QUALTITY ASSURANCE

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QUALTITY ASSURANCE The Ministry of higher
education in Syria
THE ROUNDTABLE MEETING OF QUALTITY ASSURANCE
AGENCIES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ISAMIC CONFERENCE
MEMBER COUNTRIES ,13-15 NOVEMBER 2009
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OUTLINE

• introduction about ministry of higher education
  institutes
• national policy for quality assurance
• Present situation
• Proposed structure for quality assurance and
  accreditation
• Challenges

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The Higher Committeefor Q Accreditation the
Mission

• (Higher Council Decision 154,10/January/2005)
• Setting up Self-assessment Methodologies and
  Procedures
• Setting up Quality Standards
• Establishing Self Assessment units in
  Universities
• Ensuring the Transition Phase Leading to the
  Establishment of the QAA Agency
• Establishing Quality Assurance and Accreditation
  Agency

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The national framework for the advancement of
quality of higher education
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Towards an Integrated Model for QA
Corrective actions
Corrective action
INPUTS
Monitoring
Mission
OUTCOMES
PROCESSES

• students
• building and equipments
• teachers
• Administration
• finance

• Achieve the mission
• Achieve the Objectives
• Customer satisfaction

• graduates
• researches
• services

• academic programs
• research projects
• community service

Goals
Expected Outcomes
Stakeholders
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Labor market
competitors
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customers
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Hierarchical shift towards standards
Determine levels and their relationship to the
National Academy of occupations and
characterization of these professions
On the national level
N. Qualification Framework
Is a reference guide for the field specialist
allows the academic community as the nature of
the academic programs and standards related to
the field specialist
Subject Benchmark Statement
A set of standard information provided by each
institution for each academic program
On the level of the universities and programs
Program Specifications
Among academic knowledge and concepts and skills
required by Graduate
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
In accordance with the specifications of the
program and educational outcomes targeted
Progress Files of the Student
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The methodology used in the transition

• phase one Top-down Approach
• Preparation of universities to change
• Create a critical mass for change
• Create an environment and culture enthusiasm to
  change
• phase two Bottom up Approach
• Strengthen the independence of universities
• The creation of institutional commitment to
  change and link the needs of each institution
• Building the necessary capacity in each
  institution according to their needs

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Foundation for making a quality assurance system

• 23/July/2006 create Directorate of evaluation
  and accreditation in the Ministry
• 11/September/2007 The formation of the Technical
  Committee for private universities
• 26/November/2007 Making rules for Academic
  Accreditation and technical assistance to private
  universities and the conditions and cancellation 
• 11/February/2008 establish a Center to quality
  assurance in all University  

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The EU Vector

• Upgrading the Higher Education System in Syria
  (UHES)
• (The Quality Component)
• - Support to the Development and Monitoring of a
  Quality Assurance System for Higher Education in
  Syria
• - Main Activities
• - Support the development of the National
  Commission for Quality Assurance and
  Accreditation
• - Define quality standards and minimum
  requirements for Accreditation
• - Define a system for Quality Assurance and
  Accreditation for universities and intermediate
  institutes
• - Define a system for Quality control of private
  institutions

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ACCREDITATION POLICY IN THE SYRIAN H.E.S.
ACCREDITATION FOR QA

• Will be Commissioned by a National Agency
• Will Ensure Quality Control (minimum
  standards), Accountability and Transparency,
  Quality Enhancement, Facilitates Student Mobility
• Will be Compulsory for Private Providers, Later
  for Public Providers

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(1) the functions of the National Commission for
Quality Assurance and Accreditation (14/4/2007)

• The national strategy for quality assurance and
  accreditation of educational programs and
  operational policies of this strategy
• Develop appropriate mechanisms to ensure the
  information society and concerned by the level of
  educational institutions and their ability to
  provide educational services in accordance with
  the stated message of each institution.
• Develop and update national standards for the
  quality of the educational process and programs
  and the various disciplines and the adoption of
  reference methods and comparisons of appropriate
  development in collaboration with the academic
  community and professional, and the adoption of
  the means of measurement that are compatible with
  the prevailing international standards

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(2) the functions of the National Commission for
Quality Assurance and Accreditation (14/4/2007(

• Develop a mechanism of credit and implementation
  stages
• Provide guidelines and advisory services to
  educational institutions and committees Calendar
  (self-evaluation guide is an example of this
  evidence)
• Development of selection criteria and training of
  the evaluation committees and internal and
  external points of arbitration and the rules
  governing their work.
• Selection and adoption of the evaluation
  committees and external bodies Arbitration local
  or foreign.

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(3) the functions of the National Commission for
Quality Assurance and Accreditation (14/4/2007(

• Calendar final preparation of reports and
  accreditation of educational institutions and
  known to the community on a regular basis.
• Or refuse to grant accreditation or to give a
  specific deadline for the reform of the failures.
• Establish cooperative relations with other
  bodies and organizations to ensure quality and
  reliance on international and Arab level with a
  view to mutual recognition, and networking with
  these bodies and organizations to exchange
  knowledge, experiences.
•  

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The National Commission for Quality Assurance and
Accreditation Objectives and Mission

• Raise the level of confidence of the community in
  the outcome of H.E
• Support the quality assurance and accreditation
  process in accordance with internal requirements
  of universities
• Review the H.E institutions through developmental
  engagements
• Enhance capacity building in quality assurance
• Facilitate the development and application of
  national reference standards for academic
  programs
• Integrate a sustainable process combining the
  institutions system for quality assurance with
  external processes for review and accreditation
• Support continuing quality improvement
• Cooperate regionally and internationally with
  similar agencies

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The current status of quality assurance and
accreditation in higher education system
The current governance structure for quality
assurance and accreditation in higher education
Higher Committee for Quality and Accreditation
Directorate of evaluation and accreditation
Directorate of private universities
Technical Committee for private universities
Q
DU
Q
AU
Council of Higher Education
Q
Public Universities
TU
Private Universities
Q
BU
Q
Centers for Quality
FU
Q

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Proposed structure for quality assurance and
accreditation in higher education system
National Commission for Quality Assurance and
Accreditation (NCQAA)
Center for evaluation and measurement
Council of Higher Education
Private Universities
Public Universities
Quality stations
Q

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Proposed structure for quality assurance and
accreditation in higher education system
National Commission for Quality Assurance and
Accreditation (NCQAA)
Center for evaluation and measurement
Supervisory Board (Board of Trustees) 
Minister of Higher Education   Chairman of the
Commission  assistant 2   6 professors
academics from public universities  
Representatives of the productive sectors
Department of Osteopathic Examination (national)
university graduates, non-Syrian equivalence
Tasks
Standards and rules of certification and
indicators
Department exam Graduates of the Syrian
universities
professional Office / technical
IT department
Department of foreign language examinations
department of accreditation standard
Evidence, guidelines and procedures
Department for training
Service to ensure the quality of academic
programs and academic standards of reference
Training and qualification of auditors
executive arm
Administrative Office
Director

• National Academic
• reference standards
• NARS

Finance Department
assistant Director
Department of Management of Quality Assurance
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Challenges

• Capacity building (human - institutional)
• Culture of quality and Accreditation?
• Lack of confidence in the ability to improve  
• Resistance to change
•     The predominance of temporary solutions to
  long-term solutions

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