This book focuses on two crucial issues that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency by universities in the Arab region, namely (a) conducting independent assessments of the quality of their teaching, research, administration, governance, and planning; and (b) determining the relevance of their teaching, research, and societal impacts. Although well-established around the world in manufacturing industries and private-sector service industries, including the research and commercialisation arms of the major universities and research institutes, it is only in recent years that quality-assurance (QA) assessments have started to be applied to most aspects education. Several Arab universities are adopting various forms of QA but some variants are little more than bureaucratic “box-ticking” exercises with minimal commitment by staff to the ultimate aim of continuing self-improvement. This book will be of interest to senior management at faculty and departmental level and above in all Arab universities specifically, and more generally in Islamic institutions of higher education. Senior management in other universities, especially in the developing world will benefit from its analyses and recommendations.

An essential resource for institutional leaders across the Middle East, as well as those invested in the development of higher education in the region, this volume acts as a unique contribution for propelling the progress of higher education in the Middle East.

This book examines the unsatisfactory situation in the Arab world where there is a pressing need to address poverty, unemployment, political instability, corruption, and the existential threat of climate change. The authors analyze the relationships between universities and governments in the Arab world, and make recommendations that will help develop intellectual capacity and thereby aid the economic and social transitions so desperately needed in all Arab countries. Countries aspiring to participate fully in the global knowledge economy require dynamic university sectors operating in concert with governments that actively promote high-quality education and research and foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Successful university-government relationships can be complex and are continually evolving.

The Global Trends in Higher Education Quality Assurance: Challenges and Opportunities in Internal and External Quality Assurance provides a comprehensive coverage of the trends and developments in higher education quality assurance as they refer to legitimacy/trust, efficiency and relevance.

This book provides an overview of the current state of universities in the Arab world, and how they have the potential to transform society to raise the quality of life and stimulate wealth. The main themes progress from general to the specific. Each chapter providing an overview followed by factual analysis and options for the way forward. All of the major challenges facing universities in general are addressed with reference to issues of particular importance in the Arab Region. The challenges faced include: the need to accommodate a social model of life-long learning; the desire for institutional autonomy while interacting with governments; the availability of open-access online courses and distance learning. Arab universities are diverse, ranging from those entirely state-controlled and funded, to wholly independent private universities. The quality of governmental oversight is also variable, and some institutions are clearly unworthy of the appellation ‘university’. The book comprises of 20 chapters authored by senior academics with a wide international experience and a commitment to assisting the improvement of Arab higher educational and research communities.

This book provides a comprehensive insight into the benefits and advantages of adopting technology-driven learning as a central pillar of the universities’ teaching, learning, research, and social-responsibility strategies. Despite the importance of adopting technology-enhanced learning within higher education institutions, Arab countries are still slow to change. Arab Universities are facing the need to adopt new methods of learning to serve the demands of a changing demography in the higher education community as well as the requirements of Industry 4.0 and Society 4.0. E-Learning and distance education are not just about technology, but they are about education, pedagogy, curriculum design, research, and innovation. The book also discusses the best methods to implement these modes of learning while taking into consideration all the hurdles and challenges specific to the Arab world. The needs of students (undergraduate and postgraduate), faculty, and the university at large are considered while drawing on the best quality-assurance practices to ensure the quality of education remains uncompromised. Also featured in this book are experiences from Arab Universities and recommendations for improvements that facilitate the use of education technology tools as part the university’s pedagogy to harness the full potential for implementing e-learning and distance education.

An essential resource for institutional leaders across the Middle East, as well as those invested in the development of higher education in the region, this volume acts as a unique contribution for propelling the progress of higher education in the Middle East.