Self-Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE) of Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST) was conducted from 3rd to 4th January 2023. Self-IPE is considered to be an internal QA activity, carried out by each HEIs to assess the preparedness and capacity of the institution, ensuring institutional performance as per the required standards. It encourages institutions to adopt and implement QA standards and processes with a clear sense of transparency and accountability. This exercise supports institutions in developing their capacity, improving performance, and creating a quality culture. There are eleven IPE standards designed to assess qualitative and quantitative attributes representing academic, administrative and financial effectiveness of HEIs. Institution meeting the expectation against all the eleven standards (Mission and Goals, Planning and Evaluation, Organization and Governance, Integrity, Faculty, Students, Institutional Resources, Academic Programs and Curricula, Public Disclosure and Transparency, Assessment and Quality Assurance, and Student Support Services) are assigned the status of a recognized quality provider by the Higher Education Commission. CUST Internal institutional performance evaluation for the year 2022-23 was conducted by the following review committee comprised of both external and internal members.

The review panel, as per devised process conducted their meetings with all the relevant stakeholders including Vice-Chancellor CUST, Registrar, Deans, Directors, Faculty, and students. In addition to these meetings, the IPE panel also visited different university officials and gathered relevant information and evidences.

The University Portfolio Report (UPR) duly prepared by QEC including the required University Wide Data (UWD) was shared with the review panel before their formal visit. The review panel during the visit went through all relevant information and evidences related to each set standard provided in UPR. Representatives from different university departments were also invited by the review panel for interactive sessions and gathering of relevant information. The review panel shared their highest satisfaction about the level of effectiveness and commitment of university towards meeting these standards.

The recommendations and observations given by the review committee were communicated to the relevant quarter through Vice Chancellor’s Office.

The IPE Report for the year 2022-2023 reflects that CUST’s performance against all IPE standard are extraordinary and shows firm commitment of its leadership in implementing all QA standards. The role of university leadership and all relevant offices were appreciated in creating quality culture through engagement and active contribution of all concerned university officials and offices. The review team appreciated the role of QEC in implementing all the QA processes in its true spirit as per the vision of the Vice Chancellor.

PGPR is the quality assurance activity conducted by HEC QAA or the HEI itself. The objective of the PGPR is to review and assess the performance of all the post post-graduate programs being offered at the HEI against set performance indicators. The Self Post Graduate Program Review (PGPR) of Capital University of Science and Technology for the year 2022-23 was conducted on 3rd – 5th January, 2023. The visit was planned to follow-up on the compliance of the university against last PGPR review findings as per HEC QA guidelines and policies. The panel was comprised of following including, two external and two internal members:

The panel showed its satisfaction on the overall effective implementation of QA standards for the 20 graduate programs including 10 MS/ M.Phil. and 7 Ph.D. programs being offered and appreciated the quality processes/ mechanisms followed and implemented by CUST as per HEC guidelines, CUST meets all essential requirements to run its Post Graduate academic programs, and the provision of resources is compatible with the international standards. The university has state of the art facilities for teaching and research. The review panel showed its satisfaction with the conducive learning environment provided to the students.

The Self Post Graduate Program Review (Self-PGPR) of Capital University of Science and Technology for the year 2023-24 was conducted on 31th January – 1st February, 2024. The Self-PGPR panel comprised of two external and two internal members to review the PGPR proforma prepared by the QEC on the predefined guidelines by QAA-HEC. The panel comprised of:

Review panel during as per the process devised by HEC QAA, met with all the relevant stakeholders including Vice-Chancellor, Deans/ HODs, Faculty, and Students. They also inspected the infrastructure facilities including Classrooms, Library, Laboratories, Data centre, sports facilities, and University dispensary. The review panel then, prepared their report, including findings and recommendations. They have showed overall satisfaction with the quality processes/ mechanisms being followed and implemented by CUST as per HEC guidelines. They appreciated the availability of state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research and mentioned that laboratories are well equipped with the latest equipment/apparatus as compatible with international standards.

The review panel shared key findings with the Vice-Chancellor CUST, Deans/ HODs during their exit meeting. The MS/MPhil and Ph.D. program being offered were found ‘OK’ as per guidelines/Criteria of HEC as the review panel showed its satisfaction with the effective implementation of QA standards required for 20 graduate programs including 13 MS and 7 Ph.D. programs.

The review panel also suggested few recommendations for further improvement of the academic governance of the university. CUST, QEC prepared the Compliance/ Implementation and action taken report in view of those recommendations and communicated to the relevant departments for the compliance prior the next PGPR review which is expected in 2025.

Self-Assessment of all the academic programs is important for assuring the academic quality of education and it also provides feedback to the department faculty and university administration to prepare the required action plan. The basic purpose of the self-assessment exercise is to maintain and enhance academic standards; i.e., enabling the promotion of students learning, verifying academic programs, ensuring institutional objectives and goals. Relevant documentations/ data of programs were gathered against eight set standards and thirty-one attributes through the Self-Assessment process, reviewed critically, and suggested important remedial action/steps for future improvement of the program. 37 programs offered at CUST including, 20 Post Graduate Programs and 17 Under-Graduate Programs have been already assessed through the self-assessment process suggested by HEC QAA.

Initially, the departments’ respective program teams prepared the Self-Assessment Reports which were submitted to QEC. The status of the SARs of the under graduate, graduate and post graduate programs was also shared with the HEC QAA through the YPR 2023 which was sent in August 2023. QEC then processed the assessment process through designated Assessment Teams. Assessment Teams recommended that all the programs meet the HEC requirements and assigned satisfactory status. Based on the AT report recommendations/findings, QEC prepared an Executive summary of each Program and submitted it to the University authority for perusal and approval. After the approval from the competent authority, the same executive summaries were forwarded to the concerned departments upon which the departments updated the Self-Assessment Reports which is also referred to as “Action taken Reports”.

Updated Self-Assessment Reports of the programs: BS Accounting and Finance, BS Psychology, MS Electrical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering, MS Engineering Management, MS Civil Engineering, MS Biosciences, BS English, MPhil Mathematics, PhD Mathematics, PhD civil Engineering, PhD Mechanical Engineering, PhD Electrical Engineering, PhD Biosciences, BS Biotechnology, BS Biosciences, BS Microbiology, MS Computer Sciences , PhD Computer Sciences in the second cycle were submitted during 2023 with the implementation and incorporation of the corrective actions suggested by the Assessment Teams. QEC reviewed these updated SARs for compliance. The second cycle of the SAR for the following programs was successfully completed in December 2023 and the loop has been closed.

The details of these SARs have been shared with the HEC QAA as part of the Yearly Progress Report in 2024. There are two programs BS Biochemistry and MS Accounting and Finance which are entering the first cycle and their program teams have prepared the SAR for the first time and submitted to QEC in January, 2024.  Assessment Teams have been constituted to review the SAR and the same process will be repeated.