CAA: Your passport to world-class education

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Students can be confident that CAA-licensed institutions and accredited programmes are on par with global standards.
Students can be confident that CAA-licensed institutions and accredited programmes are on par with global standards.

The Commission for Academic Accreditation is a quality assurance certification that supports the goal of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to maintain quality education

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Published: Tue 19 May 2020, 2:47 PM

Last updated: Tue 19 May 2020, 4:49 PM

Education is the foundation of success, and a quality institution has the ability to provide a stepping stone for students to excel. But what defines a good university? In order to clearly distinguish this, the UAE Ministry of Education introduced the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). The system acknowledges universities and academic programmes offered in the UAE through a stringent set of regulations. 
Students can be assured that CAA-cerified programmes are recognised not just within the country, but also across the globe for their excellence. CAA focuses on operational excellence based on quality and delivery of programmes.

With 11 standards as guidance, the accreditation reflects the UAE's dedication to improving the education environment aligned with national goals. These are:

Governance and management: This aspect is based on the university's identity and mission, budget, policies and procedures related to operations, alongside strategic plans and dedicated roles to implement effective teaching modes and top performance.
Quality assurance: CAA looks into institutions' commitment to academic standards, quality assurance and continuous enhancement through review and evaluation of its programmes and courses, as well as academic, student, and administrative services based on evidence, and sustainable use of resources. This is set against best equivalent practices of other local and international institutions.
Educational programmes: This evaluates its mission relevance module design and student achievements. It also ensures that courses are consistent with the UAE National Qualifications Framework, with sufficient number of qualified faculty to meet the requirements of the programmes offered. Engagement and ongoing dialogues are also important aspects of the category, in addition to workplace opportunities for students.
Research and scholarly activities: Strategies and role of the institution in research and transmission of knowledge reflected in its programmes of study, including scholarship, sustainability, innovative and creative activity.
Faculty and professional staff: As the core element in any education field, this covers an institutions ability to provide globally certified faculty and administrative staff in relation to the listed programmes, services and activities. This also involves up-to-date training and professional development across workplace policies, in addition to diversity and professional retention.
Students: This covers the student base targeted by the institution in accordance to planned academic, cultural, social, moral, intellectual and physical development. Transparency, admission procedures, credit recognition, support services, as well as academic appeals and student complaints all come under evaluation.
Health, safety and environment: Adherence to student, faculty and staff welfare aligned with the respective emirate's health authority. This includes state-of-the-art facilities as well as compliance to safety, preventive measures, regular safety training, maintenance of emergency and safety equipment.
Learning resource centre: Sufficient, accessible and well-maintained information resources and services for students and faculty aimed to support the teaching, learning and research, which must be consistent with the institution's mission and goals.
Fiscal resources, financial management and budgeting: Financial stability is an important aspect to ensure continuous improvement and guarantee that enrolled students are able to complete their programmes at ease. This standard ensures medium- to long-term budgets are set in place.
Legal compliance and public disclosure: The institution is expected to maintain high ethical standards and transparency across its teaching, professional and development landscape, in line with the legislation and rules of the UAE.
Community engagement: This demonstrates the educational facility's commitment to develop partnerships that reel in mutual benefits for the academic community, including students, and respond to their needs.
Thanks to the stringent measures adopted by the CAA, parents and students can be confident that CAA-licensed institutions and accredited programmes surpass the quality of higher education on an international level.
 


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