SSttaannddaarrddss - CAA Portal

1 SSStttaaannndddaaarrrdddsss fffooorrr LLLiiiccceeennnsssuuurrreee aaannnddd AAAccccccrrreeedddiiitttaaatttiiiooonnn Commission for Academic Accreditation Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research United Arab Emirates PREFACE As the United Arab Emirates strives to build a knowledge-based economy, it is essential that it is underpinned by a tertiary education system of the highest quality. With the globalization of higher education and increased student mobility between institutions and nations, students need to be assured that their qualifications are of a high standard and are recognized and respected across borders.

2 Institutions licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), offering CAA accredited programs, have demonstrated that their curriculum is of sound international standing and the necessary human and physical resources are in place to provide the students with an effective learning environment. The concept of quality in the context of universities and colleges is a complex product of many factors. These are considered systematically through the eleven sections of the Standards, each with criteria that are challenging for institutions to meet, but essential as a foundation for continuous improvement and future attainment of excellen ce.

3 This fifth edition of the CAA Standards has been refined with cognizance of best international practices in higher education and with feedback from institutions of higher learning here in the UAE. This edition of the Standards has been developed with an increased focus on outcomes- based curricula and assessment. It calls for more external benchmarking of programs and support services to demonstrate the quality achieved and future targets. There is now reference in the Standards to the UAE s Qualifications Framework, to be published shortly, which provides a further benchmark for judging appropriate levels of awards and the associated outcomes achieved by students.

4 A final new section in the Standards addresses the area of Community Engagement, seeking mutually beneficial strategies for institutions to contribute to society in the local and regional context. The Commission for Academic Accreditation has completed its first decade of operation and in this significant year has also achieved recognition from the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) that it follows the Good Practice Guidelines for such organizations. The rigorous reviews carried out by the Commission, in conjunction with international subject experts, will continue to provide reassurance to students and their families that MOHESR licensed institutions in the UAE will provide high quality study programs commanding respect locally, regionally and internationally.

5 Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research SSSTTTAAANNNDDDAAARRRDDDSSS FFFOOORRR LLLIIICCCEEESSSNNNSSSUUURRREEE AAANNNDDD AAACCCCCCRRREEEDDDIIITTTAAATTTIIIOOONNN 555ttthhh EEEdddiiitttiiiooonnn The eleven standards of excellence and the criteria that all institutions must meet for Licensure and Program Accreditation provide measures of quality and also reflect a consensus within the international higher education community about the essential characteristics of institutions that achieve a level of excellence and continuously improve. This fifth edition of the CAA Standards has been refined with cognizance of best international practices in higher education and with feedback from institutions of higher learning in the UAE.

6 The Standards has been developed with an increased focus on outcomes- based curricula and assessment. It calls for more external benchmarking of programs and support services to demonstrate the quality achieved and future targets. It also gives more attention to internal review mechanisms, branch campuses, student transfers, and coordination between campuses. i TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION - STANDARDS FOR 2011 .. 1 PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES .. 1 PRINCIPLES OF LICENSURE AND ACCREDITATION .. 1 UAE QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK .. 3 INTERNATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE .. 3 THE REVIEW CYCLE .. 3 STANDARDS FOR LICENSURE AND ACCREDITATION.

7 6 1. Mission, Organization and Governance .. 6 Vision and Mission.. 6 Organization.. 6 The Board.. 6 Institutional 7 Policies and Procedures.. 7 Multiple Campus Institutions.. 7 Campuses of UAE Institutions in Other Countries.. 7 Branch Campuses of Foreign 8 2. Quality Assurance .. 8 Institutional Research.. 8 Institutional Planning.. 9 Risk Management.. 9 Continuous Quality Enhancement.. 9 Quality Assurance/Institutional Effectiveness Manual.. 9 Reporting.. 10 3. The Educational Program .. 10 Credit-bearing Programs.. 10 The Curricula.. 11 Academic Courses.. 11 General Education.. 11 Internship.. 12 Undergraduate Preparatory or Remedial Courses and Programs.

8 12 Graduate Programs.. 12 Course Delivery.. 13 Class Size.. 13 Program Effectiveness.. 13 Substantive Change for Programs.. 13 4. Faculty and Professional Staff .. 13 Faculty Handbook.. 14 Staff 14 Recruitment and Records.. 14 Faculty Preparation.. 14 Graduate Faculty.. 14 Staff Qualifications.. 15 Appointment, Compensation, Promotion, and Contract Renewal.. 15 Professional Development.. 15 Faculty Workload.. 16 ii Part-Time Faculty.. 16 Evaluation.. 17 Code of Conduct.. 17 Disciplinary Actions and Appeals.. 17 Grievances.. 17 Graduate Assistants.. 17 5. Students .. 17 Student Handbook.. 18 Undergraduate Admission.. 18 Graduate Admission.

9 18 Transfer Admission.. 19 Advanced Standing.. 20 Recognition of Prior Learning.. 20 Student Records.. 20 Student Services.. 20 Advising Services.. 21 Student Activities and Publications.. 21 Student Behavior and Academic Integrity.. 21 Grievances.. 21 Residence Halls.. 22 6. Learning Resources .. 22 Learning Resources: Library.. 22 Learning Resources: Technology.. 23 Learning Resources: Laboratories.. 23 7. Physical Resources .. 24 Physical Environment: Development.. 24 Physical Environment: Safety.. 24 Physical Environment: Technology.. 24 8. Fiscal 25 Fiscal Resources.. 25 Reporting.. 25 Organization.. 25 Budgeting.. 25 Financial Operations.

10 25 Accounting and Auditing.. 26 Purchasing and Inventory Control.. 26 Fees Collection and Refund Policy.. 26 Cash Management.. 26 Auxiliary Enterprises.. 26 9. Public Disclosure and Integrity .. 27 Policy.. 27 Publications.. 27 Institutional Name.. 28 Relationship with the Ministry and the Commission.. 28 Contractual Relationships.. 28 Associations with Corporate Entities.. 29 10. Research and Scholarly Activities .. 29 Research Strategy.. 29 Research Support.. 29 Research Policy.. 29 Research Expectations.. 29 Cooperative Arrangements.. 29 ii iii 11. Community Engagement .. 30 Institutional Engagement.. 30 Employer Engagement.. 30 Community Relations.