Chair's Message
Dr. Samya Al Shanfari
It is a privilege to serve as Chair of the Oman Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education at a time when our sector is experiencing significant growth and renewed expectation. As we align our efforts with Oman Vision 2040, the role of quality assurance remains central to shaping a knowledge-based economy and preparing graduates for an increasingly interconnected world.
Across the sector, quality assurance has evolved beyond a regulatory requirement; it is now an essential lens through which institutions reflect, improve, and demonstrate their contribution to society. At its core, it strengthens trust — between institutions, stakeholders, and the communities they serve — while keeping the student experience firmly at the centre of enhancement efforts.
The Association is supported by a Board that brings together a breadth of experience from across higher education institutions. This collective perspective strengthens our ability to engage meaningfully with the sector and contribute to its continued development.
Building on the strong foundations of the Association, our focus is to support a shared understanding of quality that is both meaningful and responsive to the realities of our institutions. True quality is not found in frameworks alone, but in how these are understood, interpreted, and applied in practice — through deliberate and evidence-informed reflection.
In this spirit, the Association values thoughtful dialogue and professional exchange as central to advancing quality assurance. We see importance in shared learning, in maintaining connections with regional and international practice, and in nurturing a culture where quality is collectively understood and meaningfully enacted.
Looking ahead, we will continue to engage with the shifts shaping higher education globally — particularly the implications of artificial intelligence, evolving learning models, and sustainability. These developments call for quality assurance approaches that remain both adaptive and grounded in purpose.
The value of our work is realised through collaboration. I invite our members and partners to engage actively with the Association — sharing insights, contributing to dialogue, and strengthening our collective capacity. Together, we will continue to support a higher education sector that is credible, responsive, and continuously improving.
Chair's Message
Dr. Samya Al Shanfari
It is a privilege to serve as Chair of the Oman Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education at a time when our sector is experiencing significant growth and renewed expectation. As we align our efforts with Oman Vision 2040, the role of quality assurance remains central to shaping a knowledge-based economy and preparing graduates for an increasingly interconnected world.
Across the sector, quality assurance has evolved beyond a regulatory requirement; it is now an essential lens through which institutions reflect, improve, and demonstrate their contribution to society. At its core, it strengthens trust — between institutions, stakeholders, and the communities they serve — while keeping the student experience firmly at the centre of enhancement efforts.
The Association is supported by a Board that brings together a breadth of experience from across higher education institutions. This collective perspective strengthens our ability to engage meaningfully with the sector and contribute to its continued development.
Building on the strong foundations of the Association, our focus is to support a shared understanding of quality that is both meaningful and responsive to the realities of our institutions. True quality is not found in frameworks alone, but in how these are understood, interpreted, and applied in practice — through deliberate and evidence-informed reflection.
In this spirit, the Association values thoughtful dialogue and professional exchange as central to advancing quality assurance. We see importance in shared learning, in maintaining connections with regional and international practice, and in nurturing a culture where quality is collectively understood and meaningfully enacted.
Looking ahead, we will continue to engage with the shifts shaping higher education globally — particularly the implications of artificial intelligence, evolving learning models, and sustainability. These developments call for quality assurance approaches that remain both adaptive and grounded in purpose.
The value of our work is realised through collaboration. I invite our members and partners to engage actively with the Association — sharing insights, contributing to dialogue, and strengthening our collective capacity. Together, we will continue to support a higher education sector that is credible, responsive, and continuously improving.
Prof. Ali Al-BadiChair, 2024–2026
Since its establishment in 2018, the Oman Association for Quality in Higher Education (OAQHE) has served as a dynamic platform committed to the promotion of a quality culture and the sharing of best practices across Oman's higher education sector. Built upon the foundation laid by the Oman Quality Network since 2008, the Association continues to grow in strength and impact, guided by the values of transparency, diversity, collaboration, professional ethics, and social responsibility.
As I assume the role of Chair, I would like to express my gratitude to the founding members, previous Chairs, and our partners — including the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI), the Education Council, the Research Council, and the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education — for their continued support in shaping a robust and responsive higher education ecosystem.
The OAQHE's strategic plan (2023–2027) is aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and national education strategies. It outlines a clear pathway to embed a culture of quality, ensure the sustainability of the Association's activities, and foster meaningful local and international collaborations.
The Association's ongoing initiatives — including conferences, workshops, forums, and symposiums — are open to all members and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. To support the effective execution of our goals, OAQHE operates through specialized committees such as the Corporate Identity, Media and Communication Committee, and the Events Planning and Management Committee.
Moving forward, we reaffirm our commitment to aligning with global quality standards and contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the domain of quality education. I encourage all higher education institutions in Oman to actively engage with the Association, contribute to its activities, and join us in our shared mission to elevate the standards of higher education in the Sultanate.
Prof. Ali Al-Badi — Chairperson
Ms. Nabila Al MackiChair, 2022–2024
Nabila Al Macki, Deputy Dean (Academic Affairs) at Majan University College, Muscat, earned her MBA (Financial Management) from the University of Hull, UK. In 2018 she became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). She has a rich teaching experience, particularly in Finance, Accounting, Human Resource Management, and Leadership, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Ms. Nabila has acquired extensive knowledge of quality assurance procedures of Higher Education systems in Oman and the UK, evident in her preparation of programme validation documentation, institutional reviews, annual evaluation of academic programmes, and quality audits. She is a member of the MoHERI register of subject specialists for academic programme licensing in Oman, and an external reviewer with the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education.
