Standard 7 - Appendix 7.1
Standard 7 - Appendix 7.1
Standard 7 - Appendix 7.1
1 Executive summary
of the university
strategic plan .
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Executive Summary
Strategic Plan II
King Abdulaziz University
2009-2014
Presented to:
November, 2013
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PREFACE
President of KAU
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One particular point of pride for KAIU is that six universities originally
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established as KAU branches are now independent educational institutions: Umm Ul-
Qura, Taiba, Al-Taif, Jizan, Tabuk, and Northern Borders Universities of KAU.
Since its inception, KAU has seriously taken its role in Saudi society as it
pertains to education, research and community service. Taking these roles into
account, KAU is dedicated to investing all appropriate resources into development
and expansion of related activities. Today, after nearly 50 years, KAU enjoys a
strongly positive reputation at the local and regional levels, and is methodically
increasing its presence in the international arena, as well.
During this period, KAU has undergone a thorough self-assessment as a
means of using what has been achieved to widen and brighten future horizons.
KAU is developing its role and increasing its presence at the local and international
levels in its quest to attain its deserved status among international universities in
world ranking systems.
A Comprehensive University
This is the traditional identity of KAU and as such encourages the addition of
new colleges, institutes, and departments in different subject areas according to
societal needs and priorities. The goal is to increase the choices of academic degrees
offered (bachelor’s, diploma, master’s, or Ph.D.), in addition to providing a wide
range of professional training and certificates. To that end, KAU has established new
campuses and branches. Some of the expanded branches have been evolved into
autonomous universities, independent of KAU. Moreover, one area of expansion has
been the establishment of a Deanship of Distance Learning.
A Research University
With the increasing importance of research (theoretical and practical) in creating
a base for the construction of webs of knowledge, KAU has placed special emphasis on
the development of scientific research at the university. KAU is currently developing a
strong, complementary, and balanced infrastructure having the necessary resources for
developing an innovative scientific research program. This research is being
undertaken by faculty members, researchers, and post- graduate students. Such a
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university has action plans and has established priorities for achieving its primary goals
through partnerships and cooperation with external institutions (both industrial and
civil). Research universities should also forge links with selected universities and
research centers both locally and internationally. An Electronic University.
Although KAU has embarked on a path toward becoming an electronic university,
it is targeting – in the context of its Strategic Plan II – to institutionalize all the
elements of this identity while emphasizing continuous improvement. This is
targeted at developing the university’s efficiency in serving both its internal and
external constituencies. Implementing the systems that lead to the establishment of
this facet of the university’s identity will serve the academic leadership, staff
members, administrators and students in a very practical way while better connecting
all KAU units. It can also serve to improve the relationship between the university and
the community at large. Additionally, it will enhance relations with international
universities and associations.
The electronic university identity will become institutionalized with the spread
of the culture of electronic transactions and t h e development of associated
practical skills. This involves the application of electronic management with all its
a c c o m p a n y i n g procedures, the expansion of the frontiers of distance learning
and the development of KAU websites and electronic portals. Another component of
the electronic university is the expansion of e-learning through online syllabi for the
majority of courses at all levels.
An entrepreneurial university
This identity has emerged from the responsibility KAU has towards Saudi
society and the concept of employing an economic approach to the fruits of KAU
research and development. KAU plays a social role on the entrepreneurial side of the
society. When the university is successful in this role for the benefits of Saudi youth
and society, it will expand this role. F or a university to truly become an
entrepreneurial university, it must offer students some entrepreneurship courses
during their course of study, regardless of their majors. Additionally, there should be
some departments that focus on entrepreneurship or a school for entrepreneurial
studies that allows students to study for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in
the field. It should also grant professional certificates in the same areas.
Universities with further developed entrepreneurial identities have established
centers for research, training and consultancy to support small size businesses,
family businesses, and incubators. Other activities include different events such as
conferences, symposia and workshops. All of this lends itself to engendering the
growth o f entrepreneurship at the university and in the society, in general.
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A Creative University
This identity and all other facets of KAU identities encourage and support
creative thinking and innovative action. The concept of the creative university is to
bring more closely together intellectuals, including academics, staff, researchers,
administrators, technicians and students at KAU. It also represents the idea that all
internal and external stakeholders can join forces to collaborate intellectually and have
a positive effect on KAU.
KAU has developed effective methods for enhancing the intellectual capabilities
of staff and students alike and is demonstrating the importance of establishing a
tradition of serious thought in a university setting. For students, the goal is to learn
how to think by taking courses aimed at developing critical thinking skills.
In the context of this identity establishment, KAU has worked diligently to
establish the International Advisory Board (IAB), a group of reputable thinkers and
achievers. The IAB will assist KAU on its path to transform into a world class
university.
KAU wil l endeavor to improve its image and enhance its community service
activities, in order to become the foremost educational institution in the eyes of
Saudi society. This will be accomplished through developing relationships with local
and national media and the expansion of certain programs.
