QUALITY ASSURANCE POLICY

1.0   Definitions

1.1 The following words and expressions have the meanings hereby assigned to them:

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 Quality Standards: Standards stipulated in the University Requirements for the Development of academic Programs, as amended/updated from time to time.

1.1.3             Action Items: Output-oriented specific activities designed to achieve the Strategic Priorities in the Strategic Plan.

1.1.4             Alumni: Graduates of the University.

1.1.5             Board of Trustees (BOT): The Board of Trustees of the University.

1.1.6             Business Unit (BU): A function of the University headed by the President, Vice-president, Associate Vice-President, Director, Manager, Dean, Head, or Academic Manager, as the case may be.

1.1.7             Business Unit Effectiveness Report (BUER): A standardized Business Unit annual assessment document that evaluates the contribution of the BU s Strategic Initiatives, Operational Initiatives, BU SMART Objectives towards achieving the Strategic Plan and in alignment with NCQAA standards.

1.1.8             BU SMART Objectives: A Business Unit s annual, business-as-usual, specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) performance aim for core business operations, aligned to the respective BU Goal, which may align with the Strategic Plan Action Item.

1.1.9             Impact: Positive influence and/or contribution of the University s academic programs, research and services on its Stakeholders, relevant fields of study, local, regional, or international community as appropriate to its Mission and Strategic Priorities.

1.1.10         Institutional Effectiveness Framework (IEF): An approach that enables the University to evaluate its performance in alignment with its Mission and Strategic Priorities leading to continuous improvement.

1.1.11         Institutional Effectiveness Report (IER): A standardized annual institutional assessment document that evaluates and reports on the University s achievement of its stated Mission and strategic priorities efficiently and as planned, ensuring continuous improvement.

1.1.12         Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): A measurable variable or a tool that provides information about a particular condition; trend, input, process, output, or outcome, specifying what is measured and how.

1.1.13         UDST Mission: An actionable purpose statement that articulates what UDST does to attain the Vision and guides the Strategic Priorities, Action Items and Success Measures.

1.1.14         NCQAA: The National Committee for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation (NCQAA) established by the Council of Ministers Resolution 12 of the year 2022 dated on the 2nd of August 2022.

1.1.15         Operations: The overarching system, and macro-level processes that involves the coordination of activities and resources to achieve the university Mission and Strategic Priorities.

1.1.16         Operational Initiatives: A specific and well-defined BU project that directly leads to the achievement of BU Smart Objectives.

1.1.17         Opportunities: The potential for a positive outcome that can arise from uncertainty or risk.

1.1.18         Policy: A governing document, approved by the Board, that mandates or constrains actions; provides a standard or principle that governs the Operations of the university; supports its Mission and Strategic Priorities, ensures compliance with applicable State of Qatar laws and regulations, and reduces institutional risk. President: The President of the University, as nominated by the Board and appointed by the Minister of Education and Higher Education as President of the University.

1.1.19         Program: A prescribed set of Courses leading to a qualification, including a Certificate, Diploma (2 years), Advanced Diploma (3 years), Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate, according to the Qatar National Qualifications Framework.

1.1.20         QA-Related Activities: All activities related to defining, implementing evaluating, assuring, and improving the quality of the University Operations and Services.

1.1.21         Qatar National Qualifications Framework: the State of Qatar mandatory reference tool for identifying, classifying, and organizing national academic and vocational qualifications, according to gradation of learning levels.

1.1.22         Qatar Vision 2030: The Qatar National Vision, launched by the state of Qatar in 2008.

1.1.23         Quality Assurance: An ongoing, continuous process of evaluating (assessing, monitoring, maintaining, and improving) the quality of the University s Operations and Services.

1.1.24         Quality Management System (QMS): A formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving QMS Policy, and helps coordinate and direct the University s activities to meet Stakeholders and regulatory requirements and improve its effectiveness and efficiency on a continuous basis, as per ISO 9001:2015.

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

1.1.26         Researcher: An individual employed on a full-time or part-time basis with the University whose primary responsibility is to engage in research activities.

1.1.27         Risk Tolerance: The levels of risk-taking acceptable to achieve specific objectives or manage categories of risk.

1.1.28         Services: Provisions or assistance offered by the University to meet the needs of the University Community and external Stakeholders, as well as enhance the academic, professional and personal growth of the University Community.

1.1.29         Stakeholders: Individuals, groups, or entities, both internal and external, who are involved with, have an interest in, or influence over, the University s operations and outcomes.

1.1.30         Strategic Plan: A document that describes the Vision, Mission, Values, Strategic Priorities, Action Items and Success Measures and sets the future direction of the institution.

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

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

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

1.1.34         University Community: Staff and Students.

1.1.35         University Levels: Refer to the hierarchical structure within a University, encompassing governance, academic divisions, administrative units, administrative and professional Services, and Student Services. These levels ensure efficient management, academic excellence, and Student support.

