Next Steps Toward Quality Assurance in Nursing Education - Decision Making Committee for Accreditation of Two First Target Nursing Colleges and Ongoing Efforts at Other Colleges -

August 11^th, 2025

Following the site visits conducted between March and May this year by the accreditation review teams at College of Nursing, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar (CONSBN) and Mymensingh Nursing College (MNC)^*1, the Decision Making Committee meetings were held at the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC) on August 4, 6, and 7.
These meetings aimed to review the validity of the site-visit findings against each criterion and to finalize the results. They also served as an important forum for comprehensive discussion on the implementation of nursing education at the target institutions. The Committee was chaired by the Joint Secretary of the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division (MEFWD), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), and included representatives from MEFWD, principals of public and private nursing colleges, and nursing superintendents from medical college hospitals. Constructive discussions were held, taking into account the practical aspects of nursing education.

While the committee members highly appreciated the efforts observed during the site visits, they also shared several points for improvement, such as the need for unified tools and clearer approval processes in the operation of the accreditation system. The Project explained the importance of conducting evaluations based on the officially approved accreditation guideline and tools and expressed its commitment to cooperate with BNMC and relevant authorities in revising the tools and strengthening the capacity of review teams and other stakeholders, to ensure consistency and quality in system implementation.

Preparations for accreditation applications have also been expanded to other nursing colleges covered by the Project. Since July, the Project has visited Chattogram Nursing College (CNC) and Rangpur Nursing College (RpNC), where preparations have been progressing, to support the finalization of their Self-Assessment Report and to assist in reviewing and organizing supporting documents serving as evidence for each standard. Faculty members at both colleges are actively compiling evidence according to the criteria within each accreditation domain and identifying areas for improvement. Working closely with the teaching staff, the Project is providing specific guidance and supporting the establishment of institutional mechanisms for continuous quality enhancement as both colleges move toward submitting their reports and formal accreditation applications to BNMC.

The convening of the Decision Making Committee at BNMC and the progress of self-assessment activities at two additional nursing colleges demonstrate the expansion of quality-assurance mechanisms in the field of nursing education. The accreditation system is not merely a framework for evaluation; it also serves to foster a culture of quality assurance, enabling educational institutions to reflect on their own performance and pursue ongoing improvement. The Project will continue to collaborate with BNMC, MOHFW, the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM), and the target nursing colleges to advance the quality of nursing education and to ensure the sustainable operation of the accreditation system.

^*1 See also our Project News: “Site Visits by the Review Team for the Accreditation of the Two First Target Nursing Colleges”, June 30^th, 2025.