Quality in Focus: Building Capacity for Higher Education in Zambia – Implementation of Quality Assurance Systems in Higher Education

About the training:

NMT Workshop Zambia forms part of the DIES NMT Cohort 2025–2026 and was delivered by the NMT-QA Zambia Project Training Committee. Convened under the theme “Quality in Focus: Building Capacity for Higher Education in Zambia – Implementation of Quality Assurance Systems in Higher Education”, the training comprised the conceptual foundations of internal quality assurance and their practical implementation, with a particular focus on self-assessment, institutional audits, tracer studies and the sustainability of quality assurance processes. The event was planned and facilitated by a team of local and international trainers and speakers. It brought together 22 delegates, comprising the 4 trainers and speakers, one administrative officer, and participants representing 14 public and private higher education institutions.

Expected learning outcomes:

By the end of the training, participants should be able to:

• Explain the roles and expectations of quality assurance in higher education institutions,
• Apply self-assessment tools and audits as mechanisms for quality assurance in higher education institutions,
• Describe how quality assurance feedback loops are closed to drive institutional improvement,
• Apply appropriate methods for collecting and analysing tracer study data,
• Communicate tracer study findings effectively to institutional stakeholders,
• Explain approaches to ensuring the sustainability of quality assurance processes,
• Identify best practices for quality assurance in higher education institutions,
• Present institutional projects demonstrating the application of quality assurance principles.

Target group:

The project targeted middle and senior management staff in higher education institutions, such as deans, heads of department, and quality assurance managers, who had not previously participated in a DIES training course. The participants came from the following and private higher education institutions, and higher education organs: Zambia University College of Technology, Eden University, David Livingstone College of Education, Evelyn Hone College, Mulungushi University, Mukuba University, Cavendish University Zambia, Copperbelt University, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kapasa Makasa University, National Institute of Public Administration, University of Zambia, Harvest University, Chreso University, UNICAF University, Rusangu University, ZCAS University, Zambian College of Open Learning, The Zambia Catholic University, and Higher Education Authority.

Training dates:

• Workshop 1: 13th to 15th October 2025
• Workshop 2: 27th to 29th July 2026