““Quality assurance for technical education Quality assurance for technical education in Jordan / Engineering Educationin Jordan / Engineering Education” ”

Funded ByFunded By

European Training Foundation - Tempus European Training Foundation - Tempus departmentdepartment

Project Title:Project Title:

Project consortium:Project consortium:

Jordan Jordan Ministry of Higher Education & Ministry of Higher Education & Jordan University of Science & Jordan University of Science & Technology (JUST)Technology (JUST)

Sweden - KTHSweden - KTHSwedish National Agency for Higher Swedish National Agency for Higher EducationEducation

   ItalyItalyUniversity di Torino University di Torino 

We have been informed by Ministry of We have been informed by Ministry of Higher Education that a good opportunity Higher Education that a good opportunity exists for funding a worthwhile and well exists for funding a worthwhile and well

addressed proposals from TEMPUSaddressed proposals from TEMPUS

A good newsA good news

Good Proposal =Good Proposal = Good Idea + Good PlanGood Idea + Good Plan

First:First:The proposal should be written for the The proposal should be written for the benefit of MHE &JUST as well as for the benefit of MHE &JUST as well as for the funding body “TEMPUS” .funding body “TEMPUS” .

There are two vital facts to bear in mind before There are two vital facts to bear in mind before starting proposal writing : starting proposal writing :

So we have to be concern about the development So we have to be concern about the development of meaningful cooperative relationships between of meaningful cooperative relationships between

European Commission and JordanEuropean Commission and Jordan

Second:Second:The selection committee members have The selection committee members have to read hundreds of proposals seeking to read hundreds of proposals seeking support, so we have short time to grab our support, so we have short time to grab our reader's attention. reader's attention.

Therefore, a well-formulated problem should be Therefore, a well-formulated problem should be addressed addressed

CHOOSING A TOPICCHOOSING A TOPIC::

Choosing a topic that is interesting to Faculty of Choosing a topic that is interesting to Faculty of Engineering but also of more general interest to Engineering but also of more general interest to all partners is a key part of the overall assignmentall partners is a key part of the overall assignment

We decided to choose a case for support which We decided to choose a case for support which helps us in conducting our mission efficiently. helps us in conducting our mission efficiently.

What we want to do first?What we want to do first?

The Main Mission of Faculty of The Main Mission of Faculty of Engineering is:Engineering is:

To implement a suitable strategy To implement a suitable strategy which enable the achievement of the which enable the achievement of the following Objectives:following Objectives:

CurriculumCurriculum development development •Continuous improvement ofContinuous improvement of teaching and teaching and learninglearning performance .performance .

•Better experiential learning environments Better experiential learning environments which to be provided bywhich to be provided by laboratories and laboratories and workshopsworkshops

•Using an effectiveUsing an effective assessmentassessment methods to methods to determine thedetermine the qualityquality of the learning process.of the learning process.

What do we need ? What do we need ?

We need a framework for ensuring the quality We need a framework for ensuring the quality of of teaching and learningteaching and learning and to establish a and to establish a suitable system for suitable system for accreditationaccreditation of programs of programs and courses in our faculty.and courses in our faculty.

This is a professional development and team type projectThis is a professional development and team type project

Is it necessary to apply for the

project?

NO

•The paperwork is killingThe paperwork is killing

•Running a large project is very Running a large project is very complexcomplex

•Writing a proposal is expensiveWriting a proposal is expensive

•We never know if we will get the We never know if we will get the moneymoney

Let’s ask ourselves :Let’s ask ourselves :

Because

A great emphasis, has been shown A great emphasis, has been shown recently, by Ministry of Higher recently, by Ministry of Higher Education on :Education on :

• program evaluation,program evaluation,• curricula monitoring, curricula monitoring, • quality assurancequality assurance • accreditationaccreditation

This is due to the continuous increase This is due to the continuous increase in the number of local universities, in the number of local universities, private institutions and enrollmentprivate institutions and enrollment

YES

Why we want to do it?

•Is it an important Is it an important problem whose problem whose

solution will have solution will have a useful effectsa useful effects ? ?

YESYESNONO

The higher education The higher education system at Jordan has been system at Jordan has been adopted to meet the local adopted to meet the local and regional needs and at and regional needs and at the same time , to assure the same time , to assure that the education system that the education system will be a major national will be a major national asset, a source of national asset, a source of national security and the emerging security and the emerging characteristic that shifts characteristic that shifts Jordan to the status of aJordan to the status of a developed countries developed countries

Find out the problem, Find out the problem, objectives and methodsobjectives and methods

It is limited to: It is limited to: 1.1. Student evaluation of the courseStudent evaluation of the course at the at the

end of each semesterend of each semester2- 2- Evaluation reportsEvaluation reports prepared prepared by the Head by the Head

of the departments & the Dean when the of the departments & the Dean when the staff applied for promotion.staff applied for promotion.

