The overall objective of the proposed research project was to study the impact of COVID-19 on Quality Assurance and Accreditation Systems of the countries who are technologically weak. The information on interim efforts and difficulties faced by the QAA Agencies of technologically weak countries towards digitalization of the system and process would provide policy feedback to advance the system to a next stage. The aim of this study was to explore the best practices initiated by the agencies of the economically and technologically advanced countries so as to adopt similar measures by developing countries. The project would also map the problems the QAA Agencies of developed and developing countries faced during the transition to digital era of assessment.

This research was designed with three objectives namely i) to explore the impacts of COVID-19 to the QAA Agencies and review the strengths and weaknesses of existing QAA system, ii) map the innovative ways initiated by the QAA agencies to carry out assessment for accreditation amidst the pandemic, and iii) identify the risk and problems associated with digital transformation (innovative approach) of assessment.

This research aimed to study institutional readiness and capacity of colleges affiliated with the National University in Bangladesh to implement quality assurance activities. Specifically, it aimed to identify:

• the institutional capacity and readiness of teachers and leaders trained under the College Education Development Project in supporting quality assurance activities initiated by the Bangladesh accreditation Council within tertiary level colleges in Bangladesh;
• gaps in the existing ECPD training programmes for BCEDP college leaders and teacher.