Comprehensive Evaluation of Al-Quds Open University Kathleen Matheos, PhD Ramallah May 21, 2007

Setting the Context The Project The Purpose The Institution The Team The Ministry

Methodology The Process Survey, Focus Groups, Interviews SWOT The Challenges Limitations

Findings Faculty Students Graduates Employers Key Informants SWOT Analysis

SWOT Strengths External - Some textbooks - High quality - Geographically Dispersed Learning Centres - Flexible Delivery - Stable Financial Model - Lower Fee Structure - Investment in ICTC and e-learning and Multimedia Units - Provides Employment for a large number of Palestinians over a wide area Internal - High Quality Textbooks - Quality Assurance Unit - Planning Unit - Clear Structure and Regulations - Senior Administration well versed in open and distance learning - Quality of Learners - Quality of Faculty Members - Large Market Share of Learners - Centralized Examinations and associated protocols

SWOT Weaknesses External - Desire to be both an open and traditional system- ambivalence - Full-time faculty limited qualifications - Limited library and Lab facilities - Limited counselling and student follow up - Admission of lesser prepared sequential students - Graduates lack essential employment skills e.g., English - Weak quality assurance - Absence of instructor/course evaluation Internal - Difficulty to recruit faculty trained abroad - Insufficient sharing of information about DE and Open Learning in the community - Limited use of Technology - Over-use of print based DE - Absence of PD in Open and DE - Poor interaction and communication between Gaza and the West Bank due to political situation - Decisions made by management affected by external factors (not within control of QOU) - Limited number of programs - Library (except in Gaza) Buildings - Lack of research and development initiatives - Students possess limited English Skills - Lack of follow-up of graduates - Overly dependent on part-time lecturers from other institutions

SWOT Opportunities External - Change in status to a public non- governmental university - New Board of Trustees - Use of International Benchmarks for Open and DE - Demand for Higher Education (university level) among Palestinians - Suitable model for education within the current Palestinian situation e.g., continuous closures/limited mobility/ security/economic situation - Modern Technology - E-Learning Internal - Curriculum Development - Student Recruitment - Economy of scale to increase enrolment - Collaborate with other institutions in e-learning and online library linkages - Serve more women learners unable to attend traditional institutions - International partnerships provide faculty opportunities for research and development - Continue to serve learners throughout Palestine in the current political situation - Cost effective tuition in current economic situation - Enable learners to learn while earning - Community-university linkages in CE

SWOT Threats External Status-quo in MOEHE/AQAC criteria for recognition of graduate programs and lack of recognition of online e- learning graduate programs -Potential Dissatisfaction of employers with the quality of QOU graduates -Further reduction of government funding and support - Traditional universities interest in e- learning and pressure for subsequent change in policies and mandates at MOEHE - Competition with traditional universities for sequential students - Perception of DE and QOU in Palestine and the Arab World - Political situation - Stagnating economy and growing unemployment - Emerging technical and community colleges may attract QOU students with lower Tawjihi Internal - Lack of qualified staff in certain areas - Negative attitudes of traditional universities to QOU

Recommendations for QOU Develop as the central agenda of the institution, the scholarship of teaching within distance, open and online environment

Recommendations Continued Improve physical facilities for teachers and learners. Explore collaboration with traditional universities in Palestine Increase English capacity across the Institution.

MOEHE Recommendations Review and revise the criteria for acceptance of qualifications for graduate degree recognition within Palestine. Review and revise current accreditation criteria.. Formalize transfer credit policies among institutions. Review enrolment and graduation data in programmatic areas in relationship to employment

Recommendations Continued Develop an educational excellence model for distance and e-learning within higher education. Formalize acceptance of sequential students by QOU with a Tawjihi score of 60 for a three-year period with a requirement for QOU to monitor progress and provide a report. Subsequent to the report results, a policy decision should be made. Set an agenda for the establishment of e- learning units across traditional universities. Facilitate collaboration/consortia.

Constituent Reports Background MOEHE Regulatory and Legal Issues Relationship and Perceptions

Teaching and Learning Registrarial Services Academic Programs Faculty Students

Teaching and Learning Continued Course Materials ICTC Regional Centres Library Continuing Education

Administration and Management Finance and Budgeting Personnel Department Planning

Quality and Evaluation Quality Assurance Models of Evaluation

Next Steps Update on implementation of recommendations at QOU Questions and Comments