Managing Quality and Control Trade-Off in Higher Education through Affiliates in Oman

Abstract

Continuous Quality Improvement is a daunting challenge before all educational institutions of excellence. The inclusion of various stakeholders in the design and delivery of the programs as well as the overall governance of the institutions further complicates the situation. In order to meet the high quality standards on a continuous basis, the institutions need a committed top management, faculty members, students along with the active engagement of alumni and industry. The delivery of education involving affiliates is a prominent mechanism in higher education in the Gulf Countries. The model solves the main problem of academic resources for these institutions that lack indigenous expertise. However, the execution of quality management processes by the affiliating institution becomes a hindrance in the academic freedom because of visit and monitoring by affiliating university. This paper will explore in detail the challenges in managing the trade-off that exists in maintaining strict control and observing the philosophy of continuous quality improvement by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Oman. The paper will include a comparison of the quality standards of affiliating institutes vis-a-vis the locally managed higher education institutions in Oman. This paper will specifically focus on: professional development assistance by affiliating university; mapping of stakeholders expectations; improvement in teaching and learning; and commitment of governing council towards quality management. The paper will include a review of the performance indicators suggested by Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA). This paper will also review various standards criterion and KPI’s suggestions by OAAA for quality self assessment approach. The results of study will be used for further suggestive role to MOHE for implementing the recommendations for HEI’s. An exploratory study will be conducted to probe the reasons for poor quality management in affiliating colleges in Oman.