15 December 2010
MUSCAT - The Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) yesterday published the Quality Audit Reports of Sohar College of Applied Sciences and Al Zahra College for Women on its website (www.oac.gov.om).
The Quality Audit Report of Sohar College of Applied Sciences is the 13th published report while Al Zahra College for Women is accredited the 14th Quality Audit Report.
The OAAA, established by Royal Decree No 54/2010, is Oman's national body responsible for the external quality assurance and quality enhancement of all public and private sector higher education institutions and programmes in Oman.
The Quality Audit is the first stage in Oman's cyclical two-stage process for institutional accreditation. The purpose of Quality Audit is to provide both a level of assurance to the public and constructive feedback to the higher education institutions for further improvement.
The Quality Audit process began with two comprehensive studies conducted by both colleges that covered nine key areas of their activities including Governance and Management; Student Learning by Coursework Programmes; Academic Support Services and Student Support Services. The comprehensive studies came up with a separate portfolio for each college; Sohar College of Applied Sciences submitted its portfolio in October 2009 and Al Zahra College for Women submitted its portfolio in December 2009.
To conduct the Quality Audit, two review panels were convened including reviewers selected from the OAAA and international eminent experts. The panel of Sohar College of Applied Sciences was chaired by Prof Judyth Sachs from Macquarie University, Australia, and included Dr Phil Cardew from London South Bank University, UK; Robert Carmichael from Australian Universities Quality Agency, Australia; Dr Ahmed al Balushi from Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman and Dr Sally Vale, Higher Education Consultant, Oman.
The second panel convened for Al Zahra College for Women was chaired by Dr Anne Martin, Higher Education Consultant, Australia, and included Prof Martin Henson, University of Essex, UK, Dr Wafa al Mansoori, Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training, Bahrain, Dr Sebti Kerbal from Sultan Qaboos University, Oman and Dr Maha Kobeil from Majan College, Oman while the Executive Officer for both audits was Tess Goodliffe.
Prior to the visit to Sohar College of Applied Sciences, the panel met formally on November 25, 2009 and the other panel met at Al Zahra College for Women on January 23, 2010 to report on their preliminary findings following examination of the portfolios and supporting materials submitted by the colleges.
Moreover, the audit field visit to Sohar College of Applied Sciences took place during February 21-23, 2010 in which the reviewers spoke to more than 100 people in the college. Similarly, Al Zahra College for Women received the audit visit during March 21-23, 2010. The reviewers during their visit to the college spoke to more than 90 people including governing authorities and management, staff, students and external stakeholders. They also visited different venues and considered a range of additional materials.
The two Audit Reports contain a summary of the panels' findings, together with formal commendations that confirmed good practices and affirmations that supported the ongoing efforts of quality improvement in both colleges. The reports also revealed the recommendations which reflected the significant opportunities for improvement adequately addressed by the colleges. These reports aim at providing a balanced set of observations, but do not comment on every issue or system in the colleges.
MUSCAT - The Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) yesterday published the Quality Audit Reports of Sohar College of Applied Sciences and Al Zahra College for Women on its website (www.oac.gov.om).
The Quality Audit Report of Sohar College of Applied Sciences is the 13th published report while Al Zahra College for Women is accredited the 14th Quality Audit Report.
The OAAA, established by Royal Decree No 54/2010, is Oman's national body responsible for the external quality assurance and quality enhancement of all public and private sector higher education institutions and programmes in Oman.
The Quality Audit is the first stage in Oman's cyclical two-stage process for institutional accreditation. The purpose of Quality Audit is to provide both a level of assurance to the public and constructive feedback to the higher education institutions for further improvement.
The Quality Audit process began with two comprehensive studies conducted by both colleges that covered nine key areas of their activities including Governance and Management; Student Learning by Coursework Programmes; Academic Support Services and Student Support Services. The comprehensive studies came up with a separate portfolio for each college; Sohar College of Applied Sciences submitted its portfolio in October 2009 and Al Zahra College for Women submitted its portfolio in December 2009.
To conduct the Quality Audit, two review panels were convened including reviewers selected from the OAAA and international eminent experts. The panel of Sohar College of Applied Sciences was chaired by Prof Judyth Sachs from Macquarie University, Australia, and included Dr Phil Cardew from London South Bank University, UK; Robert Carmichael from Australian Universities Quality Agency, Australia; Dr Ahmed al Balushi from Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman and Dr Sally Vale, Higher Education Consultant, Oman.
The second panel convened for Al Zahra College for Women was chaired by Dr Anne Martin, Higher Education Consultant, Australia, and included Prof Martin Henson, University of Essex, UK, Dr Wafa al Mansoori, Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training, Bahrain, Dr Sebti Kerbal from Sultan Qaboos University, Oman and Dr Maha Kobeil from Majan College, Oman while the Executive Officer for both audits was Tess Goodliffe.
Prior to the visit to Sohar College of Applied Sciences, the panel met formally on November 25, 2009 and the other panel met at Al Zahra College for Women on January 23, 2010 to report on their preliminary findings following examination of the portfolios and supporting materials submitted by the colleges.
Moreover, the audit field visit to Sohar College of Applied Sciences took place during February 21-23, 2010 in which the reviewers spoke to more than 100 people in the college. Similarly, Al Zahra College for Women received the audit visit during March 21-23, 2010. The reviewers during their visit to the college spoke to more than 90 people including governing authorities and management, staff, students and external stakeholders. They also visited different venues and considered a range of additional materials.
The two Audit Reports contain a summary of the panels' findings, together with formal commendations that confirmed good practices and affirmations that supported the ongoing efforts of quality improvement in both colleges. The reports also revealed the recommendations which reflected the significant opportunities for improvement adequately addressed by the colleges. These reports aim at providing a balanced set of observations, but do not comment on every issue or system in the colleges.
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
