External Quality Assurance System Research Articles

WEB BASED INTERNAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM A DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING

Improving the quality of education in higher education institutions is crucial to support the development of human resources and the progress of the nation. Utpadaka Swastika University, as one of the higher education institutions in Indonesia, is committed to producing high-quality and competitive graduates. To ensure this quality, an effective and efficient internal quality assurance system (SPMI) is necessary. This research aims to design and build an internal quality assurance system based on the web using PHP and MySQL at Utpadaka Swastika University with the prototyping method. Software testing is conducted through Black Box Testing. This internal quality assurance system aims to ensure the quality of higher education provided by universities through the implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education, in order to realize the vision and meet the needs of stakeholders. The achievement of quality assurance goals through the internal quality assurance system will be accredited through external quality assurance systems. This system can assist in presenting document information accessible to program heads, leaders, auditors, administrators, and quality assurance body (LPM) leaders. It facilitates program heads in the process of collecting and submitting documents for evaluation and audit instruments, allowing the LPM to directly identify issues and quality standards in the internal quality assurance process. This system is expected to be used as a reference for further development of an Internal Quality Assurance System so that the system can have better features.

Does the Third Sputum Exam has an Added Value in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis?

Abstract Introduction/Objective Introduction: Current practice of examining three sputum for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) has tended to overburden the already scarce human resources in all-purpose laboratories, and to increase the turn- around- time for patients seeking treatment. Therefore, assessing the added value of the third sputum in the diagnosis of PTB in resource-limited country with less functional External Quality Assurance (EQA) system is critical. Methods/Case Report Materials and methods: Data on patients diagnosed with smear-positive PTB during 2012- 2016 was collected retrospectively from laboratory register of nine hospitals in Eritrea. The data was extracted and analyzed for incremental yield of three sputum samples. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Results: Data from 2,484 microscopically confirmed acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear positive PTB patients were reviewed. AFB was detected in the first sputum in 87.5% of patients, and 99.1% for the combined first and second sputum specimens. The incremental yield of the third sputum specimen as a diagnostic value was only 0.9%. No significant variation was detected by region, residence, gender or HIV. Background information Number of cases Percent Region Maekel 649 26.10% Anseba 293 11.80% Gash-Barka 815 32.80% Debub 297 12.00% Northern Red Sea 337 13.60% Southern Red Sea 93 3.70% Sex Male 1,251 50.40% Female 1,233 49.60% Residence Urban 1,296 52.20% Rural 1,188 47.80% Age group <15 35 1.40% 15 + 2,449 98.60% Total 2,484 100 Conclusion Conclusion: The added value of the third sputum is so minimal that its omission will reduce patient visits, workload and cost for patients and health services. Therefore, even countries like Eritrea, with limited EQA, should consider limiting the number of sputum examinations to improve quality.

IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN PERATURAN MENTERI AGAMA NOMOR 32 TAHUN 2020 TENTANG MA’HAD ALY: ANTARA HARAPAN DAN DILEMA

The enactment of Law Number 18 of 2019 concerning Islamic Boarding Schools, followed by Regulation of the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia Number 32 of 2020 concerning Ma'had Aly, should be a hope for organizers and managers of education in the Islamic boarding school environment. These hopes include funding support and certainty of Ma'had Aly graduates. In addition, there is a legal guarantee for fulfilling the right to obtain employment opportunities and continue studies to the next level of education. Providing guarantees of recognition, affirmation, and facilitation for Islamic boarding schools based on their traditions and characteristics is a sociological and philosophical consideration when forming Islamic boarding school laws. To date, this guarantee has not been fully realized. The hope of Islamic boarding schools is still accompanied by the dilemma of ensuring recognition from the government. The author is interested in uncovering what the managers of Ma'had Aly are worried about, especially after the implementation of PMA Number 32 of 2020 concerning Ma'had Aly. The researcher's focus is to describe the implementation of these regulatory policies. Because it concerns statutory norms, the method used in this research is normative juridical research, namely, literature study research, to examine PMA 32 of 2020. The aim is to describe the implementation of PMA 32 of 2020 for Islamic boarding schools that organize Ma'had Aly, the problems experienced by the management, and how the Ministry of Religion responds to the Islamic boarding school's hesitation in implementing recognition, affirmation and facilitation policies. As a result, there are still problems for the organizers of Ma'had Aly. The external quality assurance system through the community assembly has not shown its productivity. The government, in this case, the Ministry of Religion, needs to be encouraged to have the courage to take strategic policy steps as a concrete form of recognition, affirmation and facilitation of Ma'had Aly implementation policies. Apart from that, the government is also encouraged to form a directorate general of Islamic boarding schools to solve bureaucratic problems in Islamic boarding school services.

