NEW PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL POLICY

1.1.1 Academic Council: The academic governance advisory body at the University which 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 Accrediting/Certifying Body: An organization that evaluates and formally recognizes that a Program or Course meets the established standards of quality.

1.1.6 Annual Program Review: A systematic, yearly evaluation of a Program’s performance to assess its effectiveness, Learning Outcomes, and alignment with the University’s Strategic Priorities.

1.1.7 Board: The Board of Trustees of the University.

1.1.8 College Curriculum Committee (CCC): A college-level standing committee responsible for reviewing Curricular matters that have been endorsed by the Program Curriculum Committee (PCC).

1.1.9 Comprehensive Program Proposal (CPP): A document that outlines the program’s alignment with institutional Strategic Priorities, the complete Curriculum design, resource requirements, and implementation plan.

1.1.10 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific Learning Outcomes.

1.1.11 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 Qualification Framework.

1.1.12 Curricular: Courses of study offered by the University.

1.1.13 Curriculum: The subjects comprising a Course of study in a Program.

1.1.14 Cyclical Program Review (CPR): A systematic, cyclical evaluation of a Program’s performance, at a minimum of every five years, to assess its effectiveness, Learning Outcomes, and alignment with the University’s Strategic Priorities.

1.1.15 Cyclical Program Review Proposal (CPRP): A document that outlines the revised Program’s alignment with the University’s strategic priorities, the complete Curriculum design, resource requirements, and implementation plan.

1.1.16 Initial Program Proposal (IPP): A letter of request submitted by a Dean to the Vice President, Academics, outlining the rationale for a new program, the target learner groups, the disciplines to which the new program will be aligned, the program’s alignment to the QNQF, and the proposed Program implementation date.

1.1.17 Labor Market Analysis: An independent evaluation of the current and projected labor market demand for graduates in a specific occupational field.

1.1.18 Learning Outcomes: The knowledge, skills, and competencies that a Student can demonstrate upon completion of an educational activity, Course, or Program.

1.1.19 Learning Sessions: Classes, labs, placements or work term prescribed by the Course.

1.1.20 Preliminary Program Proposal (PPP): A document that outlines the labor market demand for a Program and the Program’s alignment with the University’s strategic plan, Accreditation, and Professional Association requirements.

1.1.21 President: The President of the University.

1.1.22 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.

1.1.23 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.

1.1.24 Program Curriculum Committee (PCC): A program-level standing committee responsible for reviewing and endorsing Curricular matters.

1.1.25 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.

1.1.26 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.

1.1.27 Research: The systematic and organized investigation of a subject/topic, and study of the materials and sources in order to establish new knowledge and/or reach new conclusions.

1.1.28 Stakeholder: Individuals or groups, both internal and external, who have an interest in or influence on the decisions, activities, and outcomes of the University.

1.1.29 Strategic Priority: An outcome-oriented, high-level aim to achieve the University’s Mission.

1.1.30 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit Course or who is designated by the University as a Student.

1.1.31 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a graduate can demonstrate immediately upon graduation.

1.1.32 University Curriculum and Program Development Committee (UCPDC): A university-level standing committee responsible for reviewing and endorsing Curricular matters that have been reviewed by both the PCC and the CCC, if applicable, before submission to the Academic Council.

1.1.33 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.

4.1.1 Qatar National Qualifications Framework.

4.1.2 National priorities in Research and education.

4.1.3 University mission and Strategic Priorities.

4.1.4 University’s Academic Programs Development Framework.

4.1.5 Labor Market Analysis.

4.1.6 Relevant Accreditation benchmarks.

4.1.6 Relevant Professional Association benchmarks.

4.2.1 The development of all new academic Programs must proceed through three (3) stages:

4.2.1.1 Initial Program Proposal (IPP).

4.2.1.2 Preliminary Program Proposal (PPP).

4.2.1.3 Comprehensive Program Proposal (CPP).

4.3.1 At each step of the process, and before proceeding to the next step, the following endorsements and/or approvals are required:

4.3.1.1 Stage One: Initial Program Proposal (IPP)

4.3.1.1.1 Dean/Academic Manager.

4.3.1.1.2 Vice-President Academics.

4.3.1.1.3 President.

4.3.1.2 Stage Two: Preliminary Program Proposal (PPP)

4.3.1.2.1 CCC.

4.3.1.2.2 Dean/Academic Manager.

4.3.1.2.3 UCPDC.

4.3.1.2.4 Academic Council.

4.3.1.2.5 President.

4.3.1.2.6 Executive Committee of the Board.

4.3.1.3 Stage Three: Comprehensive Program Proposal (CPP)

4.3.1.3.1 CCC.

4.3.1.3.2 Dean/Academic Manager.

4.3.1.3.3 UCPDC.

4.3.1.3.4 Academic Council.

4.3.1.3.5 President.

4.3.1.3.6 Executive Committee of the Board.

4.3.1.3.7 Board.

4.4.1 All new academic Programs approved by the Board should be implemented, if not, should undergo Program Review before implementation.

4.4.2 An Annual Program Review must be conducted each year following implementation, as per the Program Review Policy (PL-AC-18).

4.4.3 A Cyclical Program Review must be conducted within five (5) years following implementation, and at least once every five (5) years following, as per the Program Review Policy (PL-AC-18).