11 March 2008
MUSCAT -- The official launching of the 'Oman Accreditation Council's (OAC) Quality Audit Manual -- Institutional Accreditation Stage 1', which took place under the auspices of Dr Rawya bint Saud al Busaidiya, Minister of Higher Education, is a definitive step in the Sultanate's constant endeavour to further develop and improve upon the country's academic, educational and knowledge-based institutions. The launching took place at the Muscat Holiday Inn, in Al Khuwair, yesterday.
The manual sets out the process by which all of Oman's institutions, providing diploma and degree programs, will be externally reviewed. In this respect and in order to generally raise the standard of these institutions to become at, or above, par with those recognised internationally, the minister and Dr Hamed bin Hashim al Dhahab, Chairman of the Board, OAC, highlighted the important aspects incorporated in the Quality Audit Manual.
"I congratulate the Accreditation Council on publishing this important document. Its flexible design means that the review process can be applied with equal effectiveness to institutions with different types of mission, programmes and students. This diversity is essential in responding to our nation's wide range of educational needs", stated Dr Rawya. She noted that the manual "clearly supports the vision of a quality-conscious higher education sector. I am particularly pleased at the way in which the quality audit system focuses not only on plans, processes and results, but also emphasises each institution's ongoing quality improvement efforts."
The manual was prepared through extensive international benchmarking and local consultation. The resulting quality audit system has been specifically customised for the Omani context. The first quality audits will take place later this year and the resulting audit reports will be made public. Dr Rawya was presented with the first copy of the manual. Alia bint Mohammed al Rawahi, Dean, Institute of Health Sciences and Executive Member of the Oman Quality Network, also gave an address on the occasion, which was followed up by an international promotional video.
MUSCAT -- The official launching of the 'Oman Accreditation Council's (OAC) Quality Audit Manual -- Institutional Accreditation Stage 1', which took place under the auspices of Dr Rawya bint Saud al Busaidiya, Minister of Higher Education, is a definitive step in the Sultanate's constant endeavour to further develop and improve upon the country's academic, educational and knowledge-based institutions. The launching took place at the Muscat Holiday Inn, in Al Khuwair, yesterday.
The manual sets out the process by which all of Oman's institutions, providing diploma and degree programs, will be externally reviewed. In this respect and in order to generally raise the standard of these institutions to become at, or above, par with those recognised internationally, the minister and Dr Hamed bin Hashim al Dhahab, Chairman of the Board, OAC, highlighted the important aspects incorporated in the Quality Audit Manual.
"I congratulate the Accreditation Council on publishing this important document. Its flexible design means that the review process can be applied with equal effectiveness to institutions with different types of mission, programmes and students. This diversity is essential in responding to our nation's wide range of educational needs", stated Dr Rawya. She noted that the manual "clearly supports the vision of a quality-conscious higher education sector. I am particularly pleased at the way in which the quality audit system focuses not only on plans, processes and results, but also emphasises each institution's ongoing quality improvement efforts."
The manual was prepared through extensive international benchmarking and local consultation. The resulting quality audit system has been specifically customised for the Omani context. The first quality audits will take place later this year and the resulting audit reports will be made public. Dr Rawya was presented with the first copy of the manual. Alia bint Mohammed al Rawahi, Dean, Institute of Health Sciences and Executive Member of the Oman Quality Network, also gave an address on the occasion, which was followed up by an international promotional video.
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
