PROGRAM REVIEW POLICY

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PROGRAM REVIEW POLICY

1.0 Definitions
1.1 The following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Assessment Activity: Program or Course embedded activity that measures the achievement of a Learning Outcome.
1.1.2 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.
1.1.3 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.
1.1.4 Academic Unit: An entity within the University that delivers Courses for Programs or for entry into Programs.
1.1.5 Academic Year: The 12-month period defined in the University's Academic Calendar, as approved by the Board.
1.1.6 Accreditation: Official recognition that an Academic Unit, Program or Course has met the established standards of quality set by an Accrediting Body.
1.1.7 Accrediting/Certifying Body: An organization that evaluates and formally recognizes that a Program or Course meets the established standards of quality.
1.1.8 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.
1.1.9 Annual Program Review Proposal (APRP): A document that outlines the Program's achievement of Student Learning Outcomes, Course Learning Outcomes, enrolment and retention rate, and recommended Curriculum Enhancements.
1.1.10 Board: The Board of Trustees of the University.
1.1.11 College Curriculum Committee (CCC): A college-level standing committee responsible for reviewing Curricular matters that have been endorsed by the Program Curriculum Committee (PCC).
1.1.12 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific Learning Outcomes.
1.1.13 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a Student can demonstrate immediately upon completion of a Course.
1.1.14 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.
1.1.15 Curricular: Courses of study offered by the University.
1.1.16 Curriculum: The subjects comprising a Course of study in a Program.
1.1.17 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.
1.1.18 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.
1.1.19 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.
1.1.20 Labor Market Analysis: An independent evaluation of the current and projected labor market demand for graduates in a specific occupational field.
1.1.21 Learning Outcomes: The knowledge, skills, and competencies that a Student can demonstrate upon completion of an educational activity, Course, or Program.
1.1.22 Learning Outcomes Assessment Report: A formal document that presents the findings, analysis, and outcomes of a Program’s Academic Assessment Activities.
1.1.23 Learning Sessions: Classes, labs, placements or work term prescribed by the Course.
1.1.24 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.
1.1.25 President: The President of the University.
1.1.26 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.
1.1.27 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.
1.1.28 Program Curriculum Committee (PCC): A program-level standing committee responsible for reviewing and endorsing Curricular matters.
1.1.29 Program Review: A process of periodic review and comprehensive assessment that provides enhancement to Program’s quality and contributes to Program's continuous improvement.
1.1.30 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.
1.1.31 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.
1.1.32 Stakeholder: Individuals or groups, both internal and external, who have an interest in or influence on the decisions, activities, and outcomes of the University.
1.1.33 Strategic Priority: An outcome-oriented, high-level aim to achieve the University’s Mission.
1.1.34 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit Course or who is designated by the University as a Student.
1.1.35 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): The knowledge, skills, and competencies a graduate can demonstrate immediately upon graduation.
1.1.36 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.
1.1.37 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.
2.0 Policy Purpose

2.1 The Policy governs the Annual Program Review and Cyclical Program Review of all approved Programs to:

2.1.1 Provide continuous quality improvement of Programs.

2.1.2 Ensure relevance of the Programs in maintaining currency with changing needs of the labour market.

2.1.3 Assist in effective and efficient planning, budgeting and decision making.

3.0 Policy Scope

3.1 This Policy applies to all Programs at the University.

4.0 Policy Statement(s)

4.1 Annual Program Review

4.1.1 Annual Program Review must be conducted each year following Program implementation to assess the Program's effectiveness in meeting objectives and goals.

4.1.2 It involves analyzing data such as Student enrollment, graduation rates, Learning Outcomes Assessment Reports, and resource adequacy.

4.1.3 It is used to identify areas for improvement and implement short-term adjustments for the following Academic Year.

4.2 Cyclical Program Review

4.2.1 Cyclical Program Review must be conducted within five (5) years following Program implementation, and at least once every five (5) years following implementation to assess the Program's overall quality and alignment with external trends.

4.2.2 It involves analyzing data such as Annual Program Review reports, the Program's alignment with institutional goals, Accreditation standards, and labor market demands.

4.2.3 It includes a Labor Market Analysis, a self-study, an external peer review, and the development of a strategic improvement plan.

4.2.4 It provides deeper insights into the Program and informs long-term, significant changes or reinvestments over multiple years.

4.2.5 All Cyclical Program Reviews must undergo external review, as defined in the relevant Program Review Procedure (PR-AC-18).

4.2.6 Where possible, a Cyclical Program Review is conducted one (1) year prior to the Accreditation cycle.

4.3 Program Alignment

4.4 All revised Programs must demonstrate a commitment to continuous quality improvement, stakeholder consultation, and alignment with relevant standards, including:

4.4.1 Qatar National Qualifications Framework.

4.4.2 National priorities in Research and education.

4.4.3 University mission and Strategic Priorities.

4.4.4 University’s Academic Programs Development Framework.

4.4.5 Labor Market Analysis.

4.4.6 Relevant Accreditation benchmarks.

4.4.7 Relevant Professional Association benchmarks.

4.5 Annual Program Review Stages

4.5.1 The Annual Program Review is undertaken through a systematic and structured evaluation process, resulting in an Annual Program Review Proposal, which is reviewed and approved per the applicable procedures.

4.6 Cyclical Program Review Stages

4.6.1 The Cyclical Program Review must proceed through two stages:

4.6.1.1 Stage One: Initiation of Cyclical Program Review (ICPR).

4.6.1.2 Stage Two: Cyclical Program Review Proposal (CPRP).

4.7 Cyclical Program Review Approval Stages

4.7.1 At each stage of review, and before proceeding to the next stage, the following endorsements and approvals are required:

4.7.1.1 Stage One: Initiation of Cyclical Program Review (ICPR):

4.7.1.1.1 Dean/Academic Manager.

4.7.1.1.2 Vice-President Academics.

4.7.1.2 Stage Two: Cyclical Program Review Proposal (CPRP):

4.7.1.2.1 PCC.

4.7.1.2.2 CCC.

4.7.1.2.3 Dean/Academic Manager.

4.7.1.2.4 UCPDC.

4.7.1.2.5 Academic Council.

4.7.1.2.6 President.

4.7.1.2.7 Board.

4.8 Annual and Cyclical Program Review and approval stages are detailed in the relevant Program Review Procedure (PR-AC-18).

5.0 Procedures

5.1 The Vice-President, Academics will ensure that procedures are developed for the execution of this policy and are implemented accordingly.

6.0 Related Documents

6.1 PL-AC-16: Program Accreditation and Certification Policy.

6.2 PL-AC-17: New Program Development and Approval Policy.

6.3 PL-AC-19: Curriculum Enhancement Policy.

6.4 PL-AC-29: Learning Outcomes Assessment Policy.

6.5 PR-AC-18: Program Review Procedure.

PL-AC-18: Program Review Policy ©
March 2025