Enhancing student involvement in accreditation and quality assurance: Insights from Minya University Faculty of Medicine

Background: Students are key stakeholders in medical education, yet their meaningful engagement in accreditation and quality assurance (AQA) processes remains limited. A survey conducted at Minya University Faculty of Medicine revealed that while 68.8% of students believe accreditation is crucial for the quality of medical education, only 29.9% are informed about AQA activities within their faculty. Additionally, 48.6% feel students are moderately involved in the accreditation process.  Accordingly, these findings highlight a significant gap in student engagement, which is crucial for improving educational quality and institutional accountability. Summary of Work: Minya Scientific Student Society (MSSS) conducted a survey involving 144 medical students to assess their involvement in AQA processes. Based on the findings, MSSS organized a workshop attended by 60 students, launched a 3-day onsite campaign reaching 90-110 students daily, and conducted an online campaign that engaged 5,840 students. These initiatives aimed to raise awareness, provide feedback mechanisms, and enhance student participation in AQA activities. Summary of Results : The survey results showed that 68.8% of students believe accreditation is very important for the quality of medical education. However, only 29.9% are informed about AQA activities. Following MSSS initiatives, 72.1% of students reported that AQA activities are now open to all students, and 84% of workshop participants showed increased knowledge about AQA. The faculty’s recent accreditation success further highlights the impact of these efforts. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical role of student engagement in AQA processes to improve medical education quality. MSSS initiatives have strengthened the connection between students and administration, enhancing a culture of collaboration and accountability. These local efforts align with global trends, as recognized by international frameworks like the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) , which advocate for student involvement in educational governance. Minya Faculty of Medicine’s accreditation success underscores the global relevance of student engagement, proving that empowered students are key to building strong educational systems. Take-home Message: Empowered students are essential partners in accreditation and quality assurance processes, contributing to the improvement of medical education and institutional accountability on both local and global scales