Patterns of Education and Related Quality Standards 6th Annua… · Minister for Economic Affairs HE Mr. Abdullah Dardari, the “Excellence in Business Education”. The Conference,

10-11 December 2014

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Patterns of Education and Related Quality Standards

AROQA 6th Annual conference

AROQA 6th Annual conference AROQA 6th Annual conference

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Towards Enhancing the Quality of Education in the Arab region

Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education

Recent technological advances have created a new paradigm for higher education worldwide. New concepts and enhancement theories of education have been introduced to meet expanding technological, sociological and political requirements. These theories established a basis for quality standards, diversified learning, digital education, technological innovation, and knowledge creation.

In order to develop a comprehensive education policy that harnesses the advantages of technology, technology must become a central tool in educational institutions. Education is characterized as a key element and a significant resource for economic development, technological innovation, and knowledge creation. Educational institutions, particularly in the Arab region, have witnessed major developments such as the rise in the number of universities and students, the private sector’s investment in higher education; in addition to the emergence of new types of education such as Open Education and Distance Learning.

The institutions began to realize the importance of the development and implementation of accreditation procedures and quality assurance methods in preparing active citizens with high levels of knowledge, competencies and skills for the working field.

Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education AROQA is a non-profit independent association established in Belgium in July 2007. AROQA’s fundamental objective is enhancing the quality of education in the Arab world through developing quality assurance systems, creating awareness, supporting adoption of standards and best practice models of education, sharing experiences and dissemination of information.

Vision Pan-Arab quality assurance and accreditation activities in education by contributing to academic excellence and innovation, raising educational relevance, and improving instructional quality to boost universities within the Arab world to rank amongst the world’s top institutions.

Mission To actively contribute to improving quality of education in the Arab world through providing quality assurance review, qualification and capacity building services as well as disseminating good practices in the field of quality assurance, in collaboration with Arab, regional and international organizations working in the field of educational quality assurance.

For more information, please refer to the website of the organization: www.aroqa.org


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The Importance of AROQA’s Annual Conference

The importance of AROQA annual conferences arise from our sense of responsibility towards the future of education in the Arab world. Such a future requires us to raise the level of awareness among Arab educational institutions on the importance of accreditation and quality assurance, and work together towards building and enhancing the Pan-Arab educational systems and structures.

The conference also aims to discuss Arab and international cooperation efforts to improve the quality of education, meet the challenges facing the implementation of quality assurance systems in education, discuss approaches available to overcome these challenges, and to expand active participation and cooperation between the Arab accreditation bodies. The conference is also a place, where researchers and specialists meet to discuss the themes of the conference, exchange experiences and come up with recommendations and decisions for enhancing region-wide quality status and promoting innovative research.Below summery of the previous conferences:

Fifth Annual Conference 2013: Implementing Quality Systems Using Innovative Technological Methods

Under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the presidency of Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh , the fifth annual conference was inaugurated in Tunis

during 12-13 December 2013, with the participation of League of Arab States , world bank, academics and experts, researchers and representatives of specialized international bodies.

AROQA 2013 has set among its priorities, the development of pan-Arab quality systems and accreditation, coordination with national quality assurance and accreditation commissions in the Arab countries, and enhancement of cooperation with international organizations in a wide range of activities.


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The following represent the main conclusions:• To continue a dialogue and cooperation between education institutions and accrediting bodies and quality organizations to

consolidate the concepts of quality and accreditation at the Arab regional level• There is an urgent need to promote a culture of quality and certification systems and improve the quality of education in the Arab

educational institutions• There is a need for continuous dialogue and continuous deployment of best practices related to quality in education• Support initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of education and work on further studies and research related to quality and

accreditation• Promote sustainable cooperation among educational institutions and bodies of quality and accreditation and launch programs

to promote joint research that addresses quality and accreditation• Strengthen the role of the Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the Arab Organization for Education , Science and Culture

and the Union of Arab Universities and the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education and coordination among these institutions to work to support the establishment of a comprehensive system of a pan-Arab quality initiative