ORGANIZATION OF INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS AS A CONSTRUCT OF THE NATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM: PRACTICE OF KAZAKHSTANI UNIVERSITIES

The restructuring of the quality assurance system of higher education in Kazakhstan is considered a condition for the formation of competitive human potential. The research interest of the authors of this article is aimed at the practice of organizing the internal quality assurance system as the first component of the three-dimensional model of the National Quality Assurance System, which also includes the external quality assurance system and mechanisms of management and regulation of the quality assurance system. The activity of Kazakhstani HEIs with orientation on the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education in the European Higher Education Area (ESG EHEA) is carried out through the activity of designing a system of measures, including planning, organization and implementation of the actual internal system of quality assurance, adequate to the features of the educational environment of the HEI. As a result of design activity, "author's" normative, organizational, personnel conditions of internal quality assurance systems are created. The purpose of our research was to analyze the practices of organization of internal quality assurance system by HEIs of Kazakhstan as a construct of the National Quality Assurance System. The study allowed us to identify the common and special in the organization of internal quality assurance systems in the context of the implementation of quality assurance methodology in higher education organizations, in the context of academic freedom.

Sistem Penjaminan Mutu Eksternal (SPME)

The purpose of writing this work is to analyze the form of an external quality assurance system (SPME). The library research method for studying the External Quality Assurance System (SPME) in Indonesian higher education involves collecting, analyzing and interpreting secondary data from various trusted sources such as books, scientific journals, articles, reports and official documents. The steps include identifying and selecting relevant literature, reviewing the literature to understand SPME concepts and practices, and organizing and synthesizing data to provide a comprehensive picture of SPME. It is hoped that the results of this research can be used as a basis for developing strategies to improve the quality of higher education in Indonesia. The result of this work is that the implementation of the External Quality Assurance System (SPME) in Indonesian higher education institutions faces various obstacles such as limited human resources, facilities and infrastructure, as well as financial constraints, which hinder the effectiveness of quality assurance. To overcome these obstacles, increased resource support, technological infrastructure and ongoing professional training are needed. Collaboration between universities, accreditation institutions, government and industry is very important to improve the quality of higher education. With the right strategy, the quality of higher education in Indonesia can be improved, producing graduates who are competent and ready to compete on the global stage.

Analysis of immunogenetics interlaboratory comparisons' success rates. External quality assurance system of the Spanish Society for Immunology GECLID-SEI.

