Dr. Harini Methuku Scientific College of Design 1

 Specialized Art & Design College in Sultanate of Oman  Initiated in 2004  Majors offered:  Graphic Design Printing  Graphic Design Digital,  Interior Design,  Fine Arts,  Fashion Design (Arabic),  Photography,  Architecture,  Animation. 2

Scientific College of Design is committed to academic excellence, student centeredness, and offers art & design education through practical and theoretical knowledge in an engaging environment. 3

 Rationale SCD's top management belief on the importance of quality audit was the driving force behind our participation in the pilot study. 4

 Ministry of Higher Education’s annual reports helped SCD in understanding areas we have improved as well as areas on which SCD needed to focus for further improvement. 5

 Participation in the Pilot Study for Institutional Standards Assessment was a great experience in identifying strengths and weaknesses and was an asset in preparation for the real quality audit 6

 OAAA assisted SCD by giving a full day workshop to the SC.  OAAA designated an authorized person with whom SCD could communicate during the process for any clarifications/explanation.  OAAA sent matters for clarifications, planning visit agenda and ISA visit program schedule to SCD prior to Planning meeting. 7

 Spreading the "Quality Culture" was the first step to ensure dedication and participation from all employees in the self-study.  Initiation process because the 1 st audit report in 2009 revealed SCD lacked written policies and procedures, detailed plans, documentation, involving stakeholders.…  SCD initiated Steering Committee responsible for pilot study audit process. 8

 Quality Assurance & Enhancement Unit conducted presentations/workshops to faculty, staff and students on -  SCD policies, plans and procedures  Basic information on panel members  Guidelines for quality audit interviews  Selection of SCD faculty, staff, students, alumni, board of trustees, employers for interviews  Briefing Meeting to the interviewees 9

 Steering Committee (SC) comprised of 9 members (academic and non academic staff members) who were responsible for each standard.  QA&E unit developed a schedule and shared with the SC.  SC met periodically to evaluate and study the gap areas as per the 9 standards set by OAAA. 10

 SCD Steering Committee was expanded by forming subcommittee to identify:  Areas of strengths  Areas with on going improvements  Areas in need of new approach  Addressing the OAAA 2009 CAR (Commendations, Affirmations and Recommendations) and avoiding to repeat the same pitfalls were among the main goals of the SC. 11

 SC was asked to draft a write-up on the criterion they were working and send to the QA&E unit Head.  QA&E unit Head with the support of the Dean reviewed the submitted write-up.  SCD Dean reported to the Board of Directors, and Board of Trustees on the effectiveness and achievements during the process. 12

 Helped in identifying certain Standard and criterion which were “Not Applicable”.  Understand and give realistic rating against each criterion and for the overall standard.  Understand and get clarification on some of the misconceptions HEIs used to have on set standards.  Audit visit also gave SCD an insight on the importance of documenting each and every event. 13

 The preliminary check gave us more confidence as it gave us a clue that we were proceeding in the right direction.  It lead us to review our approaches, drop some or develop new ones.  It revealed approaches we had not foreseen earlier.  We overcame difficulties that the pilot study report revealed. 14

 Pilot study report helped to understand the immediate need to initiate certain new policies, procedures and plans.  The process helped to know additional evidences which could be submitted with the ISAA. 15

 It was an excellent experience to spread good practices and "Quality Culture" among SCD internal stakeholders from the Board of Trustee members to Freshman students.  SCD continued its effort and dedication following the same process of forming a Steering Committee, identifying areas to be addressed, drafting SCD portfolio, collection of evidences……  It has been a long journey from 2009 OAAA audit visit report to making changes as per OAAA Institutional Standards and making our self ready to the big challenge. 16

THANK YOU 17