KSU-Toward Accreditation

1. KSU-Toward Accreditation Institutional Accreditation Visit by the NCAAA 22-26 May 2010 8-13جمادى ثاني 1431

2. Timeline of the Institutional Accreditation Process

3. Some Major Milestones Since 2007

4. Vision • To be a world-class university and a leader in building the knowledge-based society. Mission To provide distinctive education, produce creative research, serve the society and contribute in building the knowledge-based economy and community through learning, a creative thinking environment, an optimal use of technology, and effective local and international partnerships. New Mission and Vision Note: The Mission and Vision of KSU has to be familiar and absorbed by all KSU’s members.

5. Strategic Objectives

6. The Overall Ratings of the 11 Standards

7. Standard 1. Mission and Objectives (****) Summary King Saud University is: Realigning its mission and objectives to reflect the University’s drive in becoming a world-class university and a leader in building a knowledge-based society Raising awareness of its developmental changes within both the academic community and the general public Encouraging both faculty and students to develop closer ties with the surrounding community Strengths Government support (financial and political) An expanding university infrastructure Greater support from prominent businessmen Endowment projects Partnerships with renown international institutes

8. Standard 1. Mission and Objectives (****) Areas Requiring Improvement Encouraging upperclassmen and graduate students to promote the University’s new vision among freshmen Networking between seniors and alumni Reducing the student-to-faculty ratio (e.g., the humanities) Priorities for Action Providing support for the KSU 2030 Strategic Plan Forging closer ties with the community

9. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #1

10. Standard 2. Governance and Administration (****) Summary Improved management and administrative structure Leadership receives periodic retraining and performance evaluations Deanships’ open door policy Increased female participation in decision-making Strengths Honoring outstanding employees and students ISO 9001-2008 certification Open-door policy

11. Standard 2. Governance and Administration (****) Areas Requiring Improvement Interdepartmental communication Studies on organizational climate and job satisfaction Risk assessment Priorities for Action Establishing periodic studies to assess the male-female organizational structure, the work environment, and job satisfaction Developing a plan for the management responsibilities at the two female centers allowing more delegation of administrative and financial responsibilities

12. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #2

13. Summary • 2007 — Strategic Quality Plan is developed • 2008–2009 — Workshops and seminars disseminate quality knowledge practices • June 2009 — The KSU – QMS Handbook is finalized and QMS training begins • Strengths • The development of quality assurance systems • E-QMS and the push towards digitizing quality management data Standard 3. Management of Quality Assurance and Improvement (***)

14. Areas Requiring Improvement Calculating and monitoring specific Key Performance Indicators Analyzing statistics as the basis for continuous improvement Integrating evaluation and planning for quality improvement into the administrative process Priorities for Action Ensuring that all departments understand and begin using the KSU – QMS by the end of 2010 Ensuring that a more defined set of KPIs is finalized and that the performance measures are enacted by the end of 2011 Ensuring that by the end of 2011 the annual KSU development budget is aligned with the 2030 University Strategic Plan Standard 3. Management of Quality Assurance and Improvement (***)

15. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #3

16. Summary Recruitment of highly qualified faculty members Resources for faculty members to remain abreast on the latest developments Directorate of Assessment and Institutional Studies (DAIS) Strengths Talented faculty members who value excellence in teaching and learning Preparatory Year plays an important role in developing students’ soft skills The development of systematic approaches to measure students’ learning outcomes KSU offers strong, well developed systems to support and recognize good teaching The Teaching and Learning Strategic Plan is near completion Standard 4. Learning and Teaching (****)

17. Areas Requiring Improvement Specifying and documenting all degree and discipline-specific objectives Enacting a systematic approach to program evaluation and review at the departmental level Improving student advising and counseling services A Teaching and Learning Strategic Plan is needed (currently in progress) Student achievements at KSU Priorities for Action Monitoring students’ progress and measuring their learning outcomes Providing adequate academic support services Enhancing teaching and learning effectiveness Developing a plan to promote research-enhanced learning and teaching Reducing the student-to-faculty ratio, especially in the humanities A Graduate Studies Strategic Plan is in the process of being formulated Standard 4. Learning and Teaching (****)

18. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #4

19. Summary • Although satisfactory levels of performance are normally achieved throughout the main components of this standard, there is room for improvement in the examined scales. • Strengths • Confidentiality of student records • Students can file grievances without fear of reprisal • Policies are in place to evaluate long-term trends and student perceptions Standard 5. Student Administration and Support Services (***)

20. Areas Requiring Improvement Student advisory system and more academic advisors Setting up electronic communication links between advisors and students Improving automated procedures for monitoring student progress Priorities for Action Improving student admissions and registration standards Improving information transparency for students Automating the generation of statistical data Tracking student evaluations to ensure greater customer satisfaction Standard 5. Student Administration and Support Services (***)

21. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #5

22. Summary • The implementation of Information Technology (IT), including: • Building a digital library • Enhancing the website with interactive features • Providing a comprehensive information literacy program • Strengths • Accessibility of learning resources • Library system is among the best in the KSA and Gulf region • Website ranks in the top 200 of the world’s best academic websites • Expanded library hours Standard 6. Learning Resources (***)

23. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #6

24. Summary Strategic plan’s enhancement of planning for facilities and equipment Construction and modernization projects Major IT projects like Edugate and MADAR Strengths Adoption of the University’s Strategic Plan University-wide projects for facilities and equipment construction and expansion IT systems upgrades (hardware, internet bandwidth, workstations) Smart classroom equipment in 824 classrooms and lecture halls Learning Management System (LMS) and E-Learning portal Serving the needs of students with disabilities Standard 7. Facilities and Equipment (****)

25. Areas Requiring Improvement • End-user participation in university planning • Continuous assessments of equipment usage • Monitoring the quality of maintenance services • Workstations and network capabilities • Handling emergencies • Centralizing the management of information kiosks. • Priorities for Action • Periodic reports on facilities and equipment usage • Upgrading the security & emergency systems • Expanding network bandwidth • Implementing an electronic maintenance portal • Providing more computers to end-users • Establish an acceptable user-to-workstations ratio Standard 7. Facilities and Equipment (****)

26. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #7

27. Summary The University budget and resource allocation process reflects its mission and goals guided by the five-year plan. Although the state-allocated budget is the largest component of KSU’s income, the University is developing strategies to diversify its revenue sources. Strengths Government support Generating income from non-governmental sources Clearly defined finances Internal and external audits Dedicated management eager to shape KSU into one of the best universities in the region Standard 8. Financial Planning and Management (****)

28. Areas Requiring Improvement • Cost centers for each organizational unit • Cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses • Financial planning with independently verified risk assessment analyses • Female centers’ involvement in budget preparation • Priorities for Action • Embark on formal cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses • The financial planning processes should include independently verified risk assessments • The female centers should be engaged more in the process of budget preparation and allocation to reflect the University plan’s objectives of increasing female staff involvement at all levels of the decision-making process. Standard 8. Financial Planning and Management (****)

29. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #8

30. Summary • The University has established joint post-graduate programs in collaboration with leading international universities in the U.K. and Australia • Students receive practical advice from industry professionals • The introduction of research chairs and endowment programs are expected to provide new income resources • Strengths • Well-developed employment strategies • Establishment of the Haleef program • Private sector experts as part of the curriculum • External joint supervision program for female teaching assistants and lecturers • Research chairs and endowments Standard 9. Faculty and Staff Employment Process (***)

31. Areas Requiring Improvement • Staff performance evaluation processes • Some remaining pay-scale inequities • Scarcity of qualified teaching staff at the Oleisha center • Evaluating the impact of workshops on faculty and staff • Procedures for dealing with staff members’ complaints • Priorities for Action • Establishing a staffing profile that is appropriate to the University mission • Implementing unified employment conditions for all employees Standard 9. Faculty and Staff Employment Process (***)

32. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #9

33. Summary • Increasing numbers of Research Chairs, Centers of Excellence for Research, and Research Institutes • A growing number of high quality publications (SI-ranked) • Research labs have been upgraded and more advanced equipment has been made available to researchers. • Strengths • Increased Research Centers’ annual budget • The establishment of the endowment Program • Launching programs by the Deanship of Scientific Research (e.g., Da’im and Ra’id) • Technology Transfer Unit (including Riyadh Techno Valley, the Innovation Center / Incubator, Intellectual Property and Licensing Technology) Standard 10. Research (***)

34. Areas Requiring Improvement Developing the next-generation of researchers University-Industry collaboration Support for researchers The system for monitoring and documenting research activities Priorities for Action Exploring new areas of research Establishing a well-structured database to monitor all research activities, funding, and publications Developing an effective purchasing system Establishing an efficient laboratory equipment maintenance system A KSU Strategic Plan for research is in the process of being formulated Standard 10. Research (***)

35. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #10

36. Summary • Community services comprise a major component of KSU’s Mission • Encouraging faculty and staff involvement in extracurricular community activities • Joint University-Industry research projects help forge closer ties with the surrounding community • On average, the University organizes approximately 10 events per day • Strengths • The Haleef program • A media office is responsible for collecting and verifying the accuracy of the media’s reports on KSU • The Hospitals’ healthcare services • The College of Languages and Translation (COLT)’s translation services Standard 11. Institutional Relationships with the Community (****)

37. Areas Requiring Improvement • Publicizing KSU’s community events • Drafting the annual reports on the Colleges’ community services involvement in greater detail • Forging stronger ties with surrounding high schools • A database for tracking publications that mention KSU • Highlighting community contributions on the website • Priorities for Action • Annual reports provided by the Colleges need to be prepared annually • Further encouraging faculty members to participate in community services • Obtaining statistics of KSU graduates’ activities Standard 11. Institutional Relationships with the Community (****)

38. Sample Questions that could be Posed During Interviews on Standard #11

39. فعاليات الاستعداد للإعتماد المؤسسي زيارة فريق المراجعة يوم السبت 22/5/2010م الموافق 8/6/1431هـ

40. موقع الملحقات لتقرير الدراسة الذاتية

41. القائمة المتوقعة بالمستهدفين بمقابلات فريق الاعتماد المؤسسي

42. ترشيحات من الكليات

43. مؤشرات الاداء (KPI’s)

44. مؤشرات الاداء (KPI’s)

45. مؤشرات الاداء (KPI’s)

46. مؤشرات الاداء (KPI’s)

47. مؤشرات الاداء (KPI’s)

48. مؤشرات الاداء (KPI’s)

49. مؤشرات الاداء (KPI’s)

50. مؤشرات الاداء (KPI’s)