For many years, transplantation outcomes were uncertain and not hopeful, until histocompatibility testing spread. Common criteria for histocompatibility assays and communications' improvement allowed an efficient organ sharing system. The possibility of organ exchanges is closely linked to the importance of interlaboratory comparisons for histocompatibility and immunogenetics methods. The external proficiency testing (EPT) systems are the most powerful quality assurance tools. They help achieve harmonization of analyses, set a standard of performance, and a common interpretation. The external quality assurance program for diagnostic immunology laboratories (Garantía Externa de Calidad para Laboratorios de Inmunología Diagnóstica, GECLID) program nowadays runs 13 external quality assurance (EQA) histocompatibility and immunogenetics schemes, with the first of them from 2011 to date: serological and molecular: low- and high-resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA), human platelet antigen (HPA), and killer inhibitory receptor (KIR) typing(HLA-B*27, HLA-B*57:01, and coeliac disease-related HLA), cell-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and flow cytometry (FC) crossmatches, anti-HLA and anti-HPA antibodies, and chimerism. A total of 85 laboratories participated in this subprogram in the last 12years reporting over 1.69M results: 1.46M for anti-HLA and anti-HPA antibodies, 203.810 molecular typing data (HLA, HPA, and KIR genes), 2.372 for chimerism analyses, and 39.352 for crossmatches. Based on the European Federation for Immunogenetics (EFI) standards for EPT providers, the mean success rates ranged from 99.2% for molecular typing schemes and antibodies and 94.8% for chimerism, was 96.7% regarding crossmatches, and was 98.9% in serological typing. In 2022, 61.3% of the participating laboratories successfully passed every HLA EQA scheme, although 87.9% annual reports were satisfactory. Most penalties were due to nomenclature errors or misreporting of the risk associated to HLA and disease. This EQA confirms the reliability of HLA and immunogenetics assays in routine care. There is little heterogeneity of results of different assays used by participating laboratories, even when in-house assays are used. Reliability of test results is reasonably granted.

An evaluation of the impact of academic accreditation on the quality of higher education: lessons learnt from the academics’ perceptions

ABSTRACT Research demonstrates that attempts to improve the quality of education in higher education institutions (HEIs) through external quality assurance (EQA) systems have not always produced the expected results due to the complex nature of education and scepticism regarding the applicability of EQA systems to education. It frequently resulted in escalating tensions and distrust between academics and policymakers. The 2004 implementation of accreditation by the National Commission for Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) intended to improve the education of HEIs and ensure the application of high standards. This mixed-methods research study aims to evaluate the impact of academic accreditation in KSA after nearly two decades of implementation. We collected quantitative data from participants at ten accredited universities using two self-designed Likert-scale surveys based on the NCAAA accreditation standards and ten semi-structured interviews for the qualitative data. The results indicate significant improvements but highlight some imperfections and contradictions that make it essential to ascertain our findings cautiously. This study demonstrates the value of qualitative data to better evaluate the effectiveness of EQA instead of a single quantitative approach.

External Quality Assurance Helps Improve Infrastructure for Testing Breast Biomarkers Across a Lower- and Middle-Income Country: Our Experience With Breast Biomarker Testing in the National Cancer Grid External Quality Assurance System in India.

Biomarkers in breast cancer need strict monitoring given their role in patient management. To study the impact that regular participation in the National Cancer Grid (NCG) external quality assurance (EQA) system has on concordance rates for biomarkers in breast carcinoma. Tissue microarray (TMA) containing breast carcinomas was circulated to participating laboratories that performed immunohistochemistry for breast biomarkers. The returned TMAs were then assessed for test concordance. A total of 105 laboratories participated in the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) EQA system cycles, and 99 centers participated in the human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) EQA system. In the ER EQA in the first cycle only 1 laboratory had a 100% concordance, which improved to 59 of 77 (76.6%) and 85 of 97 (85.9%) in the fourth and fifth cycles, respectively. In the PR EQA the 100% pass rate jumped from zero to 52 of 76 (68.4%) in the fourth cycle and 86 of 97 (88.6%) in the last cycle. For HER2 EQA, the 100% pass rates were seen in 7 of 23 laboratories (30.4%) in the first cycle, 49 of 78 laboratories (62.8%) in the fourth cycle, and 48 of 94 laboratories (51.1%) in fifth cycle of EQA. Centers who participated in the NCG EQA system for a longer period often changed testing methodology, with consequent improvement in their laboratory concordance rates. An increasing trend for the use of automated platforms and of the US Food and Drug Administration-approved antibody for HER2 testing was observed. Our experience demonstrates that laboratory performances improve with participation in an EQA system even in less perfect settings, and this drives the placement of more proficient practices across the country.