KAU will work with all categories of human resources to improve performance.
The student will become the focal point of KAU. A positive and encouraging
learning environment will be furthered as a means of enabling and
empowering the student in his/her quest to acquire scientific knowledge,
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Approving the strategic and action plans and distributing them to all university
authorities so as begin preparation of strategic plans and mechanisms for
implementation and follow-up by each authority.
Basic Conditions
The conditions that have guided the preparation of Strategic Plan II can
be divided into two groups: the first is associated with KAU and the higher
education protocol and factors affecting the community; the second represents
basic elements of good practices at international universities, higher education-
related bodies, councils and international organizations.
Basic postulates are as follows:
I- Postulates
Creating a university worthy of the name of the founder of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. This profound responsibility entails constant upgrading and
growth in the quest for the excellence inherent in its name.
Over the course of nearly fifty years, King Abdulaziz University has achieved
superiority in different fields, and has shown itself intent on maintaining such
excellence through the constant upgrading of facilities and human resources:
KAU considers human resources as its most important asset and the source
of value and excellence. KAU is keen to develop faculty members, researchers
and all categories of human resources..
Despite the growth of scientific research in recent years, the university
recognizes that it must develop and increase its research capacity by
balancing all aspects of technical, human, material and financial resources.
The demand for higher education in the community is growing for graduate
and postgraduate programs, in particular, and that demand will continue in
the future, requiring an expansion of the capacity of the University.
KAU recognizes the importance of harmonizing its curricula with modern
scientific developments and the needs of the labor market. The university is
also aware of the need to develop teaching methods and techniques that
support the intended learning outcomes
The students are the center of attention at KAU, and all efforts will be made to
keep them abreast of all contemporary developments in their fields.
the needs of the labor market, in addition to the expectation of students for
appropriate training and advisory services for career planning and support.
Government universities have made significant efforts t o obtain grants,
donations and endowments for investment in order to establish sustainable
funding sources for the universities.
Universities seek academic and institutional accreditation, in accordance
with international academic standards. Through this process, they obtain
various quality certificates through whose maintenance the university is
able to ensure quality while working on continuous improvement in all
areas.
Universities work to maintain the heritage of its values, while keeping pace
with scientific and technical progress so as to be ranked among the best
universities in the world.
Universities are keen to strengthen and improve their position among other
universities by increasing their capabilities and t h e competitive dynamics of
their development and by focusing on scientific research and innovation.
Universities are dedicated to improving the competitiveness of their scientific
centers through increased capacity, general development and innovative
research.
The world rankings of universities and other institutions receive increased
attention and focus in an effort to increase the university’s international
ranking.
Despite differences in methods of governance of universities in different
countries, it is agreed that with increasingly efficient and effective
methods of governance, efficiency of internal and external university
programs increase greatly.
Universities are keen to take advantage of e-learning and distance
education to better serve the students. Standards for these programs must
be equal to those for on-site students.
Universities should make good use of their resources and strive for refined
resource management. Universities focus on good management and
protection of intellectual assets such as patents.
Universities focus on the importance of information technology and
communications applications with the goal of teaching all users the skills to
use such as technology.
Universities agree that their most important resources and assets are human
and it is imperative that these resources be well-chosen, well-developed and
well-maintained as significant human intellectual capital for those
universities where creativity and innovation are valued.
Universities are expanding their roles in the economy through
entrepreneurial activities encouraged by faculty members with appropriate
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Core Values
Fundamental values constitute a major component of the dominant culture at
the university and those values are at the core of the preparation of Strategic Plan II. The
intention, then, is to create a culture that will control key performance indicators for university
units so that their improved performance will support the implementation of the strategic plan.
We should expect the following:
Efficient use of management and resources.
Commitment to international accreditation standards.
Intellectual creativity and applied innovation.
Staff members considered as a human resource.
The student is the focus of the university.
A positive and stimulating environment for learning, work and research.
Quality of the educational process and the interaction between stakeholders.
Implementation of e-learning and distance learning applications.
Society and its development.
Flexibility and transparency.
Citizenship and public interest fuel teamwork.
Code of ethics for scientific research.
Individual initiative, the spirit of teamwork and positive dialogue.
Competitiveness and leadership in the higher education arena.
Excellence, expressed appreciation and reward.
Cooperation and exchange of experience on a local and global basis.
Information and new technologies associated with it.
High morale and love of the university.
Communication, social interaction and the general environment of KAU will be
based on the concept of family.
Making the case for the success of King Abdulaziz University (2019)
KAU is a research university that has assumed global stature and has become a
reference point for educational and cultural excellence. It has become a leader in
allowing community access as a component of fostering a knowledge society. It has
developed the ability to innovate and compete on the international level while
nurturing sustainable development internally.
Objective 1:
Applying integrated electronic management systems in all units of the
university, taking into account the following:
Achieving university-wide unit-readiness (e-readiness) for the shift.
