Compatibility Obstacles with Arab Universities Union Standards of Quality Assurance and Accreditation A case study of Mosul University / Iraq

Abstract

Abstract

The current study seeks to explore the compatibility with eleven-University Arab Union Standards in accordance with descriptive and quantitative appraisal of the faculties of the University of Mosul / Iraq.

It also diagnoses and analyzes the quality assurance obstacles faced by the faculties of the university, and then proposes ways to overcome them.

Multiple tools are used to collecting data from twenty three faculties including quality assurance department at presidency of the university. Tools include checklist, interviews, and field visits, coupled with documents and records review to determine the level of fulfillment of the criteria and how to recognize obstacles.

The pilot study has provided indicators for the faculties’ needs to determine the real situation against the standards, and the needs to identify administrative, organizational and financial obstacles.

A model has been designed to illustrate the procedural steps of the study, and the data have been analyzed by some mathematical and statistical tools leading to significant conclusions and suggestions, the most important of which are:

1. The descriptive indicators derived from partial analysis of compatibility level were mostly positive despite some faculties’ failure, but no one at hopeless situation (less than 50% fulfillment ratio).
2. Due to many factors, some faculties have a high level of compatibility, and they have a strong and continuous commitment from the dean and his/her assistants, with activity and vitality of quality assurance employees. Furthermore, they are familiar with quality and accreditation field.
3. The study proposed (especially for the faculties which failed to get a high level of fitting) helping them to upgrade their level. There is also a need to direct the university efforts towards community service standards, through the promotion of these services by planning and re-activating the relations with the local and regional communities. Furthermore, it is necessary to take some steps towards achieving convergence with the labor market.

Key words:  Administrative, Financial and Regulatory Obstacles, Arab Universities Union Standards, Quality Assurance and accreditation, Standards and Weights Guide, Descriptive and Quantitative Indicators.