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QUALTITY ASSURANCEThe Ministry of higher education in

Syria

THE ROUNDTABLE MEETING OF QUALTITY ASSURANCE AGENCIES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ISAMIC CONFERENCE MEMBER COUNTRIES ,13-15 NOVEMBER 2009

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introduction about ministry of higher education institutes

national policy for quality assurance Present situation Proposed structure for quality assurance and

accreditation Challenges

OUTLINE

Universities belong to the government

New colleges for the future universities

Private universities - / 15/

private universities under structure - /5/

The map for the higher education in Syria

The Higher Committeefor Q & Accreditation: the Mission

(Higher Council Decision 154,10/January/2005)• Setting up Self-assessment Methodologies and

Procedures• Setting up Quality Standards • Establishing Self Assessment units in Universities• Ensuring the Transition Phase Leading to the

Establishment of the QA&A Agency• Establishing Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Agency

The national framework for the advancement of quality of higher education

Integrated Model for QA

Transformation to Standard-based Ed

Standardization of Programs

777customers Labor market competitors

Corrective actions

DataData DataDataDataDataDataData

MonitoringINPUTSPROCESSES• students

• building and equipments

• teachers

•Administration

• finance

• academic programs

• research projects

• community service

Corrective action

OUTCOMES• graduates

•researches

•services

Mission

Goals

Expected

Outcomes Stakeholders

• Achieve the mission

•Achieve the Objectives

•Customer satisfaction

Towards an Integrated Model for QA

Determine levels and their relationship to the National Academy of occupations and characterization of these professions

Is a reference guide for the field specialist allows the academic community as the nature of the academic programs and standards related to the field specialist

Subject Benchmark Statement

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

Progress Files of the Student

Program Specifications

On the

national

levelN. Qualification

Framework

Hierarchical shift towards standards

On the level of

the universities

and programs

A set of standard information provided by each institution for each academic program Among academic knowledge and concepts and skills required by Graduate

In accordance with the specifications of the program and educational outcomes targeted

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The methodology used in the transition

phase one: Top-down Approach Preparation of universities to change Create a critical mass for change Create an environment and culture enthusiasm to change

phase two: Bottom – up Approach Strengthen the independence of universities The creation of institutional commitment to change and link the needs

of each institution Building the necessary capacity in each institution according to their

needs

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• 23/July/2006 create Directorate of evaluation and accreditation in the Ministry• 11/September/2007 The formation of the Technical Committee for private universities• 26/November/2007 Making rules for Academic Accreditation and technical assistance to private universities and the conditions and cancellation •11/February/2008 establish a Center to quality assurance in all University  

Foundation for making a quality assurance system

Upgrading the Higher Education System in Syria (UHES)

(The Quality Component) - - ““Support to the Development and Monitoring Support to the Development and Monitoring

of a Quality Assurance System for Higher of a Quality Assurance System for Higher Education in SyriaEducation in Syria””

- Main Activities:- Main Activities: - Support the development of the National Commission for

Quality Assurance and Accreditation; - Define quality standards and minimum requirements for

Accreditation - Define a system for Quality Assurance and Accreditation for

universities and intermediate institutes - Define a system for Quality control of private institutions

The EU Vector

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• Will be Commissioned by a National Agency• Will Ensure Quality Control (minimum standards), Accountability and Transparency, Quality Enhancement, Facilitates Student Mobility• Will be Compulsory for Private Providers, Later for Public Providers

ACCREDITATION POLICY IN THE SYRIAN H.E.S.

ACCREDITATION FOR QA

• The national strategy for quality assurance and accreditation of educational programs and operational policies of this strategy

• Develop appropriate mechanisms to ensure the information society and concerned by the level of educational institutions and their ability to provide educational services in accordance with the stated message of each institution.

• Develop and update national standards for the quality of the educational process and programs and the various disciplines and the adoption of reference methods and comparisons of appropriate development in collaboration with the academic community and professional, and the adoption of the means of measurement that are compatible with the prevailing international standards

)1:( the functions of the National Commission for Quality Assurance and Accreditation (14/4/2007)

• Develop a mechanism of credit and implementation stages

• Provide guidelines and advisory services to educational institutions and committees Calendar (self-evaluation guide is an example of this evidence)

• Development of selection criteria and training of the evaluation committees and internal and external points of arbitration and the rules governing their work.

• Selection and adoption of the evaluation committees and external bodies Arbitration local or foreign.

(2): the functions of the National Commission for Quality Assurance and Accreditation (14/4/2007(

• Calendar final preparation of reports and accreditation of educational institutions and known to the community on a regular basis.

•Or refuse to grant accreditation or to give a specific deadline for the reform of the failures.

• Establish cooperative relations with other bodies and organizations to ensure quality and reliance on international and Arab level with a view to mutual recognition, and networking with these bodies and organizations to exchange knowledge, experiences.

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(3) the functions of the National Commission for Quality Assurance and Accreditation (14/4/2007(

• Raise the level of confidence of the community in the outcome of H.E

• Support the quality assurance and accreditation process in accordance with internal requirements of universities

• Review the H.E institutions through developmental engagements

• Enhance capacity building in quality assurance• Facilitate the development and application of national

reference standards for academic programs• Integrate a sustainable process combining the institution’s

system for quality assurance with external processes for review and accreditation

• Support continuing quality improvement• Cooperate regionally and internationally with similar agencies

The National Commission for Quality Assurance and Accreditation: Objectives and Mission

The current status of quality assurance and accreditation in higher education system

DU

AU

TU

BU

FU

Q

Q

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Q

Q

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PU1 Q

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PU1

PU1 Q

PU1

PU1

Higher Committee for Quality and Accreditation

Directorate of evaluation

and accreditation

The current governance structure for quality assurance and accreditation in higher education

Directorate of private universities

Technical Committee for private universities

QCenters for

Quality

Council of Higher Education

Proposed structure for quality assurance and accreditation in higher education system

PU1 Q DU

AU

TU

BU

FU

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

PU2

PU3 Q

PU4

PU5

Center for Quality

Improvement

National Commission for Quality Assurance

and Accreditation(NCQAA)

Center for evaluation and measurement

Council of Higher

Education

Publ

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rsiti

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QQuality stations

Priv

ate

Uni

vers

ities

Proposed structure for quality assurance and accreditation in higher education system

National Commission for Quality Assurance and

Accreditation (NCQAA)

Center for evaluation and measurement

Department of Osteopathic Examination (national) university graduates, non-Syrian equivalence

Department exam Graduates of the Syrian

universities Department of foreign language examinations

Supervisory Board (Board of Trustees)

  Minister of Higher Education   Chairman of the Commission

 assistant 2   6 professors academics from

public universities   Representatives of the

productive sectors

executive arm Director

assistant Director

professional Office / technical IT department

department of accreditation standard

Department for training

Service to ensure the quality of academic programs and academic standards of reference

Administrative Office Finance Department

Department of Management of Quality Assurance

Tasks

Evidence, guidelines

and procedures

Standards and rules of certification

and indicators

National Academicreference

standards NARS

Training and qualification of auditors

Center for Quality

Improvement

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Capacity building (human - institutional) Culture of quality and Accreditation?

Lack of confidence in the ability to improve  

Resistance to change

    The predominance of temporary solutions to long-term solutions

Challenges