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In the evolving landscape of higher education, quality assurance has expanded beyond internal institutional and ministries of higher education concerns to encompass a broad range of stakeholders, including students, employers, governments and the community at large.
National and international accreditations have become vital markers of institutional credibility and educational excellence, serving not only as a standard of quality but also as a critical tool for continuous improvement. Accreditation helps institutions advance educational standards, enhance public trust, secure financial support in some cases, and provide assurance to students and employers regarding the value of educational programs.
In the Arab region, the focus on quality assurance and accreditation has intensified over the past two decades. Most Arab states have established external quality assurance agencies, national qualification frameworks, and many launched national classification and ranking systems, driving efforts to elevate educational standards. Higher education institutions are increasingly implementing integrated quality management systems, conducting rigorous self-assessments, and seeking accreditations to demonstrate their commitment to excellence.
Moving from a mere compliance-based approach to a culture of continuous quality enhancement is essential. This shift ensures that quality becomes ingrained in the institutional culture, with every member of the community contributing to the pursuit of excellence. Developing robust internal quality management systems is critical in this regard, as they provide a framework for ongoing assessment and improvement, ensuring that educational offerings and support services consistently meet high standards.
At CLICKS, we support institutions in embedding quality assurance within their culture. We assist in conducting external quality audits, developing comprehensive internal quality management systems, creating policy management systems, building capacity, and facilitating the transition from quality assurance to quality enhancement. Our expertise helps institutions build systems that promote accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement, ultimately fostering an environment where quality is the responsibility of everyone within the institution.
CLICKS, through its Framework for Assessing Academic Excellence (illustrated in the figure), assists higher education institutions in developing and deploying effective systems that support quality and continuous improvement. This framework also ensures institutional readiness for local or international accreditation. The Framework follows a four-stage quality cycle, which includes goal setting and planning, implementation, evaluation, and review.
The quality assurance process within this framework involves:
This structured approach not only promotes a culture of continuous quality enhancement but also positions institutions to meet and exceed accreditation requirements, thereby enhancing their reputation and credibility in the academic community.
CLICKS offers a range of practical programs designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and understanding of higher education professionals in developing internal quality assurance systems and preparing for local and international accreditation at both the program and institutional levels. These programs cover areas such as developing internal QA systems, assuring quality through the program life cycle, accreditation preparation, benchmarking, and program assessment among others. We also offer training in various aspects of curriculum design, development, and implementation under the broader umbrella of learning and teaching.
Our programs are supported by a team of international associates with extensive expertise in various accreditation systems, both regionally and globally.
CLICKS announces a series of public programs each year, delivered in-person in Dubai or online, and open for registration to higher education professionals from around the globe. In addition, CLICKS offers most of its capacity-building programs as ‘in-house’ sessions, tailored to meet specific institutional needs. These programs are aligned with national standards for accreditation and are designed to address the unique challenges faced by institutions.
Most capacity-building programs in QA and Accreditation range from 2-day sessions to intensive 7-day courses. Some programs are also dually certified with our international partners, such as the “Building Effective Internal QA Systems” program, which is jointly offered and certified with the Quality Assurance Agency in the UK.
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Our Center has been heavily involved in consulting for higher education institutions, particularly in the areas of quality assurance and accreditation, having successfully completed over 180 projects. We offer comprehensive support in various domains, including:
The Center provides a range of services to assist institutions in the accreditation process, including: