The revised STCW Convention provides not only quality standards for
seafarers, but also requirements and guidelines for instructors, examiners and
institutions, as well as the quality control. New provisions require that those engaged in
the instruction of seafarers are appropriately qualified and experienced. These
instructors who assess skills and competency should hold a level of qualification at least
equivalent to the qualification for which the assessment is being conducted. They should
also have at least one year of service in a capacity corresponding to the level of
qualification concerned and be trained in assessment techniques and evaluation processes.
The new provisions also require the Parties to ensure that the quality
assurance is conducted in all training and certification activities which are in relation
to:
the determination and implementation of the quality policy;
a quality system with an organizational structure, responsibility,
procedures and resources;
the necessary activity for effective quality control;
the planned and systematic quality assurance reviews;
the periodical external quality audit.
3. Internal Quality Assessment
The internal quality assessment is to examine the education quality,
quality management and quality control at all levels of the institutions' teaching
activities by using the self-assessment model. This assessment can be done within a
periodical time depending on the working plan at the specific maritime institution, and
one year's period would be normally chosen.
3.1 Internal Quality Assessment Process
The internal quality assessment is done periodically and there are five
main stages for the process.
(1) Preparation
The internal quality assessment involves a comprehensive effort and
there is a need for ample time to prepare all the institutional matters to be covered as
follows:
a self-assessment committee including a working group, which is
responsible for the internal quality assessment, should be established. The members of
this committee must be representative of the various quarters within the maritime
institution. If necessary, external experts or visiting professors can be invited as
consultants;
all the necessary information about teaching, management and quality
control should be collected and documented;
various forms and tables recording teaching programs, lecture
evaluations and data concerned should be drawn up;
a plan of the internal quality assessment is approved by the
institution's head;
the quality standards within the frameworks of the specific maritime
institution are adopted by the recognized academic accreditation body. In China, this body
is the Bureau of Education, Ministry of Communications.
(2) Self Study
A self study is the most important stage for the internal quality
assessment. The working group under the self-assessment committee will make a
comprehensive effort to sort out, investigate, analyze and evaluate all materials and
information concerned so as to provide sufficient and necessary information for
assessment. In this stage, the investigation and analysis is not easy work.
