Arab Educational Information Network

The paper discusses the development of the University of Qatar, including the process of educational reform and associated developments. The case of the Faculty of Education is addressed as a model, starting with the experience of the Faculty (Diploma in Special Education Program) with the “Enhancement of Quality Assurance and Institutional Planning in Arab Universities” project, organized by the Regional Bureau for Arab States of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in its first phase, which was devoted to “education programs”. The project sought to apply global standards of education, with the aim of promoting a culture of quality assurance in Arab universities. As a result of the project, a quality assurance group was formed at the University of Qatar, with a view to assuring internal quality and upgrading all teaching and learning processes. To this end, the group set up a quality assurance system that assesses student learning outcomes of programs of study. Another result of the project was the establishment of a quality assurance committee at the Faculty of Education. This committee reviewed all Faculty and departmental programs, and developed a system of evaluation, including peer observation. The paper also discusses the results of the student learning outcomes system at University level, as well as at Faculty level. Finally, it discusses the results of a pilot study of the peer observation system.