AlAzhar University Gaza Strategic Planning 20042009

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Al-Azhar University - GazaStrategic Planning
2004-2009

• Mohamed Owdaa, PhD
• Director of the Quality Assurance Unit
• June 29, 2005

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Introduction

• The Al-Azhar University - Gaza Strategic Plan
  2004-2009 was prepared by the Strategic Plan
  Committee working closely with sub-committees
  that included, amongst others, faculty members,
  staff and students.
• The Plan is reviewed periodically by the
  Strategic Plan Committee which is part of the QA
  unit.

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Introduction

• The work of the Strategic Plan Committee,
  sub-committees and individuals was guided by
  commitment to achieve excellence in all fields
  academic and non-academic activities, service to
  Palestinian society and research.
• The AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA regards itself as
  the leading higher education institution in the
  area.
• Its mission is based on its vision  and core
  values.

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Introduction

• More specifically the present Strategic Plan was
  developed around the following seven elements
• Excellence in teaching and learning.
• Reduction in student population.
• More focus on research and graduate studies.

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Introduction

• More emphasis on professional Faculties.
• Continuation of accreditation and external
  evaluation
• Concentrated use of IT.
• Enhanced community service.

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Introduction

• The AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA role is not
  limited to teaching, research, and community
  services. The University is also an instrumental
  element in the development of all fields
  cultural, social, economic, scientific and
  technological.
• The AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA realizes that the
  key to success is its ability to significantly
  contribute to the development of the country.

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Introduction

• The AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA is committed to
  achieve its mission and goals by utilizing all
  available intellectual and physical resources.
• The Strategic Plan provides a useful working
  document to help us all in our tasks of continual
  improvement of the University.

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Vision

• "AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA will be the flagship
  institution of higher education in Palestine. 
• It will maintain excellent teaching, an effective
  learning environment with an optimum student
  population size, quality applied research, and
  outstanding community services.
• It will focus on international recognition of
  excellence through accreditation and external
  evaluation of all its activities. "

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 Mission

• "AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA is the premier
  national university whose mission is to meet the
  educational and cultural needs of the society by
  providing programs and services of the highest
  quality. 
• It contributes to the expansion of knowledge by
  conducting quality research and by developing and
  applying modern information technology.
• It plays a significant role in leading cultural,
  social and economic development in the country."

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Core Values

• 1-Heritage  
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA students, faculty and
  staff are proud of their heritage and culture.
  While they work hard to catch up with
  developments in the world they preserve their
  heritage.
• 2- Ethics
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA is committed to the
  highest standards of ethics.
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA fosters openness,
  honesty, fairness, tolerance and responsibility
  in social and moral, as well as academic matters.

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Core Values

• 3- Leadership
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA leads with integrity
  through innovation and excellence. AL-AZHAR
  UNIVERSITY - GAZA establishes new directions by
  talent and example.
• 4- Effective communication
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA values communications
  which are timely, thorough, open, and sensitive
  within the University community as well as
  between individuals.

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Core Values

• 5- Innovation
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA identifies challenges
  and opportunities presented by evolving human
  needs, new research methods and technologies, and
  promptly assembles the talent and resources
  needed to exploit them.
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA recognizes and rewards
  creativity in thinking that results in positive
  improvements and higher standards of performance.

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Core Values

• 6- Commitment to quality
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA focuses on
  understanding the needs of the communities it
  serves while applying principles of
  self-evaluation, benchmarking and continuous
  improvement to fulfill these needs.
• 7- Learning
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA combines research with
  outstanding undergraduate education through its
  focus on learning, research and problem solving.

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Core Values

• 8- Transcending disciplinary boundaries
• The AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA curriculum aims to
  transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA adopts the concept of
  interdisciplinary work wherever possible.
• 9- Responsibility
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA serves society through
  transfer of technology, continuing education
  programs, applied research and public service. 
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA perspectives and
  academic programs reflect both the national and
  the global contexts.

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Core Values

• 10- Maximum accountability
• AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY - GAZA students, staff and
  faculty are committed to their work.
• All strive to achieve the University goals and
  are expected to work hard to maintain the
  integrity of the University in all their actions.

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Goals

• Goal 1  BECOME THE CENTER OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
  IN THE COUNTRY
• Goal 2  BECOME MORE STUDENT FOCUSED
• Goal 3  Maintain world class curricula
• Goal 4  Hire, motivate, and reward superior
  faculty members

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Goals

• Goal 5  develop graduate programs and increase
  research and/or scholarly activity
• Goal 6  Communicate and collaborate more
  effectively with society
• Goal 7  Develop a service-oriented, responsive,
  accountable administration
• Goal 8  Maintain, develop a modern campus
• Goal 9  Diversify financial resources

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Where are we know??

• Each department, and college developed a
  strategic plan.
• There is a very high compliance with the plan and
  the initiative is welcomed by staff and students.

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In Conclusion

• Equally important as quality of research and
  education, is outperforming the competition.
• If an organization does not outperform its
  competition, it will not continue to exist.

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Thank you for your attention

• Dr. Mohamed Owdaa
• Quality Assurance Unit
• Al-Azhar University - Gaza