Academic Program Review

The main purpose of Academic Program Review (APR) at Qatar University is to evaluate the viability, productivity, and quality of academic programs, aligning them with the university's vision, mission, and strategic goals. The APR process involves a comprehensive review of each academic program. The APR is designed to maintain high academic standards and continuously enhance the quality of QU Health’s academic offerings. Our department supports all academic departments and colleges in preparing the self-study reports and developing and implementing the follow-up plans [program enhancement plans].

Key aspects of the APR include a regular review cycle spanning five to seven years to ensure the processes of evaluation and improvement are continuous. The APR plays a crucial role in decision-making, providing evidence to maintain, improve, restructure, deactivate, or expand programs based on their performance and alignment with the university’s goals. The review process is intricately aligned with accreditation standards, ensuring that the programs meet the requirements and recommendations of accrediting bodies. The APR also mandates an external review component for all programs, benchmarking them against the highest academic standards and sustaining the university's commitment to academic excellence.

QU Academic Program Review Policy

QU Health guidance (flowchart)

The APR procedure involves four phases:

Initiation Phase: Notification and confirmation of the review schedule, establishment of a review committee, and orientation meetings.
Self-Review Phase: Data preparation, self-study report creation, and submission of summary reports by Department Heads and College Deans.
Peer Review Phase: Selection and coordination of a peer review team, in-depth program evaluation, and submission of a final peer review report.
Follow-up Phase: Reflection on peer review outcomes in coordination with the academic quality department, development of program enhancement plans [PEPs], and implementation of detailed action plans with specified milestones and required resources.