Implementation of Quality Assurance Management Basic Education (PAUD) in Indonesia

Early childhood education has a strategic role in human development. Therefore, quality education is needed. This study aims to determine the implementation of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) / (PAUD) quality assurance management in Indonesia. A qualitative approach is carried out using the literature review method. The results show that implementing primary education quality control (ECCE) in Indonesia is crucial in ensuring a bright future for Indonesian children. In addition to the External Quality Assurance System, such as accreditation is also known as the Internal Quality Assurance System. Until now, SPMI has only been carried out at the Primary and Secondary Education and Higher Education levels. Until now, quality assurance has only been managed externally at the ECCE level, namely through BAN PAUD. As for the PAUD unit itself, there is no formal legal oversight of the implementation of SPMI. So we can see how the quality of ECCE in Indonesia until now is still very far from expectations.

Audit in surgical histopathology at Wadia hospitals - Study of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phase

Objectives: This audit of surgical histopathology aims to verify conformance to required processes, assess their implementation, and define the targets of quality control with appropriate changes in the existing system by evaluating pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of histopathology. Material and Methods: This study was an observational retrospective study done over a year, from March 15, 2022 to February 28, 2023. Small biopsies, large organ resections, and second opinion samples like paraffin blocks or slides received in the surgical histopathology department were categorized as I, II and III respectively. Samples were also segregated as per the department it was received from, namely, gastroenterology, neurology, pulmonology, nephrology, orthopedics, gynepathology, and others. Manual audit was done as a pre-analytical phase including adequacy of clinical information and grossing adequacy, analytical phase to study the turn around time (TAT) and tissue section quality, and the post-analytical phase in the form of report verification, approval and dispatch, and amendment if any, were studied. Results: During this audit period, 1752 surgical histopathology samples were received of which 80% were small biopsies (category I), 19.6% were large organ resection samples (category II) and 0.4% samples were received for second opinion (category III). General pediatrics (n = 798) and Gynepathology (n = 569) were the main departments from which the samples were received. Incomplete request forms, errors in sample fixation, wrong payment/barcode were some of the pre-analytical errors. Training of staff on one to one basis was done. In the analytical phase errors such as nicks, folds or air bubbles in the mounted sample were seen. Histotechnical staff were retrained to reduce errors. In the post analytical phase, the turnaround time was achieved as per the hospital quality process indicator, feedback from cases on second opinion was received only in 25% of samples. Conclusions: In this surgical histopathology audit of 1752 samples, quality indicators were achieved as per external quality assurance system (EQAS). Remedial actions were carried out to prevent errors.

Management of quality assurance and development of the quality culture of higher education in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze quality assurance management in the development of quality culture in higher education institutions in Indonesia. This study method is a literature review. The results of the study show that in the quality assurance policies of higher education institutions in Indonesia, there are two quality assurance systems for higher education institutions, namely, the external and internal quality assurance systems. The effectiveness of external and internal quality assurance depends on internal quality assurance management aimed at building a higher education quality culture. Higher education institutions that are managed effectively and efficiently have a high-quality culture. The quality culture of higher education in Indonesia is unique and different from other organizational cultures. This uniqueness can be seen in the quality of academic services, the productivity of scientific work and community service.

Total error in lymphocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry-based in state of the art using Spanish EQAS data.

