Briefing for Consultative Committee 15 May 2011

1. OAAA Briefing forConsultative Committee15 May 2011

2. 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

3. Consultants Voorhees Group, LLC www.voorheesgroup.org OAAA

4. Voorhees Group, LLC OAAA • Higher education consultants based in the U.S. • Clients and partnerships included • Colleges • Universities • Federal Government Agencies • Think Tanks • Private Foundations • State Governments • National Governors Association • Extensive International Partnerships

5. International Experience OAAA

6. Rick and John OAAA • Seasoned members and chairs of regional (North Central, Southern and Western [three largest]) and national (for-profit) accrediting teams • Past presidents of the Association for Institutional Research • The primary management information/quality assurance professional organization in the U.S. and internationally • Over 4,200 members from throughout the World • Both have published extensively in peer reviewed journals, books, and other publications in higher education in the U.S. and other countries.

7. Oman Project Principles OAAA • No preconceived agenda • Transparency is key • Standards must be appropriate to the Omani context • Standards must be reflective of the mission of the institution • The project will be successful only with substantial and frequent input from the HEIs through the members of the Consultative Committee

8. ToR for ConsultativeCommittee(1) The Consultative Committee will undertake the following: Be familiar with ROSQA Be familiar with other institutional standards used regionally and internationally. Act as a liaison between the HEI and the OAAA, soliciting views of colleagues and other stakeholders in their institutions at all stages of the project in order to ensure a comprehensive consultation process. OAAA

9. ToR for ConsultativeCommittee(2) Consider the draft versions of the institutional standards and the Standards Assessment process submitted by the consultants and provide feedback to the OAAA. This feedback will be either submitted in writing electronically or through face to face discussions. Members of the CC will also be encouraged to contribute to online discussions. Attend the national symposium on behalf of their HEI and, where appropriate, present the views and findings of the Consultative Committee. OAAA

11. Communication OAAA OAAA and VG HEI Academics Admin Students Industry Reps Directors Consultative Committee • Means of communication: • Email • Web-based discussion board • Face to face meetings

12. How to generate interest from your HEI? Show them today’s presentation Find the best means of sharing information, e.g. through an internal discussion board, setting up a steering committee, intranet, department meetings, etc. Consider generating feedback from a range of stakeholders: academics, administrative staff, support services, students, parents, industrial advisory boards – think about the scope of the institutional accreditation process. OAAA

13. National symposium Aim of the symposium is to extend the consultation process as widely as possible Wide audience: Ministry representatives, industry, professional bodies, Student Councils, parents, other external stakeholders etc Discussion groups on each area of the scope and the overall process Promoting sharing of feedback and ideas Consultative Committee members all invited to represent their HEIs OAAA

14. Briefing forConsultative Committee15 May 2011 OAAA