Office of Planning and Quality Assurance:

Salman Talahmeh, PhD

“Strategic planning and quality assurance have been developed independently of each other, but they meet in practice in many kinds of organizations. Strategic planning and quality assurance integrate different aspects of higher education institutions to ensure high-quality educational outcomes” [Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education, v11 n3 p67-73 Jul 2007]

 The Office of Planning and Quality Assurance is established at Hebron University in 2009 to ensure the University commitments to its mission and its progress towards its goal of offering excellent education.  The Office works to achieve its goals through the efforts of a number of specialized committees and of distinguished University staff members.  The office is currently responsible for the following issues:

• Strategic Planning

• Quality Assurance

• New Academic Programs

• Project Proposals

• University Computer Center

• Database Administration

• University Continuing Education Center

• Scholarships

• eLearning

• Business Investment

• Alumni (Graduate Tracing)

• University Budget

• Teacher Recruitment and Retention 

In addition, the office provides top management with all necessary reports and statistics to help them in informed decision making. 

 Staff

 The office is running by the following three staff members:

 v    Strategic Planning

The office is responsible for developing a detailed 5-year strategic plan that reflects the vision and mission of Hebron University.  In addition, the office monitors the carrying out of the plan, evaluate its effectiveness annually, and make any necessary amendments.   Depending on the approved strategic plan, the office should prepare an annual detailed Operational Plan which reflects the priorities of the current year, and work with all University departments and top administration to implement this plan. Strategic planning requires an active committee composed of senior active faculty and administrative members.

 Strategic Planning Committee (1+7)

At least one of these committee members should be from outside the University.  Outside participants will be selected from active community members and who has experience and high vision in strategic planning. University committee members will be volunteers or assigned participants, but external members may be volunteers or paid per session or per assignment.

 v    Quality Assurance

The most important goal of any university strategic plan is academic excellence.  This is achieved by ensuring and monitoring the quality of academic programs, academic regulations, administration departments, administration regulations, policies & procedures, and infrastructures and services.  In addition QA requires setting and adopting standards and benchmarks for all University activities.

 Quality Assurance Committee

One of these committee members should be an accountant.  This member will help assess financial policies and procedures.

v    Establishing /Accreditation of New Programs

The Office of Planning and Quality Assurance is responsible for establishing new academic programs to fulfill the needs of the community.  New programs can be suggested by the Office or by a faculty member. The Office oversees the preparation of new programs, which will be approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  When a new program of study is completely prepared and approved by the University, the Office will take the program study through the accreditation process with AQAC and makes all necessary follow ups.

v    Project Proposals

The Office oversees the preparation of project proposals. The Office receives calls for proposals and arrange for project proposal preparation through the departments and active faculty members.  There are many donor organizations willing to help Palestinian universities. Therefore, the University should always have ready project proposals which are in accordance with the University strategic plan.  Furthermore, in coordination with the Vice President for External Affairs, the office searches for financial sources to implement needed projects.  The Office prepares project proposals according to the strategic plan, arranges for preparing project proposals on call, and searches for financial sources to cover the expenses to implement projects.

v    University Computer Center

The Computer Center effectively provides computing and telephone services to the University.  In order to maintain this vital work and to ensure the development of the Center services, the Office oversees the work and activities of this center. The office is responsible for setting up plans for continuous development of the center in coordination with the Director of the Center, and to ensure that the University Computer Network is up-to-date and operated efficiently.   
v    University Database Administration

University databases are our most important asset.  These databases must be highly secure and must always be well-supervised.  The Office oversees the handling of University databases, including development, backup, and authorization monitoring.

 v    Continuing Education Center

This Center is a very promising area for investment. The office oversees the work of this center and helps it to achieve its goals and the university mission.  Because the success of this Center is critical and thus it is a high priority, a committee of 5 members is needed to oversee the activities of this Center and plan strategically its development.

Continuing Education Center Committee

v    Scholarships

The Office of Planning and Quality Assurance makes faculty development a top priority.  It is the responsibility of the Office to foster a creative teaching and learning environment in which faculty members can develop their knowledge and their teaching, and research skills. The Office is responsible for staff selection and nominations for training and scholarships. In coordination with the Vice President for External Affairs, the Office searches for scholarship providers and provide information on scholarships and other opportunities to all faculty members.  Several scholarships are currently available to HU faculty and graduates, including:

• ERASMUS MUNDUS

• DAAD

• PEACE

• AMIDEAST

• British Council

• Islamic Bank

• Academic Partnership and Agreements ( Asuod University –Egypt)

Each year these organizations announce several scholarships and training programs. The office of Planning and Quality Assurance circulates these announcements and choose the right candidates for the available scholarships.  The Scholarship Committee selects the candidates.

 Scholarship Committee (1 + 4)

 v    eLearning

The office works closely with the newly established eLearning unit to create a successful eLearning program at Hebron University.

v    Business Investment (1 + 4)

.  There are several business investment opportunities available at the University, which will allow us to provide services to the community with financial return. The Office is responsible for University business investment.  A creative committee is needed for brainstorming ways to put University equipment, labs, services, farm facilities, and expertise at the disposal of the local community.

 v   Investment Committee (1 + 4)

 v    Alumni ( Graduate Tracing)

The office of Planning and Quality Assurance works to ensure that University graduates remain a valuable asset for the University, its progress, and its students. The graduates’ feedback will help us in developing new programs that meet market needs.  Furthermore, working graduates can assist us in finding work opportunities for those who graduate after them.  The relationship between HU and its graduates is vital for both parties. The Office will work on creating a graduate tracer unit to foster a constructive relationship. A graduate tracer website will be developed.

 Alumni Committee (1 + 4)

v    University Budget

The Office of Planning and Quality Assurance will push for a realistic and balanced budget. A comprehensive budget is needed to achieve the goals, with control measures.  The budget preparation will be a group effort wherein each department head provides his/her department budget.  The Office will oversee the preparation of a comprehensive budget at the beginning of each academic year.  The Office will work with top administration (the Board of Trustees), who will approve the budget.

v    Teacher Recruitment and Retention 

The Office is responsible for helping faculties to attract highly qualified instructors and highly qualified researchers.  Furthermore, the Office will put forth strategies for retaining qualified instructors.  This will include developing official policies and procedures.