Flow cytometry analyses of lymphocyte subpopulations (T, B, NK) are crucial for enhancing clinical algorithms and research workflows. Estimating the total error (TE) values for the percentage and absolute number of lymphocyte subpopulations using the state-of-the-art (SOTA) approach with real data from an external proficiency testing (EPT) scheme was performed. A comparison with previously published Biological Variability (BV)-based specifications was carried out. A total of 44,998 results from 86 laboratories over 10 years were analysed and divided into two five-year periods (2012-2016) and (2017-2021). Data come from the IC-1 Lymphocytes scheme of the Spanish External Quality Assurance System (EQAS) GECLID Program. This quantitative scheme includes percentages and absolute numbers of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD19+, and CD3-CD56+CD16+ NK cells. The percentage of TE was calculated as: |reported value-robust mean|*100/robust mean for each laboratory and parameter. The cut-off for TE is set at 80 % best results of the laboratories. A significant reduction in the SOTA-based TE for all lymphocyte subpopulations in 2017-2021 was observed compared to 2012-2016. The SOTA-based TE fulfils the minimum BV-based TE for percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations. The parameter with the best analytical performance calculated with SOTA (2017-2021 period)-based TE was the percentage of CD3+ (TE=3.65 %). The values of SOTA-based specifications from external quality assurance program data are consistent and can be used to develop technical specifications. The technological improvement, quality commitment, standardization, and training, reduce TE. An update of TE every five years is therefore recommended. TE assessment in lymphocyte subsets is a helpful and reliable tool to improve laboratory performance and data-based decision-making trust.

Policies and Strategies for Improving the Research and Scientific Publications Quality at State Islamic Religious Colleges in Kalimantan

The quality of research and scientific publications is an essential concern in managing higher education institutions. Therefore, this research aims to examine the policies and strategies for enhancing the quality of research and scientific publications in State Islamic Religious Colleges. This is a qualitative study that gathers data from library and field research. The findings show that each university already has regulations based on provisions from the Ministry of Higher Education, including the Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI) and External Quality Assurance System (SPME), for managing research quality. Additionally, UIN Antasari Banjarmasin, UIN Samarinda, and IAIN Palangkaraya are improving the quality of research and scientific publications of their lecturers with policies such as allocating 30% of BOPTN funds and implementing the LITAPDIMAS system. However, the outputs and benefits of these policies have not been fully realized due to budget absorption issues that limit the development of a research and publication culture. Therefore, developing such a culture presents a significant challenge that requires a long-term commitment and the participation of all stakeholders. The culture-building process should start from upstream to downstream aspects.

Implementation of Quality Assurance and Accreditation Policy in Open Distance Learning Teacher Education Programs in Pakistan

The study aimed to explore the existing practices in the implementation of accreditation and quality assurance measures of teacher education programs running through open distance learning in Pakistan and to probe dichotomy or policy disconnects in proposed implementation of an external accreditation and quality assurance system for teacher education program through distance education institutions.

SIMANTUL: Model of Internal Quality Audit Management System in Higher Education

Many organizations carry out the quality assurance system through the Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI) and the External Quality Assurance System (SPME). The SPMI framework uses the stages of a continuous quality assurance cycle with the PPEPP method (Application, Implementation, Evaluation, Control, and Improvement), which is carried out periodically to achieve University's Vision, Mission, Goals, and Targets. This paper discusses the implementation stages of the internal quality audit management system at Universitas Respati Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Using an information system, the university audit body, BPM, regularly and consistently carries out an Internal Quality Audit (AMI) every year to audit the implementation of academic and non-academic activities at the University. In this research, we construct an audit system, namely the E-Audit application, with the Waterfall software development method. This study can produce an efficient system called SIMANTUL, which refers to the Higher Education Accreditation assessment instrument version 3.0 and can store documents digitally.

Evaluating the Accreditation Results of Christian Colleges in Indonesia Using the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) Model

Accreditation is an external quality assurance system authorized institutions use to provide formal recognition. Christian colleges in Indonesia, which have been around for decades, should be able to have excellent accreditation. There are still very few Christian colleges that are accredited with excellence while very many Christian colleges are well-accredited. The purpose of this study is to identify the conformity of the Good Accredited Christian College (GACC) target with the results of the accreditation assessment, analyze the recommendations given by the evaluators in the results of the accreditation assessment, and produce GACC strategies in improving the quality of education to have competitiveness. Mixed-method with qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in this study. The evaluation with model Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) is used as design research. The evaluation results show that GACC can improve accreditation quality and status by considering the accreditation assessment matrix requirements as a different strategy. GACC must strive to meet the standard of excellence in each component of the accreditation instrument to be able to compete nationally and internationally.

