Inside our approach to quality
Dr Eman Mohamed
Effat University
Real-world tips
- Let external guidance inform internal development
Use sector frameworks as a starting point for reviewing your own policies, training and documentation. - Support staff when introducing new technologies
When new technologies require updated policies or guidance, make sure these changes are supported with practical training. This helps staff and students understand what the new expectations mean in practice and how to use the tools responsibly and confidently. - Keep quality culture active across the institution
Regular engagement with academic and administrative teams helps maintain shared understanding of expectations as sector and labour‑market demands evolve. - Use membership resources to support long‑term planning
Resources, mentoring and case studies can help clarify accreditation pathways, especially for programmes without specialist accrediting bodies. - Stay connected to international networks
Participating in forums and peer discussions offers reassurance that challenges are shared - and provides insight into how others are responding. - Monitor performance indicators consistently
Tracking institutional and unit‑level KPIs helps ensure that quality work remains aligned with strategic priorities and emerging requirements.
Effat University’s Dean of Quality Assurance, Dr Eman Mohamed, shares how QAA Membership is supporting the university’s drive for continuous improvement, ethical AI integration and future international accreditation - all while strengthening a culture of quality across academic and administrative teams.
Quality assurance at Effat University
As Dean of Quality Assurance at Effat University - the first private non‑profit university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - I work with all academic and administrative units to support quality management, institutional research, accreditation and ranking.
Our work focuses on sustaining the quality of academic and non‑academic services so that our students graduate as effective and aspirational leaders who can contribute to their communities. This includes adherence to quality policies and procedures, monitoring institutional and unit KPIs, securing national and international accreditation, and ensuring alignment with ranking criteria.
A key part of my role is keeping pace with the evolving demands of the education sector, the labour market and quality assurance requirements, while ensuring that all staff remain engaged with the university’s quality culture. These are ongoing challenges, but they also present opportunities to strengthen our systems and practices.
Using QAA Membership to support internal development
Effat University has followed QAA’s work for many years, and joining as a member was a natural step in our long‑term strategy to strengthen our internal systems and pursue international accreditation. Membership also aligns with our strategic priority of innovation and digital transformation, and it enhances our global profile as a university committed to continuous improvement.
One of the most valuable aspects of QAA Membership has been access to resources on the ethical use of Generative AI, including the AI Graduate Toolkit, QAA’s grounding principles for AI, and case studies from other universities. These insights supported us in developing our own AI policy and guidelines, and in delivering AI training for faculty, staff and students through our Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
This has supported the ethical and responsible integration of AI into courses and programmes, and QAA Membership has had a clear and positive impact on this work.
Preparing for future accreditation and sector engagement
We also see QAA Membership as a pathway for future international accreditation, particularly for programmes without their own specialist accrediting bodies. A recent mentoring session on QAA and the ESG has been especially helpful as we consider next steps.
On a personal level, attending QAA forums and networking with peers internationally has been illuminating. It is reassuring to see that institutions around the world share similar challenges and aspirations as we prepare our graduates for their professional lives.
Overall, QAA Membership keeps our community informed, connected and ready to adapt to new developments in higher education - and it continues to have a positive impact on our work at Effat University.
