Oman: Oman Authority for Quality Assurance of Education today organized a session on the latest developments in ensuring the quality of higher education in the Sultanate of Oman. The session, attended by specialists in the higher education sector, was held under the auspices of Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education.
According to Oman News Agency, Dr. Jokha bint Abdullah Al Shukaili, Chairperson of Oman Authority for Quality Assurance of Education, gave a presentation in which she discussed updates related to the renaming of the Authority, its institutional identity, the definition of its competencies, and its national role in developing the education system in accordance with best international practices. The updates include supporting the integration of the educational system and measuring the governance of performance through an independent national body.
The session reviewed the features of the Strategic Plan (2026-2030) and the new organizational structure. Another presentation was made by Dr. Reem bint Abdullah Al Alawi, Director General of the Centre for Higher Education Quality Assurance. Dr. Reem spoke about external activities of quality assurance in higher education, emphasizing the organizational structure of the centre, related statistics, and the importance of training and building national capacities.
Fakhriya Al Habsi, Director General of the Framework of National Qualifications at Oman Authority for Quality Assurance of Education, addressed the challenges of implementing the National Qualifications Framework. She discussed the changes it imposes, its outputs, and issues related to designing, developing, and reviewing qualifications.
Salim Al Kindi, a quality assurance expert at the Authority, spoke about regulatory policies related to the implementation of external quality assurance activities. These include the policy on international external quality assurance activities and the policy on risks of material changes in external quality assurance activities in higher education. Al Kindi noted that updates brought by these policies enhance shared responsibility between the Authority and educational institutions and provide a roadmap for dealing with international parties.
The session concluded with a presentation by Dr. Eman Al Nu'omani, Director of the Department of Institutional Quality Assurance. Her presentation elaborated on the Authority's project to obtain recognition from the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). Gaining INQAAHE's recognition is seen as a step to enhancing the Sultanate of Oman's global status in higher education quality.