Implication of Multiple Quality Assurance Environment on Cross Border Higher Education - The case of Middle East College
Outline • Cross Border Higher Education
• inherently operates in multiple jurisdictions
• Quality assurance
• Focus on the programme • QA mechanism • Comparability of student experience
• Implications of multiple QA environment requirements • Strategic Development Partnerships • Global knowledge alliances partnership network
Macro context • Sultanate of Oman • Population of 4.14 million • Major development in the last 45 years • ever since HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said ascended the throne • Focus on health, education and welfare • Most improved nation in last 40 years (UN HDI, 20th edition)
• Higher Education environment • First public University (SQU) started in 1986 • PhD programmes initiated in 2008 • Ministry of Higher Education established in 1994 • Around 60 institutions • Large diversity – ownership, affiliation, programmes • Ambitious and systematic programme aimed at Quality Assurance
Micro context
• Middle East College • Vision • Contributing to the development of a harmonious and sustainable world through the pursuit of knowledge
• Mission • We endeavour to fulfill creative human potential through education, inquiry, innovation, intercultural engagement and service
• Private university college founded in 2002 • Founders – alumni of University of Wolverhampton
• Academic partnerships • University of Wolverhampton, University of Barcelona, Coventry University, Hanyang University, SKK University.
• Currently catering to around 5500 students • Located inside the Knowledge Oasis Muscat
QA • Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) • Licensing, institutional and programme review • Oman Agency for Academic Accreditation (OAAA) • Institutional standards, programme standards
• ROSQA document • • • •
Institutional classification Programme classification Awards classification Qualification framework
Challenges •
Structural • • •
•
Programme • • •
•
Nature of requirements (scope – nine standards) Institutional Programme
Multiple audits • • •
•
Programme structure Exit awards and programme structure Design, Development and Review
Accreditation requirements • • •
•
Institutional classification Research Spectrum of programmes
Duplication Resources Focus and priority
Practices •
Context (historic, cultural, geographical) embedded
CBHE •
Beyond programme delivery approach
•
CBHE as Institutional capacity building
•
Strategic Development Partnerships • •
•
Vision Commitment
Broad spectrum engagement • • • • •
Staff and student – research and exchange Faculty development Consultancy Internships Community outreach
Knowledge Alliances
• Global knowledge alliance partnership network
• Leveraging the power of the UoW partnership network • Expertise, experience and reach
• University of Wolverhampton - Network coordinator • Leveraging strengths and addressing weaknesses • • • • • • • •
Networked Collaborative initiatives Multi-site programmes Research QA mechanism Community outreach Student Exchange Internships Inventory of good practices
• Hub and spokes to Networked – Bilateral to Multilateral
Thank you