Purpose This study aims to explore whether and how leaders’ attributes, understanding of and attitude towards quality assurance (QA) shape their practices towards effective implementation of QA in universities. Design/methodology/approach Using qualitative case study, the data were collected from nine institutional leaders purposively selected from two universities. The data, collected through semi-structured interviews, were analysed using thematic analysis technique. Findings The findings revealed that personal attributes of leaders such as understanding of QA, attitude towards QA and practices shape leadership style either as transformational or compliance leader. The transformational leader implements QA procedures with the intention of bringing improvement in teaching learning and research quality. In contrast, the compliance leaders are primarily concerned with implementation of QA procedures merely to fulfil the requirements of an external regulatory body. Research limitations/implications This study acknowledges that certain other factors (e.g. demographics, institutional policies or practices) might have an influence on leadership practices. Using the framework of this study, further quantitative and/or mixed methods research can expand by bringing more factors that can shape leadership practices. Originality/value The role of leadership is significant to the success of any university. A plethora of studies have reported various aspects of successful leadership in higher education (HE). However, in the changing nature of HE due to the emergence of formal QA, there is paucity of research that focusses on the role of leader’s attributes in the effective implementation of QA procedures.

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Teachers’ pedagogical beliefs play a vital role in the process of teaching and learning. These beliefs are often reflected in their practices which lead to the formation of their instructional decision making. Pre-service teacher education programs are offered in many universities of Pakistan with the aim to prepare professional teachers with strong beliefs in the value of teaching profession. Therefore, this qualitative case study aimed to explore the transformation of pre-service prospective teachers’ beliefs regarding teaching skills during a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) program in the context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The data were collected from eight participants through semi-structured interviews in two phases: before teaching practice and after teaching practice. Findings revealed that pre-service teachers joined B.Ed. program with certain traditional beliefs about teaching skills that were rooted in their past experiences as students. The transformation of those beliefs took place at the time of teaching practice in a real classroom. The paper concludes that only coursework of pre-service teacher education might not be sufficient to transform prospective teachers’ beliefs, rather the teaching practice should be a contributory factor in transforming their pedagogical beliefs. This could mainly be attributed to the prospective teachers’ practical experiences in real classroom situations during the teaching practice. The study has important implications for teacher educators and educational researchers in terms of highlighting the important role of teaching practice in the professional preparation and development of prospective teachers.