URGENSI SISTEM PENJAMINAN MUTU INTERNAL & EKSTERNAL DALAM MENINGKATKAN MUTU PERGURUAN TINGGI

Higher education quality assurance is aimed at quality education. Universities must systematically carry out the quality assurance process through the Higher Education Quality Assurance System and refer to the National Higher Education Standards. There are two quality assurance systems in higher education, namely; internal quality assurance and external quality assurance. The internal quality assurance system is a systemic activity of quality assurance of higher education by each university autonomously to control and improve the implementation of higher education in a planned and sustainable manner. Meanwhile, the external quality assurance system is an assessment activity carried out by outside units to determine the feasibility of universities. This study aims to fully describe two main things in the quality assurance system in higher education institutions, namely; internal quality assurance and external quality assurance. In obtaining this research data, a qualitative approach to the type of library research is used, by collecting data from books, journals and articles. Data analysis is carried out using content analysis. The results of the study found that: First, internal quality assurance includes: policies and procedures for quality assurance; approval, monitoring and periodic review of programs and awards; student assessment, quality assurance of teaching staff/lecturers; learning resources and student support; information systems; public information. Second, external quality assurance, namely: the use of procedures; process development; criteria for decisions; process in accordance with the purpose; reporting; follow-up procedures; periodic review of the implementation; and system-wide analysis

Principal's Leadership Style Correlation With Improved External Quality Assurance System

Principal leadership in educational institutions has a fairly heavy responsibility, as leaders are required to have the ability in the field of management, and motivate to improve quality results. But not a few of the principals who experience obstacles in managing it and affect the quality of the school. This article attempts to identify the principal's leadership style towards the school's external quality assurance system. The method used is a systematic literature review, namely by documenting and reviewing all articles related to the principal's leadership style and external quality assurance system. Researchers searched for data using journal articles, found as many as 27 articles between 2015-2021 in Google Scholar, Research Gate, SINTA, JAMP, and Academia. The results show that the success of an educational institution is determined by the role of its leader, democratic, innovative, effective, dynamic, and transformational leadership styles can improve the school's external quality assurance system.

The battle for legitimacy of ‘student involvement’ in external quality assurance of higher education from Asian QA perspectives – does policy contextualization matter?

ABSTRACT Student involvement, through formal representation in external quality assurance (EQA) has attracted the attention of governments, higher education institutions (HEIs) and quality assurance agencies worldwide. This study aims to explore current developments and the legitimacy of student involvement in EQA agencies in the Asian context. There are several major findings. First, more than a half of responding accreditors in Asia have already engaged students in the EQA systems. Second, student roles in external review processes have not been fully recognized. Third, students as HE stakeholders are considered increasingly relevant as they contribute their valuable learning experiences to HEIs.

The Effect of School Principals' Leadership Styles on the External Quality Assurance System's Improvement

Principal leadership in an institution is accompanied by heavy duties and responsibilities. As a leader, the principal must be adept in all fields such as management, policymaking, socializing, and motivating students. The leadership style of a principal is key to the success of an institution. Thus, a systematic literature review was conducted by formulating problems; searching for literature; extracting, filtering, and analyzing the data; assessing the quality; and reporting the findings. Data were obtained from Google Scholar, Research Gate, SINTA, JAMP, and Academia. Finally, 27 articles on relevant topics published between 2015 and 2021 were selected. The results of these studies showed that the leader largely determines the failure and success of an institution in playing his role, so a democratic, innovative, effective, dynamic, and transformational leadership style can improve the external quality assurance system.
 Keywords: principal’s leadership style, external quality assurance system