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 will include the plural and vice-versa.

2.0       Policy Purpose

The purpose of the Quality Assurance (QA), Policy is to:

2.1    Foster a supportive QA culture.

2.2    Ensure the University's commitment to planned systematic Quality Assurance

management across all of its Operations and Services.

2.3    Emphasize the University's commitment to maintaining and enhancing excellence, including continuous review and improvement of Operations and Services.

2.4    Provide a framework for institutional effectiveness to ensure that quality permeates through all parts of the University's Operations and Services.

2.5    Ensure alignment with applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.

2.6    Meet the quality expectations of University Community and other key Stakeholders.

3.0           Policy Scope

3.1         This Policy applies to:

3.1.1           The University Community in all areas of its Operations and Services.

3.1.2           University Stakeholders as applicable.

4.0       Policy Statements

4.1 Quality Assurance Principles

The following principles provide guidance in implementing this Policy:

4.1.1       The University will strive to provide high-quality teaching, learning, research, and community engagement and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

4.1.2       The University will promote accessibility, inclusivity in all aspects of its Operations and Services, and ensure transparency in its decision-making and processes.

4.1.3       The University will ensure that Students are represented in governing bodies and participate in decision making, where appropriate.

4.1.4       The University will maintain and enhance Student engagement and satisfaction practices.

4.1.5       The University QA-Related Activities will include systematic mechanisms that provide confidence in meeting stakeholder expectations.

4.1.6       The University will ensure that QA-Related Activities occur at all University Levels and involve individuals across all functions.

4.1.7       QA-Related Activities will by design, consider:

4.1.7.1              Aligning with Qatar Vision 2030 and Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024-2030.

4.1.7.2              Complying with Qatar National Qualifications Framework.

4.1.7.3              Meeting the requirements, KPIs and targets stipulated in the University s bylaws, policies, procedures, plans, frameworks and/ or manuals as appropriate.

4.1.7.4              Complying with NCQAA Institutional and programmatic accreditation requirements.

4.1.7.5              Complying with professional bodies and programmatic accreditation requirements.

4.1.7.6              Aligning with local, regional, or global university ranking requirements, as appropriate.

4.1.8       QA-Related Activities will be data-driven, evidence-based, benchmarked, efficient, rigorous, transparent, and impartial.

4.1.9       Risk management will be an integral part of the university s QA- Related Activities.

4.2    General

The University will:

4.2.1             Meet the applicable legislative and regulatory requirements for its QA- Related Activities.

4.2.2             Ensure its core business of teaching, learning, research, and community engagement are designed to meet Stakeholder expectations.

4.2.3             Define the expected outcomes of Students and Alumni effective engagement and satisfaction.

4.2.4             Utilize the A-D-R-I model (Approach-Deployment-Result-Improvement) across all University Levels and Stakeholder to evaluate QA-Related Activities and drive continuous improvement as applicable.

4.2.5             Comply with all applicable legal, technical, and other requirements of ISO 9001:2015 standard and/or other acquired ISO certifications requirements as applicable.

4.2.6             Allocate appropriate resources, infrastructure, and support services necessary for its core business of teaching, learning, research, and community engagement as appropriate to the University s Mission and Strategic Priorities.

4.2.7             Utilize Impact assessment results to improve its academic offerings, research, scholarly work, Operations and Services to maximize positive Impact on its Stakeholders.

4.3    Quality Assurance Components:

4.3.1         General

All QA-Related Activities will

4.3.1.1              Align with the University Mission and Strategic Plan.

4.3.1.2              Demonstrate effectiveness and efficiency.

4.3.1.3              Align with Quality Assurance Principles.

4.3.1.4              Align with risk tolerance limit as per the University risk appetite.

4.3.1.5              Engage the University Community and other relevant stakeholder as necessary.

4.3.1.6              Lead to improvements that are data-informed using quantitative and qualitative KPIs.

4.3.1.7              Indicate responsible officer(s), measuring KPIs, timeline (as applicable), and relevant reference points (Policy, procedure etc).

4.3.2          Quality Assurance Governance

4.3.2.1              General

4.3.2.1.1      The Board of Trustees will provide clear Quality Assurance strategic direction for the University.

4.3.2.1.2      The President will have overall responsibility for overseeing the QA-Related Activities of the University.

4.3.2.1.3      All institutional Quality Assurance documentations including procedures, frameworks, manuals, and guidelines will be approved by the President, or his/her delegates at the appropriate level.

4.3.2.1.4      The University will have a quality assurance BU, as per the approved University organizational structure, responsible for regularly assessing its effectiveness in achieving its Mission and Strategic Priorities.