• Identify common priorities of quality and accreditation in Arab educational institutions- Develop action plans to establish a pan• Arab educational space to promote educational exchanges and academic recognition• Create the environment and conditions for the establishment of an independent Arab accreditation body recognized in the Arab

region and without any dependency on any legal or legislative or executive of any government or union


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The 4th Annual Conference 2012:(Methods for Consensus and Common Standards for Quality Assurance and Academic Accreditation in Arab Universities)

Under the patronage of the League of Arab States Secretary General Dr. Nabil El Arabi and the presidency of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh the 4th annual Conference of the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education (AROQA) was inaugurated at the Smart Village, Cairo. The Conference was organized in cooperation with the League of Arab States /Social Affairs Sector - Education and Scientific Research, National Quality and accreditation agencies in the Arab region, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization and the Association of Arab Universities.

This conference aimed to expand cooperation among Arab universities and to find methods of consensus and common standards for quality assurance in education and academic accreditation between them, the Board of Directors have recommended the coordination and participation of the Arab QA and accreditation bodies in the 4th annual conference during their meeting that was held on 16-6-2011 parallel to the third Annual Conference in Cardiff, Wales –UK, and it was agreed to hold the 4th annual conference at the League of Arab States in 2012.

Academics, policy leaders, representatives of quality assurance and accreditation agencies and quality experts in the conference will discuss methods for consensus and common standards for quality assurance and accreditation, and pedagogical concerns in educational institutions. The theme of the conference will focus on developing new learning models, accreditation systems, and capacity building.


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The conference had to achieve the following objectives:• To raise awareness among policy makers about proper means and standards for quality assurance systems and standards for

accreditation in educational institutions, and find consensus between them.• To explore international and regional cooperation for improved quality in education• To raise awareness about world standards and procedures necessary to obtain accreditations.• To address challenges that hinders the implementation of quality assurance systems in education and discuss ways to overcome

these challenges• To identify trends and best practices for quality assurance in education and discuss cooperation venues to seek implementation• Expansion of active participation and cooperation between Arab accreditation bodies.

The 3rd Annual Conference 2011: (Towards harnessing the quality in education and research: challenges and opportunities)

The 3rd annual Conference of the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education (AROQA) was inaugurated under its chair HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh at the University of Wales in the presence of the representatives of 16 Arab countries, the European Union and the United States.

The conference focused on standards and guidelines for quality assurance and accreditation in education, challenges and opportunities of quality assurances systems and frameworks, best-practices, implementation strategies, and policies of quality assurance in education, quality management systems with ICT tools, national networks promoting quality assurance and accreditation standards, and program design and curricula methodologies emphasizing student-centric learning outcomes; modes of delivery; and pedagogical models.


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Consequently, the AROQA Board of Directors held a meeting, under the theme “Quality Management in Education and Scientific Research” and developed a “road map” for achieving the aspired objectives.

The 2nd Annual Conference 2010: (New Trends in Business Education)

The 2nd Annual Conference of the AROQA entitled “New Trends in Business Education” was held in collaboration with the College of Business Administration at Kuwait University, E-City for King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), Hala February Festival 2010, Kuwait Association for Human Resource Development (Erteqaa), and the Arab Society of Faculties of Business Administration.

The two-day event held at the Kuwait University, under the patronage of her Excellency Dr. Moudhi Al-Humoud, Kuwaiti Minister of Education and Higher Education focused on the global new trends in business education, including the importance of improving the contents of business education, adopting new educational methods that respond to the changing needs of business institutions and preparing a generation of business leaders for the increasingly more complex, connected and competitive environments.

The conference sessions included: Ethics Education in Business Schools, Information and Communication Technologies and Business Education, Bringing the Real World into Teaching and Learning, and Aligning Management Education and Research with the Ever-changing Needs of Organizations and Economy.


