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Large number of vacant seats across all sectoral business management courses
Non employability of Indian management graduate to the level where they should be.
High student mobility to countries like United Kingdom (UK), Europe, United states of America(USA) for
management education.
This reflects the lack of confidence of two very important stakeholders in higher education system; the Students showing lack
of confidence in the quality of Education and the recruiters showing lack of confidence in the graduating students. Quality
assurance of the institutes and its programmes has thus gained prime importance in the current highly competitive education
system.
QUALITY OF MANAGEMENT EDUCATION
In past few years, the increasing number of new management institutions all over the country to meet the increased demand
from the management aspirants has led the financially motivated entrepreneurs to enter the field of education and open up
new B-schools. In addition, such colleges have been successful in receiving random approvals from the accreditation bodies
and have resulted in a situation, which points towards the absence of a consistent methodology to ensure institutional
accountability. Such a situation has resulted in sub-optimal quality of management education offered by these colleges.
Besides, little importance to faculty quality and placements is another factor that has led to lowered educational quality. Such
colleges need to develop a regulatory environment to maintain the balance of autonomy and accountability. Quality assurance
for higher education programmes has therefore assumed top priority as it is expected to create students with industry relevant
skills, a broad knowledge base and a set of competencies that are required to enter the complex and interdependent world
(Altbach et al., 2009). Quality is a multidimensional concept, the definition of which is constantly changing. Apart from the
national level regulatory bodies, many private and public associations are involved in accrediting institutions of higher
education to ensure quality. The increasing number of accrediting bodies and their ever changing standards (requirements)
bear testimony to the fact that quality assurance is of paramount importance to educational institutions. In addition to the
several other requirements of accrediting bodies, assessment of learning outcomes has evolved as a major challenge to many
institutions. The effectiveness of the teaching learning process is made evident through the assessment process and results. A
well planned and executed assessment process aids to obtain information on the effectiveness of the learning environment and
to diagnose strengths and weaknesses leading to remedial action (Atkins et al, 1993).
This observed trend has brought an opportunity to accreditation agencies for assurance of quality in education in various
domains and help education institutions achieve excellence.
ROLE OF ACCREDITATION
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) 2001 describes accreditation as, “the process of external quality
review used in higher education to scrutinize colleges, universities, and higher educational programs for quality assurance and
quality improvement. Success results in an accredited institution and/or program.
Considering this definition, accreditation agencies do have a role in improvement of quality of education. Therefore, looking
at the above scenario the accrediting agencies have an opportunity to work with many higher education institutes including
management institutes and facilitate them in improvement of quality and relevance of their program. The agencies may set
standards for student recruitment, curriculum development, teaching-learning process, evaluation and grading systems
assuring quality and credibility of degrees through accreditation.
However, accreditation in India not only serves as the medium of quality assurance of education it also leads to development
of stakeholder‟s faith in systems of higher education and attains a broader goal of sustainable development of management
education.
The objective of the accreditation process is to develop a quality conscious system of technical education where excellence,
relevance to market needs and participation by all stake holders are ensured. The process focuses on building a professional
education system as vendors of human resources that will match the national goals of growth by competence, contributions to
economy through competitiveness and compatibility to societal development. It intends to ensure a teaching-learning
environment as per accepted good practices and institutions which has the essential and desirable features of quality
professional education. For institutions, it signifies their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for future growth, for the
industry and infrastructure providers, it signifies, identification of quality of institutional capabilities. (Sahay &Thakur, 2007).
ACCREDITATION SYSTEMS TRADITIONAL VS MODERN (INTERNATIONAL)
TRADITIONAL INPUT-PROCESS-OUTPUT SYSTEM
The traditional approach to accreditation of management programmes is focused primarily on the input quality and the
process quality. The general belief is that if the input (the student) and the process (faculty, curriculum, facilities and
resources) are good and sufficient, then the output (the programme graduates) must be naturally good. This system of
accreditation has its merits and has worked reasonably well since there is a high correlation of achieving good output when
the input and the process are good. This is akin to a manufacturing facility whereby it is expected that a good product should
be achieved with good raw materials and good equipment and process.
The traditional accreditation systems include the following elements and functions as under:
s
t
Mission/Vision Evaluation
i
t Institutional
u
C
t
PEO
Assessment
o
e
u
r Students Program
s
S
e Outcomes Assessment
t Course Planning and Delivery
u Course Learning Syllabus Course
d
e Outcomes Teaching Methods
n Learning Activities Assessment
t
Assessment Tools
t
Fig.4.Source
MINIMAL MODEL VS INPUT-PROCESS-OUTPUT VS OUTCOME BASED ACCREDITATION
This model ascertains basic characteristics of This model strictly adheres to the core This model prescribes a minimum core
the institution and programme. In general, curriculum. It gives direct prescriptions and basic requirements. It focuses on the
of curriculum and faculty composition. It goals and objectives of the programme.
