IARC members are committed to quality assurance, and ensuring that stakeholders benefit. How can an institution achieve a recognised international standard?
There is only one accreditation standard that is recognised by 148 countries by inter-government agreement. This is the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard. Given Warnborough's worldwide outreach, the ISO standard is a suitable benchmark to meet our accreditation needs and those of our Distance Learning and Learning Centre students.
In September 2004, then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan highlighted the strong relationship between the UN and ISO. He stressed the essential role ISO standards played in global education ‘to achieve consensus of standards that will make a difference to our world”.
ISO has become the world’s most successful recognition standard, based on the principles of stakeholder satisfaction and continual improvement through quality management systems. It requires an organisation to meet agreed quality standards that are internationally benchmarked, and to ensure that maintained standards are comparable and equitable internationally. ISO requires an ongoing process of organisational and management assessment, and of internal and external auditing.
Applying ISO to Education
In an institutional context, it is a demanding and rigorous process. As per the Warnborough mission to provide quality higher education to a complex student base, standards must be maintained at all levels. This includes academics, resources, management, budgeting, multi-campus operations, and development.
After two years of developing and implementing a quality standard system to embrace all these levels, Warnborough College acquired ISO9001:2000 in September 2004 for the entire organisation and for the whole of its core business: “Design, Delivery and Assessment of Accredited Education and Training Services Worldwide”.
Also, as a leader in online and distance learning, Warnborough is committed to ensuring that it has in place an effective and efficient Information Security Management System to cover the scope of its operations. In September 2006, Warnborough College (UK) became the first college in the UK to obtain ISO27001:2005 certification.
Warnborough proudly displays the UK government ‘tick & crown’ Charter Mark. The body governing this authority is the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). This is the sole government accreditation body in the UK. This provides visual assurance that Warnborough has a documented system base for the pursuit of total quality at all levels in its organisation.
Embracing the ISO Quality Ethos
More and more colleges and universities around the globe are now seeking the ISO benchmark for quality assurance. This is essential when an institution has stakeholders worldwide. Students need to know that their qualifications are recognised by governments, industry, the professions and employees wherever they seek employment.
IARC members are encouraged to apply for ISO certifications. ISO will increase their credibility as well as enhance their management and organisational skills. It will lift the profile of the institution as well as that of the IARC.
To learn more: www.iso.ch www.ukas.com
Dr. Brenen D. Tempest-Mogg