Evaluating Academic Quality Assurance in Private Higher Education Institutions in Sierra Leone: A Comparative Study of UMT, UoL, and CU

This study examines the role and effectiveness of Academic Quality Assurance (AQA) mechanisms in three private higher education institutions in Sierra Leone: the University of Management and Technology (UMT), the University of Lunsar (UoL), and Central University (CU). Adopting a mixed-methods comparative case study design, the research draws on Total Quality Management, Stakeholder Theory, and Institutional Theory to analyze how quality assurance is structured, implemented, and experienced within these institutions. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to students and academic staff, while qualitative insights were obtained from semi-structured interviews with administrators, quality assurance officers, and regulatory stakeholders, complemented by institutional document analysis. The findings indicate that although all three universities have established formal AQA frameworks in line with national accreditation requirements, their effectiveness varies considerably. Common challenges include limited financial and human resources, weak data-driven monitoring systems, inadequate faculty development mechanisms, and low levels of stakeholder participation. Comparative results show that Central University demonstrates relatively stronger implementation of quality assurance practices, particularly in stakeholder engagement and faculty support, whereas UMT and UoL exhibit more compliance-oriented approaches. The study contributes empirical evidence to the limited literature on academic quality assurance in private higher education within post-conflict contexts and provides practical insights for strengthening institutional quality assurance systems in Sierra Leone.