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