The Quality Assurance Authority (QAA) is a statutory body established under the Higher Education Act 2017 to uphold and elevate the quality of higher education in Mauritius. Operational since 17 January 2020, the QAA ensures institutions meet rigorous national and international standards through systematic quality audits, harmonized oversight, and alignment with global best practices. It replaces the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) as the cornerstone of quality assurance, fostering a dynamic, equitable, and globally competitive higher education sector.
Mission and Vision
Mission
The Authority promotes, maintains and enhances quality assurance of higher education in line with international standards.
Vision
The Quality Assurance Authority ensures the quality of education and research programmes of all higher education institutions in Mauritius in order to boost the international recognition and competitiveness of Mauritius in these areas.
Objectives of the QAA
The objectives of the QAA have been provided at Section 29 of the Higher Education Act 2017. The set objectives will serve as guiding principles for all strategic planning, policy making and standards and guidelines of the QAA.
The objectives of the QAA are to:
- promote, maintain and enhance –
(i) quality assurance of higher education in line with international standards;
(ii) high quality standards in higher education through appropriate quality assurance mechanisms; - enhance and identify good practice in higher education.
Key Functions
In line with its overarching objectives to promote, maintain and enhance quality assurance and quality standards in the higher education sector in Mauritius, the functions of the QAA as set in the HE Act revolves around 6 main areas of activity namely academic standards, quality assurance and audits, assessments, on-line programmes, and the maintenance of a Register of Qualifications.
1. Academic Standards
The QAA will be working with HEIs to define and develop academic standards and to ensure that the standards for qualifications in every HEI are being met. The QAA will be monitoring, regularly reviewing and providing advice on the standards for qualifications to the Minister of Education as may be required. Reports and reviews on the standards are to be published by the QAA.
2. Quality Assurance & Quality Audits
The QAA has been vested with the responsibility to carry out quality audits on a regular basis in all public and private HEIs. The audits are to be conducted with the collaboration of international experts in the field. International yardsticks may be used and the audit findings may be used for the benchmarking of performance.
3. Assessments
The QAA is mandated to ensure that HEIs have the mechanisms in place to guarantee that the assessment and moderation procedures are fair, equitable, consistent, and comply with the appropriate standards.
4. On-line Programmes
The QAA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor the delivery of on-line and inter-institutional programmes.
5. Research Degrees
The QAA has been assigned the responsibility to ensure that research degrees awarded by HEIs, are offered in a sound research environment
Powers
Require HEIs to:
- provide information and data on any matter falling within the Authority's functions and powers
- submit financial estimates and accounts and prepare periodical reports, in such form as the Authority may determine
- appoint committees and co-opt such persons as it may determine to such committees.
Contact Information
The QAA has its premises at: 8th Floor, Ebène Heights Building, Ebène, Mauritius
Phone : 4604179
Email : director@qaa.ac.mu