this model is numeric and law-based. This
also specifies parameters for the rest of But, it does not specify the specific goals
model ascertains the existence of
the curriculum. It makes the accrediting of the program. Thus provides significant
infrastructure, size and qualification of the process uniform and potentially fair. The diversity in setting up goals and
faculty, coverage of basic topics in the criteria of objectives. It makes that this model is
curriculum. Further, it provides a prescription very different from other models. This
this model are unambiguous and often
for a minimal core and general parameters for model requires evidence of
numeric. But, it is difficult to establish
the rest of the curriculum. The minimal model measurements to feed a quality
and update.
is easy to implement and maintain as long as improvement process. It is sophisticated
it adheres to the “minimal” philosophy. One This model is relatively easy to maintain and hard to evaluate as it requires a lot of
of the major drawbacks of this model is that it as it is adherent to clear rules. However, responsibility and risk in the hands of the
does not encourage continuous improvement there is no scope for innovation and program leaders.
in curriculum, teaching learning process and creativity in the curriculum.
faculty competency other than qualification.
THE NEW NBA FORMAT
NBA in its present form came into existence as an autonomous body with effect from 7th January 2010, with the
objective of Assurance of Quality and Relevance of Education, especially of the programmes in professional and
technical disciplines, i.e., Engineering and Technology, Management, Architecture, Pharmacy and Hospitality,
through the mechanism of accreditation of programs offered by technical institutions.
NBA has introduced a new process, parameters and criteria for accreditation for Engineering, Pharmacy, Computer,
architecture as of now. These are in line with the best international practices and oriented to assess the outcomes of
the programme. NBA in its keenness to join the comity of permanent members of Washington Accord has ventured
upon to adopt the concept of outcome based accreditation process. NBA is assisted by mentors assigned by the
international bodies; in order to line up the students outcomes in conformity with ABET Engineering Accreditation
Commission (EAC).In the light of this; the NBA and AICTE also need to address universities and institutions
providing management education to orient their various programmes and curricula to outcome based approach.
National Board of Accreditation (NBA), is therefore currently offering various types of Orientation/Training
programme focused on facilitation of Outcome Based Education and Accreditation. These training programmes are
a proactive step to sensitize the management institutions about the accreditation processes, about quality assurance
and advantages to its progranmes through this affiliation. The training includes development of curricula, quality
metrics, assessment, evaluation and continuous improvement which is an integral part of outcome based
accreditation.
MODEL FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
Recruiters,
Society,
Management etc
Stakeholders
inputs
Derived Demonstrates
from
Attainment of Measured
Mission Against
And
Vision
Program
Assessment
Educational
Objectives Criteria
Assessment
Tasks
Prepare
Graduate The
Learner
Attributes for
Learning
Course
Activities
Outcome
Expand to
Specific
Achieved through
Listening skills
Negotiation skills
Group dynamics
Provides the institution with the direction for pedagogy that focuses on continuous improvement
Disseminate the right information to the society about the quality of education provided by the institution.
Throughout the world the outcome based accreditation by an external agency has become a part of governing
system of management education. It leads to mutual recognition and globalisation of management education.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE INSTITUTES ENROLLED FOR ACCREDITATION
Understanding clearly the requirements, procedures and policy of OBA
Setting appropriate PEO and SLO which are relevant, measurable and meeting OBA requirements.
Buying in form faculty on the benefits of OBA and securing their commitment in implementing the
continuous quality improvement mechanism, particularly at individual course module.
Instituting the continuous quality improvement mechanism and having people and resources to monitor the
process.
Obtaining support and feedback from the stake holders.
Effective implementation of the OBA system is challenging and must involve each and every faculty
member.
Stakeholders must be involved in the formulation and evaluation of PEO and SLO.
This paper highlights the role of OBA as a continuously evolving process that helps management schools to
meet the challenges posed by the dynamic context. The paper would help business schools enrolling for the
outcome based accreditation to know the nuisances for this process and the challenges that they may face.
The paper considers NBA‟s new outcome based accreditation program which is too recent phenomenon to
comment on the implications of it on management program. The researcher has therefore focused only on
changes in the process as compared to the older one and can draw attention on the challenges faced by the
business schools enrolled in this accreditation program.
REFERENCES
Altbach.P.G., Reisberg L, Rumbley L E. “Trends in Global Higher Education:Tracking an Academic Revolution” A
Report Prepared for the UNESCO 2009 World Conference on Higher Education available at
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Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (2007). AACSB assurance of learning standards: An
interpretation.(accessedJanuary5,2014), [ available at http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/papers/AOLPaper-final-
11-20-07.pdf]
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (2010).Eligibility procedures and accreditation standards for
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http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/business_standards.pdf]
Atkins, M., Beattie, J. and Dockrell, B. (1993) Assessment Issues in Higher Education, Employment Department,
Sheffield, available at eric.ed .pdf
B-schools and Engineering colleges shut down- Big Business Struggles, The Associated Chambers of Commerce
and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) Report
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http://www.dreducation.com/2013/01/engineering-mba-india-statistics.html accessed on December 20, 2013.
Christophe L, and Strasbourg E M (2011) Is continuous improvement through accreditation sustainable?: A
capability-based view, Management Decision, volume 49 (9), pp1535-1548
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