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Standing Committee on Graduate Studies and Programs
Overview
A specialized committee concerned with studying, developing, and creating postgraduate programs and curricula at Qassim University, in a manner that achieves the university's objectives, enhances the quality of academic programs, and keeps pace with scientific developments and labor market requirements, in accordance with the regulations and bylaws governing postgraduate studies.
Committee Objectives
- Developing curricula for postgraduate programs that keep pace with scientific advancements.
- Studying and developing qualitative postgraduate programs that meet the needs of society and the labor market.
- Improving the quality and enhancing the efficiency of academic programs.
- Aligning programs with academic accreditation requirements and the National Qualifications Framework.
- Support the achievement of the university's objectives and the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the field of education and scientific research.
- Enhance the continuous improvement of academic programs and their outcomes.
Organizational structure
Committee Mandates
- Study of proposals for the establishment of new graduate programs.
- Study of requests for development and modification of existing study plans and programs.
- Review of justifications for establishing programs and their compatibility with development needs and the labor market.
- Review of study plans, program and course descriptions, and learning outcomes.
- Check if programs meet quality and academic accreditation requirements.
- Raising necessary recommendations regarding the adoption, development, or modification of programs.
- Follow up on the implementation of recommendations and coordinate with relevant parties.
Principles of Work in the Committee
- Adherence to postgraduate studies regulations and bylaws.
- Transparency and objectivity in the study of applications.
- Justice and equal opportunity for all programs submitted.
- Cooperation and integration with colleges and academic departments to develop new academic programs that keep pace with the labor market and its requirements.
- Continuous improvement and adoption of best practices.
- Quality and excellence in all committee work and the introduction of programs that suit the university's reputation.
Committee Services
Study of requests for the establishment of postgraduate programs.
Study of software development requests and study plans.
Reviewing study plans and providing technical feedback.
Provide recommendations regarding academic programs.
Support colleges in meeting quality and accreditation requirements.
Contributing to the improvement of the efficiency and quality of graduate programs.
How does the committee hold its meetings?
The committee holds its meetings periodically according to an approved schedule, and extraordinary meetings may be held when necessary upon the invitation of the committee chairman. The meetings discuss the topics included in the relevant electronic form, including requests for program development and curriculum planning. The committee makes its recommendations after study and discussion in accordance with the governing systems and regulations, and then the meeting minutes are documented, and the recommendations are submitted to the competent authorities to complete the necessary procedures.
How does the committee work?
The committee receives requests for program creation or curriculum development from colleges through the electronic form. It then reviews the fulfillment of regulatory requirements and studies the requests from academic and technical aspects. It discusses these requests in its meetings and issues its recommendations to be forwarded to the competent authorities to complete the procedures. This moves to a number of stages that conclude with approval and implementation in accordance with approved regulations and bylaws.
Reception
The committee receives applications and files referred to it by the administration or relevant authorities.
Study and evaluation
The Technical Secretariat studies the files and prepares explanatory memos that are submitted to the members before the meeting.
Deliberation
Members discuss files in regular or emergency meetings and reach decisions or recommendations.
Submit for approval
The minutes and recommendations are submitted to the university president for approval.
Follow-up
The committee follows up on the implementation of approved decisions and monitors their results.
Annual Report
The committee submits a comprehensive report at the end of the fiscal year that reviews its most important work and achievements.
Evidence and Models
Standing Committee for Plans and Programs Models
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the application submitted?
What documents are required when submitting the application?
What happens if the data or attachments are incomplete?
How do I know the order has been received?
Can the order be modified after it has been sent?
If the request needs to be amended, the submitting party will be contacted to complete or update the information before it is presented to the committee.
How long does it take to study the request?
The application processing time depends on the completeness of the documents, the type of application, and the committee meeting schedule.
Does committee approval mean final program approval?
No, the committee's recommendation represents one stage of the accreditation process, and then the systemic procedures are completed with the relevant authorities at the university.
How can I track the status of my order?
The order can be followed up through the submitting entity, or via the communication method indicated in the electronic form.
What is the main role of the University Permanent Committee for Graduate Study Plans and Programs?
The committee is concerned with studying, developing, and establishing postgraduate programs and study plans for all university faculties. It aims to enhance the quality of academic programs and align them with scientific developments, the requirements of the labor market, and the Kingdom's Vision 2030. It also ensures that they meet the standards for academic accreditation and the National Qualifications Framework before they are submitted for final approval.
What are the basic services the committee provides to colleges and academic departments?
The committee offers a package of regulatory and technical services, most notably:
- Study of requests for the establishment of new postgraduate programs (Higher Diploma, Master's, Doctorate).
- Study requests for developing or modifying existing programs and study plans.
- Reviewing program and course descriptions and providing technical feedback on them.
- Providing technical and consultative support to colleges to meet quality and accreditation requirements.
How can a college or academic department apply for the creation or development of a program?
From the academic department and then the college council, the request and its documents are officially submitted to the committee via “the dedicated electronic form,” and the technical secretariat of the committee receives the request and verifies the completeness of its legal justifications before including it on the committee's agenda.
What are the stages a request goes through from submission to a committee until its approval?
The order goes through a series of standardized stages to ensure its quality:
- Reception and confirmation of meeting requirements: Review of documents and plans via the electronic form.
- Technical and academic study: review of justifications, study plans, course descriptions, and learning outcomes.
- Discussion at the Committee Meeting: Making the Appropriate Recommendation (Adoption, Amendment, or Further Action).
- Referral to the competent authorities: The committee's report and recommendations are to be referred to the authorized person to complete the final approval procedures and commence implementation.
What are the principles and standards that govern the mechanism for reviewing applications within the committee?
The committee's work is based on firm principles that ensure excellence, which are: full commitment to the regulations and bylaws governing postgraduate studies, transparency and objectivity in evaluating plans, achieving fairness and equal opportunities among all programs, and keenness to promote partnership and integration with colleges and departments to support continuous improvement.
What are the most prominent aspects the committee focuses on when reviewing justifications for the establishment of a new program?
The committee focuses precisely on:
- The actual need of the labor market and national development for the proposed specialization.
- Aligning the Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Framework.
- Program differentiation and benchmarking against local, regional, and international programs.
- The availability of human resources (faculty) and material resources in the college to ensure program sustainability.
How and when does the committee hold its meetings? Can urgent requests be considered?
The committee holds its meetings periodically and regularly according to a pre-approved schedule during the academic year to discuss the listed topics. In necessary and urgent cases, extraordinary meetings may be held upon the invitation of the committee chairman to consider requests that require quick completion.