The Oman Association for Quality Higher Education (OAQHE), since its inception in 2018, has had at its core the promotion and sharing of good practices and quality culture across all facets of higher education. In furtherance of this, the 2023–2027 strategic plan is set in the right direction towards realising Oman's Vision 2040.
It is my vision that, alongside its primary task, the Board of the OAQHE must achieve absolute consistency in its strides towards achieving its objectives — technical support for workforce, sustainability of activities, peer quality association interaction, and collaborative platforms between HEI's nationally and internationally.
I welcome on board all stakeholders, public and private, to participate and support the Association in all its Quality Assurance and enhancement endeavours.
Nabila Al Macki — Chairperson
Prof. Dr. Taqi Al-AbdawaniChair, 2020–2022
On 8th May 2018, the higher education sector in Oman celebrated the launch of OAQHE under the patronage of HE Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al Sarmi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Higher Education.
On behalf of OAQHE board members, I would like to thank the Education Council, Ministry of Higher Education, Research Council, and Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) for their continuous support, as well as the individuals who served higher education when the Association was still a network — activity that started in 2008.
The focus area of the Association is to share good practices through conferences, workshops, forums and symposiums, free of charge to members. The objectives include: establishing a culture of quality in higher education; providing technical support and training for the workforce; enhancing activities for sustainability; strengthening relationships with similar associations nationally, regionally and internationally; and providing a platform of coordination between higher education institutions and authorities.
In 2018 the Association conducted five activities including two workshops; in 2019, four activities including two workshops. Two permanent committees were formed: the Corporate Identity, Media and Communication Committee, and the Events Planning and Management Committee.
I would like to encourage all higher education institutions, both government and private, to become members and support the Association's activities. The higher education sector in Oman has a long journey to travel, and sharing good practices will make the journey easier for everyone.
Taqi Al Abdwani — Chairperson
Prof. Ali Al-BadiChair, 2024–2026
Since its establishment in 2018, the Oman Association for Quality in Higher Education (OAQHE) has served as a dynamic platform committed to the promotion of a quality culture and the sharing of best practices across Oman's higher education sector. Built upon the foundation laid by the Oman Quality Network since 2008, the Association continues to grow in strength and impact, guided by the values of transparency, diversity, collaboration, professional ethics, and social responsibility.
As I assume the role of Chair, I would like to express my gratitude to the founding members, previous Chairs, and our partners — including the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI), the Education Council, the Research Council, and the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education — for their continued support in shaping a robust and responsive higher education ecosystem.
The OAQHE's strategic plan (2023–2027) is aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and national education strategies. It outlines a clear pathway to embed a culture of quality, ensure the sustainability of the Association's activities, and foster meaningful local and international collaborations.
The Association's ongoing initiatives — including conferences, workshops, forums, and symposiums — are open to all members and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. To support the effective execution of our goals, OAQHE operates through specialized committees such as the Corporate Identity, Media and Communication Committee, and the Events Planning and Management Committee.
Moving forward, we reaffirm our commitment to aligning with global quality standards and contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the domain of quality education. I encourage all higher education institutions in Oman to actively engage with the Association, contribute to its activities, and join us in our shared mission to elevate the standards of higher education in the Sultanate.
Prof. Ali Al-Badi — Chairperson
Ms. Nabila Al MackiChair, 2022–2024
Nabila Al Macki, Deputy Dean (Academic Affairs) at Majan University College, Muscat, earned her MBA (Financial Management) from the University of Hull, UK. In 2018 she became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). She has a rich teaching experience, particularly in Finance, Accounting, Human Resource Management, and Leadership, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Ms. Nabila has acquired extensive knowledge of quality assurance procedures of Higher Education systems in Oman and the UK, evident in her preparation of programme validation documentation, institutional reviews, annual evaluation of academic programmes, and quality audits. She is a member of the MoHERI register of subject specialists for academic programme licensing in Oman, and an external reviewer with the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education.
The Oman Association for Quality Higher Education (OAQHE), since its inception in 2018, has had at its core the promotion and sharing of good practices and quality culture across all facets of higher education. In furtherance of this, the 2023–2027 strategic plan is set in the right direction towards realising Oman's Vision 2040.
It is my vision that, alongside its primary task, the Board of the OAQHE must achieve absolute consistency in its strides towards achieving its objectives — technical support for workforce, sustainability of activities, peer quality association interaction, and collaborative platforms between HEI's nationally and internationally.
I welcome on board all stakeholders, public and private, to participate and support the Association in all its Quality Assurance and enhancement endeavours.
Nabila Al Macki — Chairperson
Prof. Dr. Taqi Al-AbdawaniChair, 2020–2022
On 8th May 2018, the higher education sector in Oman celebrated the launch of OAQHE under the patronage of HE Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al Sarmi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Higher Education.
On behalf of OAQHE board members, I would like to thank the Education Council, Ministry of Higher Education, Research Council, and Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) for their continuous support, as well as the individuals who served higher education when the Association was still a network — activity that started in 2008.
The focus area of the Association is to share good practices through conferences, workshops, forums and symposiums, free of charge to members. The objectives include: establishing a culture of quality in higher education; providing technical support and training for the workforce; enhancing activities for sustainability; strengthening relationships with similar associations nationally, regionally and internationally; and providing a platform of coordination between higher education institutions and authorities.
In 2018 the Association conducted five activities including two workshops; in 2019, four activities including two workshops. Two permanent committees were formed: the Corporate Identity, Media and Communication Committee, and the Events Planning and Management Committee.
I would like to encourage all higher education institutions, both government and private, to become members and support the Association's activities. The higher education sector in Oman has a long journey to travel, and sharing good practices will make the journey easier for everyone.
Taqi Al Abdwani — Chairperson