Efficiency of HEC's Quality Assurance Agency's (QAA) Framework: Perceptions of Quality Enhancement Cells' (QECs) Executives of Pakistani Universities

Abstract

This qualitative study examined Pakistani Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) executives' views on the HEC's Quality Assurance and Agency (QAA) framework's effectiveness in higher education. Thematic analysis was used to discover and analyse QEC executives' various viewpoints on the HEC's QAA framework's efficacy using in-depth interviews with 20 purposive sampled participants. Analysis revealed two themes: "Ideal Role Model" and "Loopholes in the Model." Within the "Ideal Role Model" subject, several interviewees saw the HEC's QAA framework as a thorough and adequate model for ensuring and improving higher education quality. In contrast, the "Loop Holes in the Model" topic highlighted most respondents' concerns. This research enhances the knowledge of Pakistan's higher education quality assurance dynamics. This research shows the challenges of ensuring and improving higher education quality from many viewpoints. Addressing these viewpoints and creating a dynamic, adaptive, and culturally relevant quality assurance system are essential for Pakistan's higher education growth.