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A pre-conference workshop entitled “Case Teaching Workshop” was conducted in cooperation with ecch –UK to train participants on the use of case studies in teaching and attendees will enjoy a comprehensive exhibition with the participation of publishing houses, educational material companies, media, libraries, and educational and business institutions.

This conference gave the participants including academics and leaders the opportunity to contribute in guiding and formulating future developments for business education in the Arab world.

First Annual Conference 2009: (Excellence in Business Education)

The Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education organized, under the patronage of the Syrian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs HE Mr. Abdullah Dardari, the “Excellence in Business Education”. The Conference, held in cooperation with Damascus University and the Arab Society of Faculties of Business Administration, was attended by Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, AROQA chairman with high ranking officials and academics in Syria.

The Conference discussed issues related to the quality in business education; identifying a clear path to assessing quality in business administration education; fostering internal quality in management education.

In addition, quality of business education in faculties of business in the Arab world and the managerial relevance in business education and research were among the topics tackled in the event.

This conference provided the academics and leaders the opportunity to discuss and contribute in developing the business education in the Arab region.


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The 6th annual conference 2014 : (Patterns of Education and related quality standards)After the emergence of new patterns of education in the world such as Open / digital education / virtual & e-learning, it became necessary to identify these patterns and recognize the related quality standards to monitor and control them, especially with the widespread use of information and communication technologies in the educational institutions. Therefore, during the general assembly meeting that was held in Tunis in 12 December 2013 with the fifth annual conference, it was recommended to spread awareness around these patterns and work on the development of quality standards for e-learning, highlight successful cases, and identify challenges facing them to achieve the best standards and apply quality management systems. It was also decided to hold the sixth Annual Conference and the next meeting in the Sultanate of Oman.

Conference ObjectivesAcademics, rapporteurs and representatives of quality assurance and accreditation bodies, quality experts and participants will discuss the new patterns of education, the mechanisms of applying related quality standards, development of an educational models and successful adoption of systems to ensure the quality of education.

For this purpose, the conference aims to raise awareness about the quality assurance systems and mechanisms to enforce accreditation standards in educational institutions, raising awareness about global standards and procedures required to obtain accreditation including all patterns of education, in addition to encounter the challenges that hinder the implementation of quality assurance systems in education, and find ways to overcome these challenges.

Conference StructureThe conference will be a great opportunity for researchers, professionals, and policy makers to contribute, reflect and develop. The conference entails an invaluable gathering of researchers, academics, technicians, specialists and experts in one place in a productive setting. It will be held in conjunction

with a major conference on e-Infrastructures organized by the Arab States Research and Education Network (http://eage2014.asrenorg.net), with more than 200 expected participants.

There will be an active participation of decision-makers from governments, institutions, academia, non-governmental organizations and civil society institutions. These key individuals will work together and help provide a platform from which they can motivate and encourage partnerships as well as exchange recommendations and experiences. They will aim at raising awareness on the new patterns of education and related quality standards.

The conference will focus on providing adequate opportunities for interaction and discussion among guests on one hand, and with speakers on the other. This will be done through:• Keynote Speeches• Discussion sessions and displaying standards and basics in

accreditation and quality in education• Meetings and specialized consultative sessions• Workshops and presentation of successful national

expertise in Quality of education

Participants• Accreditation bodies and national quality assurance in the

Arab countries• Representatives of Arab universities and the researchers• Representatives of the Ministers of Education in the Arab

countries• Experts of quality and accreditation from the European

Commission and North America• Experts of the UNESCO• Experts of ALECSO• The Arabic Network for QA in higher education bodies• Association of Arab Universities , and Arab Research Councils• Civil society institutions and organizations concerned with

education


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Themes and topicsThe conference will focus mainly on the patterns of education and related quality standards, themes that will be discussed: • Open Education, Digital Education / virtual & e-learning • Methods of quality management evaluation in virtual and

open educational institutions.• Arab educational space and its impact on the unification of

academic qualifications and accreditation models• Quality management models in higher education• Challenges facing the implementation of quality assurances

& accreditation systems in the educational institutions that provide several patterns of education.

