The Status of Quality Assurance and Accreditation Systems within Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Yemen

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the status of quality assurance and accreditation systems within higher education institutions in Yemen. The paper initially describes the stages of development and changes that have occurred in the field of quality and accreditation in Yemeni higher education. The paper shows that no formal mechanisms for quality assurance and accreditation processes have been fully developed within higher education institutions in Yemen. In addition, the discussion reveals that the continuing efforts exerted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR) to establish the quality assurance and accreditation systems in higher education institutions have resulted in increased awareness among university officials, academic staff and administrators about the quality concepts, quality standards and quality assurance system. The paper concludes by exploring the lessons learned about the changes in quality and accreditation nationally and institutionally. The conclusion may provide some opportunities for reflection by quality assurance experts and officials in universities and the MHESR for continuous development of quality assurance and accreditation systems at national and institutional levels.