“Quality Culture” Workshop Organized in Oman by CLICKS and QAA

The Center for Learning Innovations and Customized Knowledge Solutions (CLICKS) in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Agency in the UK organized a two day workshop titled “Building a Sustainable Quality Culture: From Internal QA to External Accreditation” which took place on the 29th & 30th of April, 2019 in Levatio Hotel, Muscat, Oman; this workshop is considered the last public program organized by the two partners and both agreed to run a series of similar programs in different Arab States next academic year including in Morocco and Saudi Arabia as part of their common agenda to support the quality movement across the Arab Region.

The two day workshop addressed the key strategies and approaches for developing and sustaining a quality culture which involves establishing an integrated internal quality assurance system that is aligned with institution’s specific strategies and culture whilst supporting the achievement of external QA requirements (accreditation) both nationally and internationally. Detailed explanation on the system and process for external QA in the Sultanate of Oman was provided being the host country. The program also placed special focus on the QA of academic programs and the soft aspect of building quality systems including leadership role. The workshop in addition explored the ESG standards and placed emphasis on the QAA validation process for institutions outside of the UK.

Over 32 participants representing four different countries and more than 18 Higher Education Institutions were present to the program and shared their insights and experiences on the development of internal quality assurance and quality culture.

This workshop was well received by participants who engaged throughout the program with activities and their peers and was facilitated by Dr. Narimane Hadj-Hamou from CLICKS and Fiona Crozier and Ian Welch from the QAA.