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

RP11
Perception of Academics on Quality Assurance Reviews and Information System Support

in Sri Lankan Universities

1*
2
H.M.C. Pushpakumara , P.M. Jayaweera , and M.K. Wanniarachchige 1
1 University of Ruhuna, Matara,

2 University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda,

* Corresponding author: chandanap@badm.ruh.ac.lk

Abstract

Recently, Sri Lankan higher education institutes aggressively focus on quality assurance. However,
many practical difficulties have emerged in implementing information systems and in conducting

quality assurance reviews. In this context, quality assurance functions have become an additional
burden, and some academics are reluctant to engage in the quality assurance process. Nevertheless,

empirical evidence regarding this issue is limited. Therefore, this study explores the academics'

perception of the quality assurance reviews and information system support for such reviews in this
scenario. The study collected data from a sample of 88 academics from Sri Lankan state universities

through an online survey conducted during January and May in 2021. The questionnaire mainly
focuses on academics’ perception of the quality assurance review process, providing evidence for

quality assurance reviews, information systems support for quality assurance functions and expected
improvements for information systems. The findings suggest that academics have a positive

impression on quality assurance reviews. Further, they believe that information systems can facilitate

quality assurance reviews. Nevertheless, given that the contribution of existing information systems
towards quality assurance is limited, academics expect further improvements to the existing

information systems. Therefore, while highlighting the fact that academics generally have a positive
attitude towards quality assurance, this study signals the necessity of more studies to investigate how

information systems can be effectively implemented to facilitate the quality assurance process.

Keywords: Quality Assurance, Higher Education, Information Systems, Sri Lanka

Introduction

During the last two decades, Sri Lankan higher education institutions (HEIs) have made substantial

improvements in quality assurance (QA) (Bandara, 2018; Imbulgoda, 2019; Peiris et al., 2013;

Wickramasinghe, 2013; Wickramasinghe, Peiris and Peiris, 2014). The establishment of the formal
QA authority for the higher education system, implementation of the Sri Lanka Quality Assurance

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