APQN Members
Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
Membership Type: Full
Email: skalanova@iqaa.kz
Year in which Organisation/Agency commenced operations: 2008
Countries/regions/states of operation: Kazakhstan
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Title: Dr
First Name: Sholpan
Surname: Kalanova
Job Title: President
Phone: +77172277750
Fax: +77172273820
Email Id: skalanova@iqaa.kz
Alternative Email Id: info@iqaa.kz
Nominated Contact Person (if different from CEO)
Title: Dr
First Name: Sholpan
Surname: Kalanova
Job Title: President
Phone: +77172277750
Fax: +77172273820
Email Id: skalanova@iqaa.kz
Alternative Email Id: info@iqaa.kz
Organisation Details
Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
Address: 20 Dostyk Str., Office 801, Astana, Z05H9M7
Kazakhstan
Website: http://iqaa.kz
Additional Contacts
Criteria Requirements for Full Member
1 Criterion: Nature of the operations of the agency:
Measure: The agency is responsible for reviews at institutional or programme level of post-secondary
education institutions or post-secondary quality assurance agencies
Measure: The agency is responsible for reviews at institutional or programme level of post-secondary
education institutions or post-secondary quality assurance agencies
Description: Activities of IQAA:
1. Institutional accreditation of HEIs, including medical HEIs under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
2. Specialized accreditation of HEIs, including medical HEIs under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
3. Institutional accreditation of Scientific Research institutions’ units, including Scientific Research institutions under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare
and Social Development of the RK.
4. Specialized accreditation of study programmes of Scientific Research institutions, delivering postgraduate programmes (Master’s degree, Residency), including Scientific Research institutions under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
5. Institutional accreditation of TVET organizations, including medical colleges under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
6. Specialized accreditation of study programmes of TVET organizations including medical colleges under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
7. Institutional accreditation of professional development organizations and centers for additional education.
8. Specialized accreditation of study programmes of professional development organizations and centers for additional education.
Please see the extracts from the IQAA's Statute at http://iqaa.kz/en/about-us/statute-excerpts
1. Institutional accreditation of HEIs, including medical HEIs under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
2. Specialized accreditation of HEIs, including medical HEIs under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
3. Institutional accreditation of Scientific Research institutions’ units, including Scientific Research institutions under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare
and Social Development of the RK.
4. Specialized accreditation of study programmes of Scientific Research institutions, delivering postgraduate programmes (Master’s degree, Residency), including Scientific Research institutions under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
5. Institutional accreditation of TVET organizations, including medical colleges under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
6. Specialized accreditation of study programmes of TVET organizations including medical colleges under the competence of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK.
7. Institutional accreditation of professional development organizations and centers for additional education.
8. Specialized accreditation of study programmes of professional development organizations and centers for additional education.
Please see the extracts from the IQAA's Statute at http://iqaa.kz/en/about-us/statute-excerpts
2 Criterion: Mission statement and objectives:
Measure: The agency has formulated a mission statement and objectives which are consistent with the nature of the agency
Measure: The agency has formulated a mission statement and objectives which are consistent with the nature of the agency
Description: The Strategy of Development of IQAA is a document that defines main directions of activity, which IQAA plans to realize over the next four years (2015-2018). The Strategy of Development can be periodically revised as external conditions change.
The content of the Strategy of Development is based on the policy, which the Agency conducts in accordance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG), providing quality service on accreditation of organizations of higher, postgraduate, technical and vocational education, with the full and active participation of every employee of IQAA.
On the dynamic changes in the society and legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a quick adaptation of the Agency to these changes in the development of its procedures takes place.
The Strategy of Development corresponds to the status of IQAA, which is listed in the National register of accreditation bodies of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (order of the MES of RK No.304 dated 24.06.2012), and has the right for conduct of institutional and programme accreditation of educational organizations (certificate No. БҒМ-001).
The Strategy of Development has been approved by the IQAA Accreditation Council as the main document for defining medium term objectives, which form the basis for provision of established by the Statute activity directions of employees, external experts and other stakeholders for the Agency’s effective realization of the mission.
Please see the Strategy at http://iqaa.kz/images/doc/Strategy_of_Development_of_IQAA_for_2015-2018.pdf
The content of the Strategy of Development is based on the policy, which the Agency conducts in accordance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG), providing quality service on accreditation of organizations of higher, postgraduate, technical and vocational education, with the full and active participation of every employee of IQAA.
On the dynamic changes in the society and legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a quick adaptation of the Agency to these changes in the development of its procedures takes place.
The Strategy of Development corresponds to the status of IQAA, which is listed in the National register of accreditation bodies of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (order of the MES of RK No.304 dated 24.06.2012), and has the right for conduct of institutional and programme accreditation of educational organizations (certificate No. БҒМ-001).
The Strategy of Development has been approved by the IQAA Accreditation Council as the main document for defining medium term objectives, which form the basis for provision of established by the Statute activity directions of employees, external experts and other stakeholders for the Agency’s effective realization of the mission.
