Briefing for Institutional Standards Review and Revision Project 15 May 2011

1. Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) Briefing forInstitutional Standards Review and Revision Project15 May 2011

2. Briefing Outline OAAA • Background • Institutional Standards Review and Revision Project Overview • Process • Role of the Consultative Committee • Next steps • Summary

3. OAAA Background

4. Background (1) OAAA • First iteration of standards and accreditation process was Requirements for Oman’s System of Quality Assurance (ROSQA), introduced 2004 based on an international model. • In 2004/2005 two HEIs went through the accreditation process. • The results of these and initial feedback from the sector suggested that a review of the approach was necessary. • A review was carried out in 2006 and the outcomes suggested that the sector needed support to meet internationally-benchmarked standards.

5. Background (2) OAAA • In 2006, Draft Quality Plan developed (available at www.oac.gov.om). • It proposes a significant review of ROSQA, setting out a comprehensive system, OSQA, to align Oman’s HE sector with international best practice and ensure the system is appropriate to the context. • A two-stage approach to institutional accreditation (Quality Audit and Standards Assessment) was introduced to enable HEIs to build their internal quality systems while providing a means for public accountability.

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

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

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

9. Institutional Standards Review and Revision Project Overview OAAA

10. What are standards? OAAA It emerged that the use of the word ‘standard’ was open to a wide range of interpretations across languages. In the UK the word refers to a level of achievement measured against a reference point. In France and Germany its translation is used to indicate an average or norm. Crozier, F., Curvale, B., Dearlove, R., Helle, E., Hénard, F. Terminology of quality assurance: towards shared European values? ENQA 2006

11. What are standards? OAAA Standards: The level of requirements and conditions that must be met by institutions or programs to be accredited or certified by a quality assurance or accrediting agency. These conditions involve expectations about quality, attainment, effectiveness, financial viability, outcomes, and sustainability. Glossary of Key Terms, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, USA

12. Project aims and outcomes OAAA • To review and revise • the institutional standards as set out in ROSQA • the procedural guide outlined in ROSQA to improve its relevance to Omani context and to reflect current regional and international best practice. • To produce • a revised set of institutional standards • a Standards Assessment Manual

13. Purpose of HEI Standards OAAA

14. Why does ROSQA need to be reviewed (1)? OAAA • The OAAA has a mandate to improve and update the process for institutional accreditation; periodic review of standards and processes is good practice. • The revision needs to reflect the two-stage cycle of the institutional accreditation process and include HEI responses to Quality Audit Report.

15. Why does ROSQA need to be reviewed (2)? Common areas of standards - HEIs in Oman offer Omani and affiliate programmes.  This revision process will provide the opportunity to include standards for areas not included in ROSQA, such as risk management. There are a variety of HEIs in Oman with a range of affiliations and missions and this needs to be reflected in the institutional standards.  OAAA

16. Why does ROSQA need to be reviewed (3)? OAAA • Need to consider other forms of standards beyond minimum standards, such as standards which include stretch targets.  • The method of assessment needs to consider both qualitative and quantitative evidence. • Potential outcomes need to be clear and the decision-making process (e.g. resulting in accreditation/probation/non-accreditation) applies a transparent formula based on a sound rationale and system of measurement.

17. Process OAAA

19. Proposed key milestones OAAA

20. Role of Consultative Committee OAAA

21. Consultative Committee Formed to ensure full consultation with the HE sector in Oman. All HEIs invited to nominate one representative to become a member. Members are expected to liaise between the committee and their HEI. Members will be asked to share drafts with their HEI and pass on feedback to the OAAA. Focus on electronic communication with one or two face to face meetings. OAAA

22. Next steps OAAA

23. Next steps OAAA • Approval from OAAA Board • Training for the sector on standards and the Standards Assessment process • Pilot Standards Assessments • National schedule for Standards Assessments • Training local external reviewers • Formal Standards Assessments

24. Summary OAAA

25. Summary (1) OAAA The desired features of the standards are: • Based on ROSQA • Aligned with the scope of the Quality Audit • Benchmarked against regional and international standards • Contextualised for Oman • Diversity of mission • Classification of HEIs • Programme origin/delivery

26. Summary (2) OAAA • Subject to extensive consultation with HE sector and other key stakeholders • Consider HEI responses to Affs and Recs • Not overly prescriptive • Adopt combination of standards, e.g.: • Absolute minimum (risk management) • Minimum (encourages good practice) • Stretch target (aspirational/excellence)

27. Summary (3) OAAA • Measured using quantitative and qualitative data • Accommodate recognition of excellence (e.g. accreditation + merit) • Are applied using a clear and transparent method for assessment and reassessment.

28. Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) Briefing forInstitutional Standards Review and Revision Project15 May 2011

29. Comparison with old ROSQA Governance & Management Student Coursework Student Research Staff Research & Consultancy Community Engagement Academic Support Services Students & Student Support Services Staff & Staff Support Services General Support Services & Facilities What does QA/SA Consider?  OAAA NEW SCOPE PREVIOUS SCOPE • Mission, Goals & Objectives • Governance & Administration • Learning & Teaching • Student Services • Learning Resources • Facilities & Equipment • Financial Planning & Management • Staffing & Employment Procedures • Research • Community Relationships

30. Example HEI Standards for Teaching Staff 

31. HEI standards  OAAA HEI offering Omani programmes HEI offering affiliate programmes COMMON STANDARDS Curriculum contextualisation Curriculum design, approval and review

32. Control Standard + Quantity Measure – – + Quality Measure ‘Minimum standards’ set criteria that may define the minimum acceptable inputs, process designs or outputs. Control Standard Complying with minimum standards may raise the quantity of activity below the standard to an acceptable level. + Quantity Measure – – + Quality Measure

33.  + Target Standard ‘Target standards’ can be set to stretch virtually the whole organisation. Quantity Measure – – + Quality Measure Target Standard Implementing the target standard may encourage wide-scale progress towards it, because it potentially applies to everybody. + Quantity Measure – – + Quality Measure