4.3.2.2              Academic Quality Assurance Governance

4.3.2.2.1      The Academic Council will be responsible for recommending to the President, academic Quality Standards, including the quality level of teaching, learning and research outcomes.

4.3.2.2.2      The Academic Council is responsible for recommending to the President strategies to enhance and continuously improve the academic Quality, Standards and relevant KPIs to meet the standards and the relevant external reference points.

4.3.2.2.3      All Committees at the Colleges and Directorate/Departments level will be responsible for overseeing Quality Assurance related matters at their level, where applicable.

4.3.2.2.4        The Academic Council will consider risks and Opportunities associated with Quality Assurance of academic programs.

4.3.3       Institutional effectiveness

4.3.3.1              The University is committed to annually evaluate its effectiveness and efficiency for continuous improvement.

4.3.3.2              The University will utilize an Institutional Effectiveness Framework (IEF) to demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency in fulfilling its Mission and strategic priorities.

4.3.3.3              Every Business Unit will annually evaluate its effectiveness through completing a Business Unit Effectiveness Report (BUER) as outlined in the IEF.

4.3.3.4              The University assesses and reports on its performance annually through an Institutional Effectiveness Report (IER), which is based on the BUERs from all Business Units as outlined in IEF.

4.3.3.5              Mechanism, metrics, and indicators for the Institutional Effectiveness evaluation stated in 4.3.3 will be stipulated in the relevant procedures.

4.3.4       Quality Assurance Review Cycle

4.3.4.1              Each Business Unit will be reviewed for effectiveness and efficiency cyclically every 4-5 years.

4.3.4.2              Each Program will be reviewed annually and cyclically every 5-6 years.

4.3.4.3              Each a Programs courses will be reviewed annually.

4.3.4.4              Each Division and/or Business Unit will develop plans for the implementation of the review cycles.

4.3.4.5              All Reviews referenced in 4.3.4 will be based on metrics and indicators appropriate to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the intended outcomes leading to plans for improvement.

4.3.5       Academic Program Quality Assurance Standards

4.3.5.1           The University will set the standards for academic program QA- Related Activities.

4.3.5.2           The standards outlined in section 4.3.5.1 will be utilized to evaluate the quality of the intended outcomes using established mechanism, metrics and indicators.

4.3.6        Accreditation

4.3.6.1       Programmatic Accreditation

4.3.6.1.1      The University will achieve and maintain accreditation from NCQAA and or from relevant accredited/recognized international accreditation agencies for its academic programs.

4.3.6.1.2      The President will oversee the achievement of the University s programmatic accreditations.

4.3.6.1.3      The VP, Academic, will lead the process of achieving the University s Programmatic accreditations.

4.3.6.1.4      Academic programs accreditation will lead to systematic evidence-based improvements on Students learning outcomes and graduates contributions to, and Impacts on the community.

4.3.6.2       Institutional Accreditation

4.3.6.2.1      The University will achieve and maintain institutional accreditation from NCQAA and strive to obtain accreditation/recognition from international accreditation agencies.

4.3.6.2.2      The President will oversee the achievement of the University s institutional accreditation(s).

4.3.6.2.3      The institutional Excellence Directorate will lead the process of achieving the University s institutional accreditation(s).

4.3.6.2.4      Institutional accreditation standards and indicators will be embedded in the Institutional Effectiveness Framework.

4.3.6.2.5      Institutional accreditation will lead to systematic evidence-based improvements.

4.3.7       Research Quality Assurance

4.3.7.1     The University will set clear expectation and strategies for the quality of Research and associated scholarly activities including success measures, targets and KPIs.

4.3.7.2     the University will regularly review the effectiveness and the Impact of its, Research and related scholarly activities, to guide continuous improvement, including improvement action plan.

4.3.7.3     The University will adopt a systematic and effective approach to developing and maintaining research-teaching linkages within programs.

4.3.7.4     The University will ensure that:

4.3.7.4.1      Undergraduate Students are involved in Research while pursuing their degrees.

4.3.7.4.2      Postgraduate Students undertake Research and/or appropriate professional practice and training experiences.

4.3.7.4.3      Its Institutional Review Board effectively oversees Research activities and ensure compliance with ethical standards.

4.3.7.4.4      Research is conducted according to the highest ethical standards.

4.3.7.4.5      There is a culture of Research ethics and integrity among the University Community.

4.3.7.4.6      It collaborates with other Higher Education Institutions on joint research projects, and with the industry on other leading applied research projects.

5.0       Procedures

5.1       The President will ensure that related procedures are developed for the execution of this policy and are implemented accordingly.

6.0               Related Documents

6.1       University Quality Management System (QMS) Procedures.

6.2       Quality Management System (QMS) Manual (UDST-QMS-MNL-01).

PL-GV-12: Quality Assurance Policy

March 2025