This study investigates the impact of quality assurance (QA) mechanisms on higher education in Afghanistan, a country undergoing significant educational reforms. Despite the importance of higher education for national development, Afghanistan faces challenges in ensuring academic standards and institutional effectiveness. Quality assurance frameworks, when effectively implemented, play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of teaching, learning, and research outcomes. This paper critically examines the existing QA structures within Afghanistan universities, exploring their role in institutional accountability and their alignment with international educational standards. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, the research assesses the effectiveness of current QA practices in improving educational quality, student outcomes, and institutional management. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from faculty members, administrative staff, and students across multiple universities in Afghanistan. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure representation from both public and private universities. Furthermore, the study identifies key challenges in the adoption and execution of QA systems, including limited resources and a lack of skilled personnel. Based on the findings, the paper offers practical recommendations to strengthen QA practices in Afghanistan’s higher education sector, emphasising the need for continuous reform, capacity building, and international collaboration. This study contributes to the broader discourse on higher education reform in developing countries, providing insights into the unique challenges and opportunities facing Afghanistan’s higher education system.
Shah et al. (Mon,) studied this question.