Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q

Cabinet Approves Move to Set Up Academic Commission

By Ola Diab The Cabinet has approved a draft decision to establish the National Commission for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation.

The Cabinet, also known as the Council of Ministers, is the chief executive body of the State of Qatar. The draft provision came at the Cabinet's regular meeting at the Amiri Diwan on 1 June 2022, chaired by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani. The draft's provisions stipulate that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) shall establish a commission called the National Commission for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation to comprise a chairperson and no less than eight and no more than 10 members – academics and specialists with experience, competence and scientific standing – to be appointed by a decision proposed by HE the Prime Minister. Within the framework of the state's general policy, the commission undertakes general supervision of the national qualifications framework and its updating, conducts academic accreditation, applies quality assurance standards for higher education institutions in the state, and contributes to their development to enhance confidence in them. It may exercise all the powers stipulated in the aforementioned national qualifications framework. Following the meeting, HE the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Sulaiti issued a statement giving the details of the proceedings. General policy for Accreditation and Licensing The general policy for accreditation and licensing, which is approved by the Executive Committee of MoEHE in 2012, is based on two main standards: • The quality and excellence of the institution to be licensed. • The ability of the educational institution to be licensed and educational programmes offered to adapt and address developmental plans, labour market needs, and aspirations of students in Qatar. The first standard will be achieved by fulfilling and abiding with all elements of quality assurance in higher education or in partnership with an institution that is internationally renowned in the concerned discipline of study, while the verification of the second standard will be achieved by providing a feasibility study or a detailed proposal for the establishment of the institution.