CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT POLICY
1. Definitions
1.1 The following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Council: The academic governance advisory body at the University that plays a substantial and critical role in setting the academic direction of the University.
1.1.2 Academic Programs Development Framework: The structured process that guides the design, approval, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic Programs to ensure they align with University’s Strategic Priorities, Accreditation standards, labor market needs, and Student Learning Outcomes.
1.1.3 Academic Unit: An entity within the University that delivers Courses for Programs or for entry into Programs.
1.1.4 Accreditation: Official recognition that an Academic Unit, Program or Course has met the established standards of quality set by an Accrediting Body.
1.1.5 College Curriculum Committee (CCC): A college-level standing committee responsible for reviewing Curricular matters that have been endorsed by the Program Curriculum Committee (PCC).
1.1.6 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific Learning Outcomes.
1.1.7 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a Student can demonstrate immediately upon completion of a Course.
1.1.8 Credit: A unit of measurement assigned to a Course based on the total amount of learning time that counts toward a Program or credential completion, at a particular level of the Qatar National Qualifications Framework.
1.1.9 Curricular: Courses of study offered by the University.
1.1.10 Curriculum: The subjects comprising a Course of study in a Program.
1.1.11 Curriculum Enhancement: An improvement made to a Course or Program to enhance Student learning, align with University Strategic Priorities, or meet Accreditation and industry standards.
1.1.12 Curriculum Map: A visual representation of a program that maps Course Learning Outcomes against Graduate Attributes, Program Educational Objectives, Student Learning Outcomes, Qatar National Qualifications Framework, Accrediting Body Requirements, and Professional Body Requirements.
1.1.13 Learning Outcomes: The knowledge, skills, and competencies that a Student can demonstrate upon completion of an educational activity, Course, or Program.
1.1.14 Learning Sessions: Classes, labs, placements or work term prescribed by the Course.
1.1.15 Level I Curriculum Enhancement: Enhancements that have limited impact, typically affecting one Program, not impacting the Curriculum Map, and not exceeding more than 20% of Program Credits.
1.1.16 Level II Curriculum Enhancement: Enhancements that have significant impacts, typically affecting curricular details or structure in more than one Program in one Academic Unit, not impacting the Curriculum Map, and not exceeding more than 20% of Program Credits.
1.1.17 Level III Curriculum Enhancement: Enhancements that are major transformative changes that impact the Curriculum Map, exceed more than 20% of Program Credits, or impact multiple Academic Units.
1.1.18 Program: A prescribed set of Courses leading to a qualification, including a Certificate, Diploma (2 years), Advanced Diploma (3 years), Bachelor, Post Graduate Diploma, Master, or Doctorate, according to the Qatar National Qualifications Framework.
1.1.19 Program Review: A process of periodic review and comprehensive assessment that provides enhancement to a Program’s quality and contributes to the Program's continuous improvement.
1.1.20 Professional Association: An organization that represents and advances the interests of individuals in a specific occupational field to help members stay current in their field.
1.1.21 Program Curriculum Committee (PCC): A program-level standing committee responsible for reviewing and endorsing Curricular matters.
1.1.22 Program Educational Objectives (PEOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a graduate can demonstrate within 2–3 years of graduation.
1.1.23 Qatar National Qualifications Framework (QNQF): A structured system that classifies and standardizes qualifications in Qatar based on knowledge, skill, and competency levels to ensure alignment between education, training, and workforce requirements, enhancing the quality, comparability, and recognition of qualifications both nationally and internationally.
1.1.24 Stakeholder: Individuals or groups, both internal and external, who have an interest in or influence on the decisions, activities, and outcomes of the University.
1.1.25 Strategic Priority: An outcome-oriented, high-level aim to achieve the University’s Mission.
1.1.26 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a graduate can demonstrate immediately upon graduation.
1.1.27 University Curriculum and Program Development Committee (UCPDC): A university-level standing committee responsible for reviewing and endorsing Curricular matters before submission to the Academic Council.
1.1.28 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.
1.2 Where a word or phrase is given a particular meaning, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have corresponding meanings.
1.3 Where the context requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa.
2. Purpose
2.1 The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that Curriculum Enhancements are implemented in a consistent, transparent, and effective manner, aligned with the University’s Strategic Priorities and quality assurance mechanisms.
2.2 This Policy outlines the procedures for initiating, approving, and implementing Curriculum Enhancements to support academic excellence and relevance to labor market and societal needs.
3. Scope
3.1 This Policy applies to all Curriculum Enhancements to Programs and Courses offered by the University, regardless of level or mode of delivery.
3.2 The Policy is applicable to all Academic Units involved in curriculum design, delivery, and review.
4. Policy Statements
4.1 Curriculum Enhancements must be evidence-based and informed by data collected through stakeholder engagement, Program Review, or changes in labor market and Accreditation requirements.
4.2 Curriculum Enhancements shall be categorized into Level I, Level II, and Level III based on the degree of change and potential impact.
4.3 All proposed Curriculum Enhancements must undergo appropriate review and endorsement by the PCC, CCC, UCPDC, and Academic Council, based on the Level of enhancement.
4.4 No Curriculum Enhancement shall be implemented without formal approval by the authorized University governance bodies.
4.5 Curriculum Maps must be updated to reflect approved Level III Enhancements.
5. Procedures
5.1 Curriculum Enhancements may be initiated by Faculty, Academic Units, or through findings from Program Reviews.
5.2 All proposals must be documented using the approved Curriculum Enhancement Proposal template and submitted to the PCC.
5.3 The following process shall be followed:
5.3.1 Level I Enhancements: Reviewed and endorsed by PCC and CCC; submitted to the Dean for approval.
5.3.2 Level II Enhancements: Reviewed and endorsed by PCC and CCC; submitted to UCPDC for approval.
5.3.3 Level III Enhancements: Reviewed and endorsed by PCC and CCC; submitted to UCPDC and Academic Council for final approval.
5.4 Implementation timelines and communication plans must be included in the proposal.
5.5 The Office of the Vice President, Academic Affairs shall maintain a centralized record of all approved Curriculum Enhancements.
6. Roles and Responsibilities
6.1 Faculty: Propose enhancements based on academic expertise and feedback.
6.2 Program Curriculum Committee (PCC): Evaluate proposals and make recommendations.
6.3 College Curriculum Committee (CCC): Review endorsed proposals and ensure alignment with college strategy.
6.4 University Curriculum and Program Development Committee (UCPDC): Review Level II and III enhancements for University-wide alignment.
6.5 Academic Council: Review and approve Level III enhancements and ensure policy alignment with institutional goals.
7. Related Documents
7.1 Academic Programs Development Framework
7.2 Program Review Policy
7.3 Course and Program Approval Procedures
7.4 Qatar National Qualifications Framework
8. Policy Review
8.1 This Policy shall be reviewed at least once every three years or more frequently if required to ensure relevance and alignment with institutional and regulatory changes.
9. Approval and Implementation
9.1 This Policy is approved by the Academic Council and implemented by the Office of the Vice President, Academic Affairs.