Quality assurance of teaching, program evaluation, staff appraisal and assessment in

the Jordanian universities is conducted internally.

****1 1 These are not sufficient to evaluate These are not sufficient to evaluate the staff, academic and teaching the staff, academic and teaching

performanceperformance

****2 2 still, most of the staff in public Universities still, most of the staff in public Universities believe that, there is so far no need for believe that, there is so far no need for accreditation to their programsaccreditation to their programs,, because, because, public universities have been steered for a public universities have been steered for a long time centrally by the MHE which has a long time centrally by the MHE which has a big say in the recognition of Higher big say in the recognition of Higher Education programs and the degrees to be Education programs and the degrees to be delivered. delivered.

The majority have agreed upon that, there is The majority have agreed upon that, there is a need for better internal quality assessment; a need for better internal quality assessment; butbut ****33 only a few believe in external quality only a few believe in external quality assessment and accreditation.assessment and accreditation.

However, international developments can not be However, international developments can not be neglected. neglected.

we see an emphasis on accreditation due towe see an emphasis on accreditation due to the the global establishment of many private global establishment of many private institutions for higher education , students institutions for higher education , students exchanges and students mobility.exchanges and students mobility.

In the near future it might be not possible to In the near future it might be not possible to look at quality in a national framework only.look at quality in a national framework only. **4 An international dimension An international dimension may be may be need need not not only only to validate national standards to validate national standards but but also for assessment and accreditationalso for assessment and accreditation..

Specific objective:Specific objective:

To develop a framework for ensuring quality To develop a framework for ensuring quality of higher education and establishing a system of higher education and establishing a system for accreditation of programs and courses in for accreditation of programs and courses in technical universities at Jordantechnical universities at Jordan

A proposal could be written to address a well formulated

problem

YES, we can solve the problem faster and with less cost

Can we lunch the program without external help?

Qualified staff

Financial resources

NO, due to the lack of

Staff costs Travel & stay costs

Equipment Other costs

Lack of financial resources

estimated total cost

How much we can offer? + -

Needed budget ?

Totally Partially

Training programs

Experience is needed

Knowledge is needed

Lack of qualified staff

Training abroad

Training programs

Training locally

We have a Case for Support, the project is definitely needed and should be funded so we can start writing the

proposal

The most basic composition of a proposal is simple , The most basic composition of a proposal is simple , it needs:it needs:1- A beginning (the introduction)1- A beginning (the introduction)2- A middle ( the body of the material to be presented) 2- A middle ( the body of the material to be presented) 3- An end ( the conclusion and recommendation) 3- An end ( the conclusion and recommendation)

The INTRODUCTION summarizesThe INTRODUCTION summarizes : :

• The problems we intended to solve The problems we intended to solve • The solutions to that problems and benefits to be The solutions to that problems and benefits to be • received from the solutionsreceived from the solutions• The cost of that solutionsThe cost of that solutions

The body explains : The body explains :

• The details of the solution. The details of the solution. • What method will be used. What method will be used. • The required material, personal and equipment.The required material, personal and equipment.• When the work will begin and when the job will be When the work will begin and when the job will be completed.completed.• The detailed cost for the entire job. The detailed cost for the entire job.

Size of Engineering Education SystemSize of Engineering Education System - - Engineers employment records for the year 2002 [6] Engineers employment records for the year 2002 [6] (Population =100%)(Population =100%)::  •Total number of Jordanian engineers Total number of Jordanian engineers 5063250632

•Rate of engineers to HE personsRate of engineers to HE persons 10.33% 10.33% •Rate of Engineers to populationRate of Engineers to population 0.95%0.95%•Rate of employed engineersRate of employed engineersto populationto population 0.85%0.85%•Rate of unemployed engineersRate of unemployed engineers to populationto population 0.1%0.1%•Rate of unemployed to employed Rate of unemployed to employed EngineersEngineers 11.8%11.8%•Rate of Engineers to persons Rate of Engineers to persons employed in industry employed in industry 8.75%8.75%  

Output/Outcomes:Output/Outcomes:

• The project will be implemented as a structural measure pilot project The project will be implemented as a structural measure pilot project in 1-year period. Following outcomes will be produced:in 1-year period. Following outcomes will be produced:

