Concepts of quality in independent accreditation in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept, criteria and definitions of quality of higher education from the perspectives of the leadership of three new independent accreditation agencies in Kyrgyzstan. Design/methodology/approach The author employed interpretative qualitative research design. The data for this study were collected through semi-structured interviews with the leadership of three independent accreditation agencies and through review and the qualitative analyses of new policies on accreditation of higher education institutions, new accreditation standards and criteria. A priori codes by using categories were defined in advance and emergent codes based on data driven were used for data analyses. Findings The research findings support the author’s argument that the new independent accreditation processes will not assure quality because first, the agencies are not independent of the Ministry of Education and Science; second, the current standards do not provide evidence of quality; and third, the institutions do not have what in Europe is called a “quality culture” – ongoing, continuous efforts toward quality. Originality/value This is first scholarly work looking at independent accreditation process at its beginning stage. The results of an article can have influence on further development of accreditation system and improvement of accreditation standards.

Governing Universities in Post-Soviet Countries

“…As a part of the Bologna Process reforms, Kyrgyzstan established independent accreditation of academic programs to assure the public about the quality of higher education programs. To achieve quality assurance of higher education institutions, the working group, including the Ministry of Education and Science (MEoS), developed specific regulations approved by the Kyrgyz government that created the legal basis to start independent accreditation of University academic programs in September 2016 (Ryskulova, 2019). According to the Law on Education, the National Accreditation Council (NAC) is a body that recognizes or denies the activities of independent accreditation agencies based on the regulations established by the government of the Kyrgyz Republic.…”

“…The National Accreditation Council (NAC) chair is the minister of education, and NAC functions on a pro bono basis. Although the accreditation system is under the control of the MoES, and while the relationship between the MoES and newly established independent accreditation agencies is not clear, accreditation of higher education institutions is nevertheless a requirement for granting University degrees (Ryskulova, 2019).…”