FJWU strengthens academic standards

Rawalpindi:Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) is taking significant strides to enhance the quality of its academic programs through a structured program review process. In a recent initiative led by the university’s Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), faculty members and program teams participated in an intensive session on Program Review for Effectiveness and Enhancement (PREE) to refine assessment practices and ensure continuous improvement in higher education standards.

Dr. Muhammad Iftikhar Ali, Director QEC at Iqra University, Islamabad, led the session, offering in-depth insights into the PREE framework and its role in academic evaluation. He emphasized the origins of PREE, developed through extensive consultations by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and highlighted the flexibility it offers institutions in tailoring assessment methods. Addressing the participants, he explained that while not all Expected Outcomes and Indicators (EOIs) apply uniformly across institutions, the framework allows for adaptability in reviewing academic programs.

Prof. Dr. Bushra Yasmin, Director QEC, FJWU, welcomed the attendees and underscored the importance of a well-structured review mechanism in sustaining academic excellence. She outlined the selection criteria for departments participating in the pilot phase and provided a detailed overview of the PREE process. The discussion covered key elements such as defining program vision and objectives, refining curriculum design, evaluating subject-s­pecific facilities, and strengthening student advising, faculty development, and institutional policies.

To provide practical exposure, Dr. Ali guided participants in drafting Self-Assessment Reports (SARs), demonstrating how to align evaluation reports with accreditation requirements and institutional goals. The interactive nature of the session allowed faculty members to engage in hands-on exercises, enhancing their understanding of effective documentation and assessment strategies.