Oman’s System of Quality Management for Higher Education S. Razvi, M. Carroll, T. Goodliffe, A. Al-Hasnawi & F. Al-Habsi For the Roundtable Meeting Malaysia 2009

Session Outline About the Sultanate of Oman Higher Education in Oman Entities with Quality Assurance Responsibilities Oman Accreditation Council National Quality Management System Conclusions

1. About the Sultanate of Oman

Where in the world is Oman?

2. Higher Education in Oman

Higher Ed History of Oman 1970s & 1980s Government colleges established, offering cert and diploma programs in the national priorities of health, teaching and technical skills. 1986: Sultan Qaboos University established, the first (and only) comprehensive university. 1990’s: Oman started importing higher education in earnest. 23 Private HEIs. 2006-9: Entering into a new phase: the establishment of a comprehensive system of quality assurance and quality enhancement.

Higher Ed Sector in Oman SQU (established by Royal Directives) Public HEIs (supervised by MoHE) Public Colleges of Technology (supervised by MoMP) Public Health Institutes (supervised by MoH) Defence Institutes (supervised by MoD). Private Universities and Colleges (supervised by MoHE)

3. Entities with Quality Assurance Responsibilities Higher Education Council Oman Accreditation Council Supervising Ministries Directorate General of Private Universities & Colleges Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) Affiliate Institutes

4. Oman Accreditation Council A governmental independent entity established to provide confidence to the public that the quality of higher education in Oman meets international standards, and to encourage continuous improvement in the management of the quality of higher education.

Oman Accreditation Council Established by Royal Decree in 2001. Responsible for: developing academic standards accrediting higher education institutions (HEIs) and programs maintaining the national qualifications framework (OQF) Led by a 10 member Board (all Omani), chaired by Dr Hamed Al-Dhahab. Supported by a (growing) staff nested within the Ministry of Higher Education

5. National Quality Management System A comprehensive and integrated system of quality assurance and quality enhancement designed to bring Oman towards international practice.

Quality Plan First iteration of standards and accreditation process was ROSQA, introduced 2004. In 2006, Draft Quality Plan developed (available at www.oac.gov.om). It proposes a significant overhaul of ROSQA, setting out a comprehensive system, OSQA, to align Oman’s HE sector with international best practice. Places equal emphasis on quality assurance and quality enhancement.

Elements of the Quality System Oman Qualifications Framework Oman Standard Classification for Education Framework (OSCED) Oman Institutional Classification Framework HEI Standards HEI Licensing HEI Quality Audit (Accreditation Stage 1) HEI Standards Assessment (Accreditation Stage 2) Program Standards Program Licensing Program Accreditation and Recognition Appeals

Provider QA Processes HEI Licensure HEI Accreditation Stage 1 : Quality Audit First cycle commencing 2008 4 years ≤4 years HEI Accreditation Certificate HEI Accreditation Stage 2 : Standards Assessment Appeal Met Met Not met 1-2 years on Probation Process Document Start/End KEY HEI Standards Reassessment HEI Accreditation Terminated Not met

Provider QA Processes STAGE 1: QUALITY AUDIT HEI Accreditation Stage 1 4 years ≤4 years HEI Accreditation Certificate HEI Accreditation Stage 2 : Standards Assessment Met STAGE 1: QUALITY AUDIT Self Study Quality Audit Portfolio Activities External Review Quality Audit Report External Review Activities

STAGE 2: STANDARDS ASSESSMENT Provider QA Processes HEI Accreditation Stage 1 : Quality Audit 4 years ≤4 years HEI Accreditation Certificate HEI Accreditation Stage 2 : Standards Assessment Met STAGE 2: STANDARDS ASSESSMENT Self Assessment Assessment Application Self Activities External Assessment Standards Assessment Report External Activities

Quality Audit Quality Audit is the first step in the Accreditation Process. A method of public accountability. A formative evaluation, which can be used to help set a Quality Improvement Plan for the HEI. Two Pilot Quality Audits took place 2008. Ten Quality Audits are currently under way. Twelve will be every year. The first cycle of HEI Quality Audits will be completed in 2013.

Program QA Processes

External Reviewers Register

Oman Quality Network & Training Program

Oman Quality Network Launched under patronage of H.E. Dr Rawya Saud Al Busaidia, Minister of Higher Education, on 20 September 2006. Controlled by an Executive Committee of Members which meets regularly. Supported by OAC and MOHE staff.

Oman Quality Network Responsible for: Organizing quality-related training for the sector based on the ‘train the trainer approach’ Training resources are available at www.oac.gov.om/enhancement/training Providing networking opportunities First National Quality Conference on “Quality Management and Enhancement in Higher Education” held in October 2008

Some Training Program Topics ADRI: A QA model for self reviews and external reviews A Conceptual Framework for Standards KPI: Managing data for knowledge Using Statistics in Reporting Good Documentation: policies, procedures and guidelines Preparing a Self Study Portfolio Good Teaching Process Mapping: a tool for quality improvement Benchmarking Strategic Planning Consulting Stakeholders Risk Management Getting the Most from Student Evaluations Maximising Student Learning Outcomes Quality Audits Curriculum Development Moderation of Assessment

6. Conclusions A new national quality management system has been developed. It is comprehensive and aligns Oman’s higher education system with international best practice. The new system places equal emphasis on quality assurance and quality enhancement.