SpeakersThe speakers at the Forum will be experts and international professionals through presentations and participation in panel discussions around the latest developments in academic accreditation, quality assurance and their applications. Also, there will be a number of experts and directors of national accreditation bodies, researchers and policy makers at both the Arab and international levels.

Call for papersPaper contributions are accepted in Arabic or English. Papers should be submitted with no more than 8 to 10 papers, and no more than 8000 words. Each paper should include:• Abstract with no more than 500 words and 7 keywords

that refers to the key subjects and concepts that have been developed in the paper

• Author(s) biography: First name, Last name, Institution, Full address, Fax, Email, and short CV.

Papers should be sent in Word format to: [email protected] before 1 August 2014. After submission all contributions will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee to evaluate the pertinence of each submitted paper and the authors will be informed whether their contribution has been selected for presentation at the conference.

For more information, please contact:Wala’aa Abu Saleem : [email protected]: 0096265100250, Extension: 4303

Important dates:

Registration fees:Authors (Members \ Non- Members) 50 EURO

Attendance :AROQAE Members 75 EUROAROQAE non-members 150 EURO

Scientific Committee• Dr. Salem Al-Agtash, German Jordanian University, Arab

Organization for Quality Assurance in Education• Dr. Elias M. Choueiri, President of LAPS (Lebanon), and

Member of WSO’s Board of Directors (USA)• Dr. Majed Elfarra, Islamic University of Gaza- Palestine• Dr. Shadia Makhlouf, Al Quds Open University, Palestine• Dr. Amjad Fahoum, Yarmouk University, Jordan• Dr. Abdalla Abdalla, German Jordanian University- TAGSB,

Jordan• Dr. Jomana Amara, Defense Resources Management

Institute, Naval Post Graduate School, USA• Dr. Diala Qammoh, vice president for academic affairs,

TAGIUNI• Dr. Abdulrahman Mustafa Ibrahim, Sudan University of

Science and Technology-Sudan

Organizing committee:• Dr. Salem Al-Agtash, German Jordanian University, Arab

Organization for Quality Assurance in Education.• Mr. Majdi Al Abiad, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization -

Oman Office.• Sara Aleisawi, Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in

Education.• Ms. Maison Qowar, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization -Oman

Office.

August 1, 2014 Submission deadlineSeptember 1, 2014 Notification of acceptance

November 10, 2014 Camera ready due, deadline for registration

December 10-11 , 2014 Conference


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• Mr. Ali Al Reiami, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization - Oman Office.

• Wala’aa Abu Saleem , Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education.

Marketing and MediaThe marketing for the conference will be through the dissemination of information by all available means, especially electronic ones, and a dedicated website will be done for the conference. Also, the announcement of the conference will be through the websites of the parties involved in the preparation of this forum and through specialized email groups available at the organization and the partners.

Supporting entities and sponsors• Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education• League of Arab States

• ALECSO• National quality assurance and accreditation bodies• USAID• Institutions supporting scientific research and education• Universities and educational institutions• non-governmental organizations and communities• Private sector: Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, publishing

enterprises - Pearson, and international companies such as Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, and Oracle

Organizers • Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education• League of Arab States • Quality & accreditation bodies in the Arab region• Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization• German Jordanian University• Association of Arab Universities

OmanOman is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Sumerian tablets refer to a country called Magan a name believed to refer to Oman›s ancient copper mines. It has a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. In Oman many sites filled with historical buildings like: Sur, Salalah, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Bani Bu Hassan, Al-Qabel, Ibra, Mudhaibi, Nazwa, Al-Hamra, Manah and Birkat Al-Mouz.

ContactsArab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education

Sara Aleisawi: [email protected]’aa Abu Saleem : [email protected]

Phone: +962-6-5100250 Extentions: 2403 / 4303

Documents

Patterns of Education and Related Quality Standards 6th Annua… · Minister for Economic Affairs HE Mr. Abdullah Dardari, the “Excellence in Business Education”. The Conference,