The Role of the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation (NAQAAE) in Egyptian Education   The National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education, Egypt www.Naqaae.org.eg

Background  NAQAAE is the accrediting body for all Egyptian educational institutions (higher education, pre- university, and Al-Azhar education) (about 55,000) NAQAAE was established in 2007 by a Presidential Decree. The Board is formed of a President, three Vice- Presidents and eleven board members selected from educational experts, businessmen and entrepreneurs The main goal is to support Egyptian educational institutes by fostering their quality assurance practices

VISION “An internationally recognized accrediting body, known for its fair and objective decisions, its leadership in quality assurance, and excellence at national, regional and international levels, while maintaining its Egyptian identity”

MISSION “To assure the quality of education institutions, continuous improvement and efficient performance consistent with their mission statement and objectives, as well as insuring public confidence through independent, impartial and transparent operations”

To establish an integrated system for accreditation Objectives To raise awareness of educational quality assurance among the Egyptian Academic Institutes and the Egyptian Society To establish an integrated system for accreditation To set up educational standards and performance assessment indicators. To support the Egyptian Educational Institutions in their preparation of self assessment To assert confidence and establish accountability in the educational outcomes

Volume of Higher Education 18 G. Universities ( 325 faculties) Al-Azhar University (68 faculties) 18 Private Universities (72 faculties) Higher education institutes (100) 4 million students

Conceptual Framework Responds to global changes. Reflects the country’s development plans, market needs and employment expectation. Co-operation with regional and international agenesis to reach a mutual recognition. Cooperation with the stakeholders to set the standards of accreditation. Acknowledgment of academic freedom. Provides impartial technical support without interfering with institutional QA process. Evaluation is based on assessment of learning outcomes.

Introducing important concepts in QA of HE: Accountability Student- centered education Learning rather than Teaching Academic Integrity Career guidance Life long learning and learning how to learn

important concepts in QA-continued Feed back – based improvement Outcome- based assessment Continues reviewing of programs and courses Innovation in teaching and learning strategies Imbedding Entrepreneurship and commercia- lization of knowledge in programs and courses Alignment of: graduate attributes - academic standards- learning objectives and outcomes - teaching and learning - student assessment

NAQAAE’s executive plan Phase I: Setting the standards of accreditation and education improvement in cooperation with stakeholders (1 year) Phase II: Provide the technical support for educational Institutions (continuous) Phase III: Accrediting Educational Institutions (continuous)

Accreditation schemes Institutional accreditation (Faculties) University accreditation Program E. Learning programs

Standards for Institutional Accreditation Higher education Pre- university education “ hhhh Institutional Assessment (Faculties): Institutional Capacity: Strategic Planning Organizational Structure Leadership &Governance Creditability & Ethics Administration. Resources Community Participation Quality systems management. Educational Effectiveness: Students & Graduates. Academic Standards. Educational Program. Teaching, Learning, & Resources. Academic Staff. Scientific Research . Post-Graduate Studies. Continuous Assessment. Institutional Assessment (school): Institutional Capacity 1. Vision & mission 2. Governance 3. Human & Financial Resource 4. Community Participation 5. QA & Accountability Educational Effectiveness 1. Student achievements 2. Teacher qualifications 3. Academic Curriculum 4. Educational Environment

Program Accreditation Outcome based assessment. Based on evaluating two main areas: - Program management - Educational effectiveness

Standards for Program Accreditation Program management Mission and objectives Leadership Financial & physical resources Educational Effectiveness 1. Program Structure 2. Teaching and Learning 3. Academic Staff 4. Assessment of Learning Outcomes 5. Program Development & Enhancement 6. Indicators of Success E. Learning program : Institutional Capacity: Program management Human, financial & physical resources Educational Effectiveness: Program structure Teaching and learning Students Self- assessment and continuous development “

Standards for University Accreditation Strategic planning Governing policies & its impact Performance assessment and sustainable development To ensure: Sustainable development Improvement of Universities ranking

Supporting Guidelines National Academic Reference Standards (NARS): Describes the minimum requirements to accomplish a certain program. It includes graduate attributes and characterizes knowledge and understanding, as well as professional, intellectual and transferable skills NORMS: Resources (human, library, teaching facilities & physical resources) Code of practice (accreditation standards)

The National Academic Reference Standards 1 Reforming Educational Programs and courses 2 Determining the Intended Learning Outcomes 3 Improving graduates competencies and competitiveness

Code of Practice 1 Improving institutional capacity and educational practices 2 Improving the Internal Quality System 3 Accreditation

Towards Accreditation Pre-accreditation phase (Technical support) by NAQAAE’s team Accreditation phase by NAQAAE’s reviewers

Pre-accreditation phase (2 types of visits) An optional process for gap analysis Simulate and encourage the accreditation visit. Confidential report No decision

Pre-accreditation visits (2 types) Self-study report Gap analysis Improvement plan

Accreditation Process (9 months) Institution self-study Reviewing team (4 reviewers ) Institution visit (3-5 days) Report draft Sending the report to the institution for feedback NAQAAE Decision

Accreditation Decisions Accredited: When the institute fulfills most of the standards of accreditation. Not – Accredited: When the institute doesn’t fulfill most of the standards of accreditation. Postponed: When it doesn’t fulfill some of the standards of accreditation (except Educational effectiveness standards ).

International Cooperation NAQAAE have channels of communications with national, regional and international accreditation entities: Mutual recognition / alliance with ABET, JABEE Cooperation with QAA (UK) and SQA Acquiring membership of Arab, African and international networks for external reviewing and accrediting agencies

Accreditation Status to Date

Faculties

Thank you Questions?