term covering all the policies, processes and actions through which quality of higher education is maintained, developed and enhanced. Quality assurance cannot happen automatically or accidentally, it has to be planned. Quality assurance is not any single thing but an aura, an atmosphere, an overpowering feeling that ‘the Institution is doing everything with excellence. 1_Page Acknowledgement We, the External Peer Review Team (EPRT) members, would like to thank the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Jahangirnagar University for giving us the opportunity to review the Department of Philosophy. Appreciation is also extended to the Honorable Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University for spending her valuable time with us. Our heartfelt appreciation is accorded to all the faculty members of the Department of Philosophy, especially the Head and Members of the Self- Assessment Committee (SAC). Their continuous support and great logistical arrangements prepared for us were simply amazing. They were generous and readily available, fulfilling every request that EPRT made. Special gratitude goes to the Director and the Additional Directors of IQAC, Jahangirnagar University for their work plan, coordination and constant support from the time of arrival at Jahangirnagar University until departure. The EPRT is also very thankful to everyone who helped us during the three days, including all the stakeholders of the Department. The EPRT affirms that the content of the report is the result of the analysis of the SAR prepared by the SAC, the presentation by SAC, information received from meetings with stakeholders and their recommendations, site visit of physical facilities, and thoughtful feedbacks from the University administrators. Dr. Kripa Shanker Gupta Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Muhit Dr. Kazi Bayzid Kabir 2_Page Table of Contents Preface............................................................................................................................................. 1 Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................................... 2 List of Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1: Overview of the Program Review ................................................................................. 6 1.1 Main Principles of Program Review ..................................................................................... 6 1.2 Aspects under Review ........................................................................................................... 7 1.3 The External Peer Review Process........................................................................................ 8 Chapter 2: Overview of Program .................................................................................................. 12 2.1 An Overview of Jahangirnagar University.......................................................................... 12 2.2 Mission and Objectives of the University ...................................................................... 14 2.3 Overview of Department of Philosophy.............................................................................. 14 Chapter 3: Aims, Objectives and Learning Outcomes .................................................................. 17 3.1 Objectives of the Program ................................................................................................ 17 3.2 Learning Outcomes ............................................................................................................. 17 Chapter 4: Findings of the Peer Reviewers ................................................................................... 18 4.1 General Comments ......................................................................................................... 18 4.2 Findings on Quality Assurance Criteria ......................................................................... 19 4.2.1 Criterion 1: Governance .......................................................................................... 19 4.2.2 Criterion 2: Curriculum Content, Design and Review ................................................. 20 4.2.3 Criterion 3: Student Admission, Progress and Achievements ...................................... 21 4.2.4 Criterion 4: Physical facilities ...................................................................................... 21 4.2.5 Criterion 5: Teaching-Learning and Assessment ......................................................... 22 4.2.6 Criterion 6: Student Support Services .......................................................................... 23 4.2.7 Criterion 7: Staff and Facilities .................................................................................... 24 4.2.8 Criterion 8: Research and Extension ............................................................................ 24 3_Page 4.2.9 Criterion 9: Process Management and Continuous Improvement ................................ 25 Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations ............................................................................. 26 5.1 Conclusion and Recommendations .................................................................................... 26 5.2 Judgments ........................................................................................................................... 27 4_Page List of Abbreviations CLO Course Learning Outcomes EPRT External Peer Review Team GoB Government of Bangladesh HEQEP Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project ILO Intended Learning Outcomes IQAC Intuitional Quality Assurance Cell JU Jahangirnagar University LOF Learner-Oriented Facilitation OBE Outcome-Based Education PLO Program Learning Outcomes PoE Program Offering Entity QA Quality Assurance SAC Self-Assessment Committee SAR Self-Assessment Report SDLs Self –Directed Leaners SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats TOT Teacher-Oriented Teaching TSC Teacher-Students Centre UGC University Grant Commission of Bangladesh 5_Page Chapter 1: Overview of the Program Review This chapter outlines the main principles of program review, the aspects under review and description of the peer review process. 1.1 Main Principles of Program Review The most important aspects of quality education generally refer to the quality of teaching- learning and research which relate directly to academic activities. In this respect, all academic activities are functionally taking place at the program level. To maintain and enhance education quality of the program, regular program review exercise is necessary for evaluating and continuously enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the program under review. Program review is a cyclical process which is critical for improving its quality of teaching-learning and research and it is also a requirement for program accreditation. Program review exercise needs necessary data from stakeholders to evaluate and reflect the quality of the program through self- assessment. Program self-assessment is a systematic collection, review and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning. It involves through examination of all aspects and components of the program in respect of stakeholders’ opinions. It is a process of identifying the strengths and weakness