SAQS Process
Expression of Interest
Please fill the online form (click here for online form) expressing your interest to enter SAQS Accreditation. AMDISA will respond with an invoice for the Eligibility Fee (1st Installment).
Application Process
- Fill-in the "SAQS Application Data Sheet" and email it simultaneously remitting the Eligibility Fee to AMDISA.
- This Data Sheet is a short questionnaire that sets out basic factual information about the Institution to allow a preliminary formal assessment of the quality of the Institution against the SAQS criteria.
Eligibility Decision
- The SAQS Committee will assess the data provided in the SAQS Application Data Sheet and determine eligibility to enter the SAQS Accreditation process.
- Eligibility decision will be communicated together with call for 2nd installment of SAQS fee prior to appointment of Mentor.
Mentor Appointment
Upon receipt of 2nd installment of the SAQS fee from the institution, SAQS Committee will identify a Mentor to assist in preparation of the Self Assessment Report.
Role of Mentor (click to read)
Mentor Visits
- One in the beginning and another when the Self-Assessment Report is ready for submission.
- SAQS will meet mentor’s travel expenses for the two formal visits to the institution and pay per-diem for 2-3 days for each visit. The Institution would be expected to extend local hospitality to the Mentor in terms of boarding and lodging and airport pickup & drop.
- Upon completion of 2 mentor visits , call for 3rd installment of the SAQS fee will be made.
Self-Assessment Report Submission
- The Self-Assessment Report on submission is scrutinized by the SAQS Committee, whereafter, call for 4th and final installment of the SAQS fee is made.
- Peer Review Team identified by the SAQS Committee.
Peer Review Team Visit
- The Peer Review Team is constituted which comprises four members, three from the Academic community and one Corporate Representative. A panel of Corporate Representative names are provided by the institution from which the SAQS Committee select one. The Peer Review Team's visit to the institution lasts 3 days.
- SAQS will meet PRT’s travel expenses for its visit to the institution and pay per-diem for 3 days. The Institution would be expected to extend local hospitality to the PRT in terms of boarding and lodging and airport pickup & drop.
PRT Report
- The PRT submits its report on the institutional visit within 30 days of conclusion of the visit.
- The PR report without the final recommendation sent to the Institution for feedback on factual inconsistencies.
Accreditation Decision
- The PRT report and related documents sent to SAQS Accreditation Awarding Committee for its consideration.
- The SAQS Accreditation Awarding Committee makes the final decision on SAQS accreditation. The outcomes can be 5 years Accreditation, 3 years Accreditation, or Rejection.
Strategic Advice / Guided Development
Institution which has not been SAQS accredited may opt to enter Guided Development which is designed to help the Institution's management team define and implement a strategic plan based on the recommendations of the Peer Review Team's report. The objective of this development plan is to achieve constant progress over a period of two to four years up to the level at which the Institution can expect to qualify for SAQS accreditation.
Post-accreditation Compliance
In the month following the award of 5 years SAQS Accreditation,
- Institution selects 3 objectives based on recommendations provided by Peer Review Team which are sent to the SAQS Accreditation Awarding Committee for its concurrence.
- Institutions submit mid-term progress report after 30 months of award of Accreditation based on objectives selected and the recommendations made by the SAQS Accreditation Awarding Committee.
- Purpose of selection of objectives and reporting of objective is to ensure that Institutions granted Accreditation continue to develop in spirit of the SAQS emphasis on continuous improvement.
Any Institution receiving 3 years Accreditation will be required to submit,
- A 5-10 page Annual Progress Report to SAQS at the end of Year 1 and Year 2 after being awarded the accreditation.
- Achievements in both the Progress Reports will be evaluated by a member of the PR Team who visited the Institution earlier and another SAQS empanelled Peer Reviewer.
Re-accreditation
In case the institution wishes to maintain its Accreditation, it must enter the process for Re-accreditation well in time before expiry of accreditation period.