• CAA’s Standards of Licensure & Accreditation – 2019,
• Ministry of Education, Framework for the Compliance Inspection of Higher Education Institution – 2023
• ADEK, Re-Authorization of Higher Education Institutions in Abu Dhabi; Authorization of Substantive Changes at Higher Education Institutions in Abu Dhabi; Authorization of New Higher Education Programs in Abu Dhabi - 2023
• ADSM P 320 – Teaching and Learning Methodology
• ADSM P 316 – Course File Policy
• ADSM P 418 – Academic Integrity Policy
• ADSM P 301 – Grading and Assessment Policy
• ESG 2015 Standards – 1.1 Policy for Quality Assurance
• ESG 2015 Standards – 1.7 Information Management
• ESG 2015 Standards – 1.10 Cyclical External Quality Assurance

The purpose of this Policy is to:

1.1 Develop and maintain a process for the systematic evaluation and improvement of ADSM’s effectiveness in all areas of its operation and academic programs using Critical Self-Evaluation Reports (CSERs).

1.2 Establish an annual cycle of internal quality review designed to evaluate the conformity of all units to the processes, procedures and policies.

1.3 Guide the development of unit goals (academic and administrative) and performance indicators.

1.4 Guide the development of objectives/measures and action plans that support budget request.

1.5 Guide the development of additional objectives, measures and achievement targets to meet accreditation/licensure requirements.

1.6 Guide the process of quality assurance and continuous quality enhancement.

2.1 This policy applies to all ADSM’s units and employees.

The following definition(s) apply to this policy:

3.1 Quality Assessment: one or more processes to identify, collect and prepare data to evaluate the attainment of established outcomes or objectives.

3.2 Quality Assurance: the processes used by ADSM to determine how well it is accomplishing its mission and adhering to the laws and regulations related to Higher Education in the UAE. It aims to maintain the required level of quality in functions or services, or their output related to academic and administrative aspects.

4.1 ADSM seeks to demonstrate its commitment to quality assurance. This shall be evident in ADSM’s systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of its operations and shall include the School’s academic programs and administrative services. ADSM shall ensure that the evaluation is evidence-based and benchmarked against local and international best practices and standards. ADSM shall utilize the evaluation outcomes in planning and improving its offerings.

5.1 None.

6.1 Quality Assurance (QA) is the process by which ADSM ensures its ability to effectively meet its Mission and Strategic Objectives.

6.2 Quality Assurance at ADSM aims to continuously improve the School’s in all aspects of operations, academic and non-academic.

6.3 Quality Assurance shall support all units in defining outcomes that cascade from the School’s Mission and Strategic Objectives.

6.4 All units at ADSM shall be strategically aligned with the School’s Strategic Objectives.

6.5 Educational Program outcomes shall be subject to an annual cycle of Quality Assurance evaluation.

6.6 The Quality Assurance assessment cycle through the Critical Self Evaluation Reports (CSER), the Quality Improvement Action Plans (QIAP), the Internal Quality Reviews (IQR) and the Operational Plans (OP) will evaluate how effectively pre-set outcomes are achieved within the year.

6.7 The outcomes of the Quality Assessment cycle are utilized to identify gaps in effectiveness or efficiency of functions and service and to propose necessary amendments that continuously improve academic programs and administrative services.

6.8 Quality Assessment is defined as the methodical collection, review and utilization of information related to programs, processes, procedures to enhance student learning experiences and effectiveness of provisions.

6.9 Institutional Quality Assessment at ADSM aims to methodically review the School’s Mission and Objectives via continuous planning and evaluation to continuously improve quality. Specifically, assessment aims to:

  6.9.1 Provide information to improve student learning experiences and outcomes.

  6.9.2 Provide information on programs accountability.

  6.9.3 Provide information to improve administrative and governance aspects.

6.10 Quality Assurance process will utilize local and international benchmarking of best practices as possible.

6.11 Institutional Quality Assessment mainly aims to enhance all aspects of governance that directly impact student experiences.

6.12 The Quality Assurance process must be simple, achievable, and consistent with the School’s mission, institutional planning processes and unit objectives.

6.13 Quality Assessment is a continuous and cyclic activity assigned to offices, units and individuals with responsibility for relevant units and programs and a schedule of regular reporting and review.

6.14 Institutional Quality Assessment is continuous, ethical, effective, appropriate, methodical and valid.

6.15 Regarding students’ learning, Institutional Quality Assessment shall attend to the cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects.

6.16 Faculty members are responsible for Quality Assurance concerning assessment of activities in their courses. The Director of Academic Programs and Academic Deans are responsible for the Quality Assurance for assessment activities in programs. The outcomes of these activities shall impact planning.

  6.16.1 The Teaching and Learning Methodology, Course File, Academic Integrity and Grading and Assessment Policies are under the ownership of the Academic Deans, as applicable, and govern the Quality Assurance of teaching and learning, course files, course assessments and academic integrity within ADSM’s programs.

6.17 Reports or equivalents, improvements resulting from regular and continuous quality assessments should show how these improvements are used in institutional planning.

6.18 The strengthening and improvement of programs by ADSM are enhanced by the findings of the continuous quality assessment activities. This is mainly for the purpose of improving student learning.

6.19 Institutional Quality Assessment findings are used to improve student experiences.

6.20 ADSM shall embed Quality Assessment in its units, programs, and all other services.

6.21 ADSM shall ensure that faculty and staff are continuously informed about the quality assessment process.

The Quality Assurance and Risk Management Office (QARMO) will conduct the following:

7.1 Maintain and up-to-date and approved Quality Assurance Manual.

7.2 Ensure that the unit is staffed by personnel with the qualifications and experience to successfully complete their responsibilities.

7.3 Maintain an annual whole organization Quality Improvement Action Plan of its own performance.

7.4 Provide an annual Report to the Ministry of Education.

7.5 Utilize the results from multiple types of surveys to impact and/or plan for improvements. 

7.6 Ensure that an annual program Critical Self-Evaluation Report is conducted by each academic program.

7.7 Ensure that all records related to courses delivered are maintained digitally and include a Critical Self-Evaluation Report after each course delivery.

7.8 Maintain a Critical Self-Evaluation Report on the operations of all administrative units, including the monitoring of its improvement plan.

7.9 Maintain an annual Critical Self-Evaluation Report of any contractual agreements and monitor its improvement action plan.

7.10           Publish the student satisfaction results in ADSM’s annual Critical Self-Evaluation Report and benchmark the results of other institutions in the UAE when available.

7.11           Use the results of student outcomes data, including but not limited to graduation, retention, and attendance rates, to action plan and monitor improvements.

7.12           Develop and implement an Internal Quality Review IQR document in support of the units to evaluate the compliance of the units with established policies, processes, procedures, and external applicable Standards when necessary.

7.13           Share IQR outcomes with the relevant unit for resolution. Unresolved recommendations must be included in the subsequent CSER until all actions are resolved. 

  7.13.1           Through the provision of training, QARMO must ensure that its quality assurance and accountability tools are understood and effectively utilized by all units for efficient implementation.

  7.13.2           Training should be provided for all units, faculty, students and, where necessary, the senior management on the implemented Quality Assurance tools and their benefit to quality assurance.

7.14 Regularly monitor and evaluate the inputs made by each unit related to the QIAP and OP.

8.1 The President shall cause this policy to be implemented.

8.2 The Director of Quality Assurance & Risk Management shall monitor implementation and report violations.