Please see the Strategy at http://iqaa.kz/images/doc/Strategy_of_Development_of_IQAA_for_2015-2018.pdf
3 Criterion: Agency staff, Numbers, Profile, Roles:
Measure: The profile of the staff is consistent with the Mission Statement
Measure: The profile of the staff is consistent with the Mission Statement
Description: IQAA has 18 staff members. At the stage of selection, IQAA is guided by the following main requirements: work experience in the higher education system (academic and/or administrative and managerial), a scientific or academic degree, research activity in the
field of education, adherence to professional ethics, and knowledge of English.
The composition of the academic staff is available at http://iqaa.kz/en/about-us/academic-staff.
Please see the annual reports at http://iqaa.kz/en/documents-of-iqaa/strategy
field of education, adherence to professional ethics, and knowledge of English.
The composition of the academic staff is available at http://iqaa.kz/en/about-us/academic-staff.
Please see the annual reports at http://iqaa.kz/en/documents-of-iqaa/strategy
4 Criterion: Profile of reviewers:
Measure: The profile of the reviewers is consistent with the Mission Statement
Measure: The profile of the reviewers is consistent with the Mission Statement
Description: Currently the IQAA database of experts has 940 individuals, including 560 national certified experts, 148 international experts, 112 employers and 120 students. The database allows the Agency to search for experts by different criteria (field of professional knowledge, position, etc.) and select experts according to the set task.
To participate in external review within institutional accreditation academia representatives, apart from 10 years experience in HEIs, research degree and title, should have administrative experience on a management position, such as rector, vice-rector, dean or head of a structural unit in HEI.
To become an expert of external review within specialized accreditation of study programmes, candidates should satisfy definite criteria of their qualification: not less than 5 years of working in HEIs, research degree and title, activities in HEI on the position of a head of department, leading associate professor or professor, who are involved in design of study programmes and
methodological support.
Please see the Guidelines for an external review at http://iqaa.kz/images/otchety/Guidelines_on_the_External_Review_Procedure.pdf
To participate in external review within institutional accreditation academia representatives, apart from 10 years experience in HEIs, research degree and title, should have administrative experience on a management position, such as rector, vice-rector, dean or head of a structural unit in HEI.
To become an expert of external review within specialized accreditation of study programmes, candidates should satisfy definite criteria of their qualification: not less than 5 years of working in HEIs, research degree and title, activities in HEI on the position of a head of department, leading associate professor or professor, who are involved in design of study programmes and
methodological support.
Please see the Guidelines for an external review at http://iqaa.kz/images/otchety/Guidelines_on_the_External_Review_Procedure.pdf
5 Criterion: Independence:
Measure: The judgements and recommendations of the agency’s reports cannot be changed by third parties
Measure: The judgements and recommendations of the agency’s reports cannot be changed by third parties
Description: IQAA takes autonomous responsibility for its official decisions, which are taken without influence from third parties, educational organizations or governmental bodies. Independence is a guarantee of transparent and fair process of decision-making. It is not always easy to demonstrate independence of IQAA to all stakeholders.
The MES RK sometimes considers that IQAA is not rigorous enough in relation to HEIs, because state control of HEIs by the MES RK considers only quantitative indicators of activities
of educational institutions. At the same time, HEIs blame the Agency in excessive strictness in following the accreditation procedures, particularly their time frames.
The Accreditation Council of IQAA is an independent body, which makes a decision on accreditation of educational organizations and/or their study programmes. HEIs, the MES RK or other third parties cannot influence the decisions of the Accreditation Council. Upon entry into their powers, all members of the Accreditation Council sign the Code of Honor, which declares their commitment to independence, impartiality, ethics, professionalism and confidentiality. The decision-making of the Accreditation Council is based on the Provisions on decision-making, available on the website. IQAA has the Appeals Committee and the Complaints Commission, which cannot include employees or experts of the Agency and members of the Accreditation Council.
Please see the extracts from the IQAA's Statute at http://iqaa.kz/en/about-us/statute-excerpts
The MES RK sometimes considers that IQAA is not rigorous enough in relation to HEIs, because state control of HEIs by the MES RK considers only quantitative indicators of activities
of educational institutions. At the same time, HEIs blame the Agency in excessive strictness in following the accreditation procedures, particularly their time frames.
The Accreditation Council of IQAA is an independent body, which makes a decision on accreditation of educational organizations and/or their study programmes. HEIs, the MES RK or other third parties cannot influence the decisions of the Accreditation Council. Upon entry into their powers, all members of the Accreditation Council sign the Code of Honor, which declares their commitment to independence, impartiality, ethics, professionalism and confidentiality. The decision-making of the Accreditation Council is based on the Provisions on decision-making, available on the website. IQAA has the Appeals Committee and the Complaints Commission, which cannot include employees or experts of the Agency and members of the Accreditation Council.
