comprehensive evaluation of al-quds open university kathleen matheos, phd ramallah may 21, 2007
TRANSCRIPT
Comprehensive Evaluation of Al-Quds Open University
Kathleen Matheos, PhD
Ramallah
May 21, 2007
Setting the Context
• The Project
• The Purpose
• The Institution
• The Team
• The Ministry
Methodology
• The Process
• Survey, Focus Groups, Interviews
• SWOT
• The Challenges
• Limitations
Findings
• Faculty
• Students
• Graduates
• Employers
• Key Informants
• SWOT Analysis
SWOT Strengths
External- Some textbooks - High quality
- Geographically Dispersed Learning Centres - Flexible Delivery - Stable Financial Model - Lower Fee Structure- Investment in ICTC and e-learning and Multimedia Units - Provides Employment for a large number of Palestinians over a wide area
Internal
- High Quality Textbooks- Quality Assurance Unit- Planning Unit- Clear Structure and Regulations - Senior Administration well versed in open and distance learning - Quality of Learners- Quality of Faculty Members- Large Market Share of Learners- Centralized Examinations and associated protocols
SWOT Weaknesses
External- Desire to be both an open and traditional system- ambivalence- Full-time faculty limited qualifications - Limited library and Lab facilities - Limited counselling and student follow up - Admission of lesser prepared sequential students - Graduates lack essential employment skills e.g., English - Weak quality assurance- Absence of instructor/course evaluation
Internal- Difficulty to recruit faculty trained abroad- Insufficient sharing of information about DE and Open Learning in the community - Limited use of Technology- Over-use of print based DE - Absence of PD in Open and DE- Poor interaction and communication between Gaza and the West Bank due to political situation- Decisions made by management affected by external factors (not within control of QOU)- Limited number of programs
- Library (except in Gaza) Buildings - Lack of research and development initiatives - Students possess limited English Skills - Lack of follow-up of graduates- Overly dependent on part-time lecturers from other institutions
SWOT Opportunities
External- Change in status to a public non-governmental university - New Board of Trustees - Use of International Benchmarks for Open and DE
- Demand for Higher Education (university level) among Palestinians - Suitable model for education within the current Palestinian situation e.g., continuous closures/limited mobility/ security/economic situation - Modern Technology - E-Learning
Internal- Curriculum Development- Student Recruitment - Economy of scale to increase enrolment - Collaborate with other institutions in e-learning and online library linkages- Serve more women learners unable to attend traditional institutions - International partnerships provide faculty opportunities for research and development - Continue to serve learners throughout Palestine in the current political situation - Cost effective tuition in current economic situation- Enable learners to learn while earning - Community-university linkages in CE
SWOT Threats
ExternalStatus-quo in MOEHE/AQAC criteria for recognition of graduate programs and lack of recognition of online e-learning graduate programs -Potential Dissatisfaction of employers with the quality of QOU graduates -Further reduction of government funding and support
- Traditional universities interest in e-learning and pressure for subsequent change in policies and mandates at MOEHE- Competition with traditional universities for sequential students - Perception of DE and QOU in Palestine and the Arab World- Political situation- Stagnating economy and growing unemployment- Emerging technical and community colleges may attract QOU students with lower Tawjihi
Internal
- Lack of qualified staff in certain areas - Negative attitudes of traditional universities to QOU
Recommendations for QOU
• Develop as the central agenda of the institution, the scholarship of teaching within distance, open and online environment
Recommendations Continued
• Improve physical facilities for teachers and learners.
• Explore collaboration with traditional universities in Palestine
• Increase English capacity across the Institution.
MOEHE Recommendations
• Review and revise the criteria for acceptance of qualifications for graduate degree recognition within Palestine.
• Review and revise current accreditation criteria. .
• Formalize transfer credit policies among institutions.
• Review enrolment and graduation data in programmatic areas in relationship to employment
Recommendations Continued
• Develop an educational excellence model for distance and e-learning within higher education.
• Formalize acceptance of sequential students by QOU with a Tawjihi score of 60 for a three-year period with a requirement for QOU to monitor progress and provide a report. Subsequent to the report results, a policy decision should be made.
• Set an agenda for the establishment of e-learning units across traditional universities.
• Facilitate collaboration/consortia.
Constituent Reports
• Background
• MOEHE Regulatory and Legal Issues
• Relationship and Perceptions
Teaching and Learning
• Registrarial Services
• Academic Programs
• Faculty
• Students
Teaching and Learning Continued
• Course Materials
• ICTC
• Regional Centres
• Library
• Continuing Education
Administration and Management
• Finance and Budgeting
• Personnel Department
• Planning
Quality and Evaluation
• Quality Assurance
• Models of Evaluation
Next Steps
• Update on implementation of recommendations at QOU
• Questions and Comments