• The report on the experience on introduction of quality control and The report on the experience on introduction of quality control and accreditation for courses and programs in European countries is accreditation for courses and programs in European countries is prepared and made available for all interested parties in Jordanprepared and made available for all interested parties in Jordan

• The system for quality control is developed and applied for 5 selected The system for quality control is developed and applied for 5 selected pilot courses from the newly introduced study programs in JUSTpilot courses from the newly introduced study programs in JUST

• International conference “Quality control and accreditation of higher International conference “Quality control and accreditation of higher education” is organised in Jordan education” is organised in Jordan

• Recommendation for implementing quality control and accreditation Recommendation for implementing quality control and accreditation at university level is developed in cooperation with the Ministry of at university level is developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Education of JordanEducation of Jordan

• The practical seminar “Introduction of quality control and The practical seminar “Introduction of quality control and accreditation for technical accreditation for technical

• ActivitiesActivities  

Visit of Swedish and Spanish partners to Jordan for kick-Visit of Swedish and Spanish partners to Jordan for kick-off meeting. The meeting will include following off meeting. The meeting will include following activities:activities:

a.a. Appointing project coordinators in Jordan, Sweden Appointing project coordinators in Jordan, Sweden and Italyand Italy

b.b. Acquaintance with current situation with quality Acquaintance with current situation with quality assurance and accreditation in higher education in assurance and accreditation in higher education in JordanJordan

c.c. Meeting at the Ministry of Education of Jordan with Meeting at the Ministry of Education of Jordan with persons working with quality assurance and persons working with quality assurance and accreditation of higher technical educationaccreditation of higher technical education

d.d. Forming the project team in Jordan for the project Forming the project team in Jordan for the project implementationimplementation

1.1. Study visit to Sweden and Italy for getting necessary Study visit to Sweden and Italy for getting necessary information concerning implementation of quality assurance, information concerning implementation of quality assurance, accreditation and standardization of higher education at accreditation and standardization of higher education at university and institutional level. university and institutional level.

2.2. Preparing the report concerning experience of EU partners in Preparing the report concerning experience of EU partners in quality assurance and accreditation of technical programs and quality assurance and accreditation of technical programs and coursescourses

3.3. Organising international conference “Quality control and Organising international conference “Quality control and accreditation of higher technical education” in Jordanaccreditation of higher technical education” in Jordan

4.4. Developing recommendations on implementation of quality Developing recommendations on implementation of quality assurance and accreditation of higher technical education in assurance and accreditation of higher technical education in Jordan Jordan

5.5. Performing pilot application of developed quality control and Performing pilot application of developed quality control and accreditation system for 5 selected courses from new programs, accreditation system for 5 selected courses from new programs, developed in the framework of Tempus projectsdeveloped in the framework of Tempus projects

6.6. Organising the practical seminar “Introduction of quality Organising the practical seminar “Introduction of quality control and accreditation for technical disciplines in Jordan control and accreditation for technical disciplines in Jordan universities”universities”

•   8.8. Coordination and management activitiesCoordination and management activitiesa.a. Coordination meetings of the appointed project coordinatorsCoordination meetings of the appointed project coordinatorsb.b. Assigning responsible persons for all project activitiesAssigning responsible persons for all project activitiesc.c. Producing activity reports within 2-weeks after finishing the Producing activity reports within 2-weeks after finishing the

activityactivityd.d. Preparing progress reports and the final project report and Preparing progress reports and the final project report and

submitting them to Tempussubmitting them to Tempuse.e. Day-by-day coordination and management using e-mail and Day-by-day coordination and management using e-mail and

phone.phone.

The CONCLUSION should emphasize : The CONCLUSION should emphasize :

The benefits that the reader will realize from The benefits that the reader will realize from the solution .the solution .

Funding this project will help in implementing a Funding this project will help in implementing a suitable strategy which enable Jordan suitable strategy which enable Jordan Universities to achieve the following themes:Universities to achieve the following themes:

1.1. curriculumcurriculum reform to ensure that students reform to ensure that students have opportunities to develop the knowledge, have opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and adaptation to new situationsskills and adaptation to new situations

2. - improved 2. - improved teaching and learningteaching and learning necessary for necessary for deep understanding of technical information deep understanding of technical information and self learning skills.and self learning skills.

3 - - experiential learning environments provided 3 - - experiential learning environments provided by by laboratories and workshops laboratories and workshops

4. - effective 4. - effective assessmentassessment methods to determine methods to determine quality and improve the learning process. quality and improve the learning process.