Please see the extracts from the IQAA's Statute at http://iqaa.kz/en/about-us/statute-excerpts
6 Criterion: Resources:
Measure: The agency has sufficient resources to run its operations in accordance with its mission statement and objectives
Measure: The agency has sufficient resources to run its operations in accordance with its mission statement and objectives
Description: IQAA is funded by accreditation procedure fees, paid by HEIs, TVET organizations, scientific research institutions applying for accreditation. The external review of educational organizations and their study programmes is implemented based on a bilateral agreement between an educational organization under review and IQAA. The cost of the agreement covers expenses related to stages 1, 2 and 3 of the accreditation procedure: a preliminary site visit to the educational organization, delivering a training seminar on the methodology of conducting a self-assessment and formation of the report, methodological help on self-assessment, carrying out a distance expertise of the SAR, formation of the expert group and the programme for the external review, as well as the expenses for the experts’ remuneration, accommodation, meals and transportation.
Please see the annual reports and working plans at http://iqaa.kz/en/documents-of-iqaa/strategy
Please see the annual reports and working plans at http://iqaa.kz/en/documents-of-iqaa/strategy
7 Criterion: External quality assurance criteria and processes:
Measure: The description of the processes and criteria applied should be transparent and publicly available and normally include:
self evaluation, site visit, public report and follow-up measure
Measure: The description of the processes and criteria applied should be transparent and publicly available and normally include:
self evaluation, site visit, public report and follow-up measure
Description: The IQAA’s procedures for evaluation and accreditation follow the traditional model applied in the EHEA and best international practice: conducting training seminars for HEIs, self-assessment, expertise of SAR, external review by an independent group of experts, external review reports, decision of the Accreditation Council, publication of results, post-accreditation monitoring. The stages of conducting the procedures of institutional and specialized (programme) accreditation are described in more details in the self-assessment report (attached to Criterion 8) in the section 7. IQAA’s quality assurance processes and their methodologies and section 11.3 ESG Standard 2.3 Implementing processes.
Please see the IQAA's standards of accreditation at http://iqaa.kz/en/documents-of-iqaa/standards/institutional-accreditation and http://iqaa.kz/en/documents-of-iqaa/standards/specialized-accreditation
Please see the IQAA's standards of accreditation at http://iqaa.kz/en/documents-of-iqaa/standards/institutional-accreditation and http://iqaa.kz/en/documents-of-iqaa/standards/specialized-accreditation
8 Criterion: Quality assurance:
Measure: The description of the processes and criteria applied should be transparent and publicly available and normally include:
self evaluation, site visit, public report and follow-up measure
Measure: The description of the processes and criteria applied should be transparent and publicly available and normally include:
self evaluation, site visit, public report and follow-up measure
Description: IQAA has Internal Quality Assurance Policy and the Department of Analysis and Quality responsible for internal quality assurance. IQAA undergoes a financial audit by local companies and an external review by ENQA. See attached the self-assessment report written in the process of preparation to the ENQA's external review this October.
Please see the IQAA's self-assessment report at http://iqaa.kz/IQAA's%20Self-Assessment%20Report.pdf
Please see the IQAA's self-assessment report at http://iqaa.kz/IQAA's%20Self-Assessment%20Report.pdf
Criteria Requirements for Institutional Member
Institutional Member Criteria:
Measure: Institutional Members are institutions of higher education in the region that are in good standing with the relevant quality assurance agency if one exists.
Measure: Institutional Members are institutions of higher education in the region that are in good standing with the relevant quality assurance agency if one exists.
Proof of recognition as a Higher Education Institution: Applicable Only For Institutional Members
Proof of the organisation’s good standing with the local QA agency: Applicable Only For Institutional Members
Criteria Requirements for Associate Member
Associate Member Criteria:
Measure:Associate Members are organisations with a major interest and active involvement in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education, but without the responsibility for assuring the quality of institutions, education programs, or external quality assurance agencies
Measure:Associate Members are organisations with a major interest and active involvement in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education, but without the responsibility for assuring the quality of institutions, education programs, or external quality assurance agencies
Applicable Only For Associate Members
Criteria Requirements for Intermediate Member
1 Criterion: Nature of the operations of the agency:
Measure: The agency is responsible for reviews at institutional or programme level of post-secondary education institutions or post-secondary quality assurance agencies
Measure: The agency is responsible for reviews at institutional or programme level of post-secondary education institutions or post-secondary quality assurance agencies
Description: Applicable Only For Intermediate Members
2 Criterion: Mission statement and objectives:
Measure: The agency has formulated a mission statement and objectives which are consistent with the nature of the agency
Measure: The agency has formulated a mission statement and objectives which are consistent with the nature of the agency
Applicable Only For Intermediate Members
3 Criterion: :
Proof of the organisation’s good standing with the local QA agency
Proof of the organisation’s good standing with the local QA agency
Applicable Only For Intermediate Members
Criteria Requirements for Observer
Criterion For Observers:
Measure: APQN accepts as Observers organisations outside the Asia-Pacific region, including: external quality assurance agencies; institutions with a major interest in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education; other regional networks that have major interests in and strong links with the region
Measure: APQN accepts as Observers organisations outside the Asia-Pacific region, including: external quality assurance agencies; institutions with a major interest in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education; other regional networks that have major interests in and strong links with the region
Criteria Requirements for Observer: Applicable Only For Observers
Documentation and Fees
Additional Information: No additional information is required for my application
Documents Submitted
Located in: APQN Members
