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© Proceedings of the Ruhuna Quality Assurance Sessions 2021 (RUQAS 2021)
st
21 September 2021

circular of 932 issued in 2010. DCEU conducts Bachelor of Art (external) Degree program (EDP) and
Extension courses (ECs) such as Certificates and Diploma programs, leading to developing skills and

acquiring competencies through Open and Distance Learning modes. These programs are conducted

with the collaboration of different Faculties of the university, namely BA degree program from Faculty
of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) and, Diploma and Certificates programs from faculties of H

& SS, Management & Finance and Agriculture etc.

Assuring the quality of education provision is a fundamental aspect of gaining and maintaining
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credibility for programmes, institutions, and national systems of education worldwide . There is a
growing demand for accountability and transparency in higher education worldwide. Open and

Distance Learning System requires maintaining and proving the quality of learners’ educations as
ODL systems are different from conventional education processes. Physical separation of learners

from teachers (less face to face contact), gaps in learners’ support from teachers and institutions, and
different assessment methods, etc. are the main characteristics in the ODL system. Therefore, the

quality assurance (QA) of ODL aims at placing the interests of the learners and the facilitation of

learning at the center. This needs to be addressed at all the activities at every level and to constantly
strive to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the activities and programmes. The QA process

of ODL should lead to the achievement of standards of the programs and goals and objectives of the
center that are aligned with the institution’s vision and national policy.

As the quality of the ODL is merely judged by in terms of learning material, academic programmes,

services provided, and the standard of the qualification holders produced, Quality assurance of ODL
systems is essential to be framed on following main categories,

▪ Institutional policy documents respect to ODL and Quality Assurance

▪ Admission criteria and selection of students

▪ Planning and conducting of the academic programs

▪ Teaching and learning material

▪ Quality of the staff

▪ Students learning

▪ Assessment procedure and the releasing results

▪ Quality of the qualification provided

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