Completing systems-reengineering across all sectors of the university.
Procurement of all necessary software and technical equipment for the
shift.
Strategy:
Promoting internal training and partnerships aimed at creating a stimulating
environment for the development of electronic management.
Projects:
P1P1 Development of technologies and technical support.
P1P2 Development of financial, administrative and electronic services.
P1P3 Development of educational services.
P1P4 Development of electronic medical services.
P1P5 Refining quality of electronic transactions.
P14P1 Center of technology transfer.
P14P2 Center of business development.
P14P4 Center of knowledge tools development.
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Objective 2:
Meeting quality standards for university web portals as demonstrated by
highly ranked university websites.
Strategy:
▪ Providing the necessary equipment, expertise, and activities of the university
web portal.
▪ Reflecting the credibility of the university and strengthening the confidence of
stakeholders.
Projects:
P2P1 Development of infrastructure.
P2P2 Development of technical specifications.
P2P3 Building a Web presence.
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Objective 3:
Developing 80% of university courses to use e-learning.
Objective 4:
Increasing the number of students of distance education programs to reach
50,000.
Strategy:
▪ Creating a stimulating environment for e-learning and distance education that
will attract the attention of society.
Projects:
P3P1 Human resource support
P3P2 Development of administrative and financial systems for distance
education.
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Objective 5:
Ranking Number 1 in scientific research in the Arab world according to
certified international rankings, taking into account the following:
▪ Producing, at least, one research product per faculty member annually.
▪ Publishing of at least 50% of research papers by faculty members in
international ISI-classified journals.
▪ Organizing one conference or symposium every year at each college.
Strategy:
Developing strategic partnerships with international scientific and research
institutions, so as to contribute to the development of the infrastructure,
research output and graduate programs in line with international
standards.
Projects:
P7P1 Development of human resources.
P7P2 Development of Technical resources.
P7P3 Development of economics of scientific research.
P7P4 Development of electronic medical services.
P7P5 Priorities for scientific research.
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Objective 6:
▪ Improving community-related postgraduate programs and establishing new
such programs in response to community needs.
▪ Helping all academic departments at the university to grant a master's degree.
Strategy:
Developing strategic partnerships with international scientific and research
institutions so as to contribute to the development of the scientific
environment, infrastructure, research output and postgraduate programs
according to international standards.
Projects:
P6P1 Development of the knowledge and skills of graduate students.
P6P2 Development of faculty members in the field of graduate studies.
P6P3 Development of economics of scientific research.
P6P4 Upgrading the research inherent in postgraduate studies.
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Objective 7:
Building community confidence to make the university as number 1 in
education in the public mind.
Strategy:
Developing a media program with all stakeholders from within and outside
the university so as to enhance the credibility of the university.
Projects:
P12P1 Development of a media communication infrastructure.
P12P2 Development of human, financial, and technical resources.
P12P3 Enhancement of media communication.
P12P4 Enhancement of the university’s image in the public mind.
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Objective 8:
Doubling the current size of the university’s self-generated revenues.
Strategy:
Creating a culture of creativity and discipline and a business environment
similar to that of the private sector.
Projects:
P8P1 Development of infrastructure.
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Objective 9:
Signing consulting contracts with most Saudi universities, with a minimal goal
of reaching three times the current number of such contracts.
Strategy:
Establishing a culture of authenticity, discipline, and work in a way
similar to the private sector.
Program:
P8: Development of financial systems.
Projects:
P8P1 Development of infrastructures.
P8P2 Development of human resources
P8P3 Development of regulations and financial procedures.
P8P4 Marketing and partnership development.
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Objective 10:
Incorporating of the largest number of talented and creative personnel in
business incubator programs sponsored by any university in the Kingdom.
Strategy:
Developing local and global strategic partnerships to support the incubator
university environment.
Projects:
P9P1 A unit for promoting a culture of talent and creativity.
P9P2 Planning and development unit for the gifted and innovators.
P9P3 Identification and nurturing of the talented and creative.
P9P4 Partnerships and support unit.
P10P1 Preparation of university graduates to assume leadership roles in
education, business and the community.
P10P2 Preparing faculty members to be responsible for programs aimed at
developing future leaders.
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Objective 11:
Becoming the top university in Saudi Arabia in the development of
technology transfer programs and localization of international fields of
academic excellence.
Strategy:
Enhancing the university’s image as a research university through its strategic
vision and programs, resources and capabilities and partnerships.
Projects:
P13P1 Development of central laboratories.
P13P2 Development of consulting firms.
P13P3 Development of business incubators.
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Objective 12:
Meeting academic accreditation requirements in all academic programs
and academic units
Strategy:
Creating a scientific, technical, professional and regulatory environment to
support accreditation of all academic programs and strategic units of the
university.
Projects:
P4P1 Establishment of a performance evaluation for academic and institutional
centers.
P4P2 Development of curricula and programs.
P4P3 Development of teaching methodology.
P4P4 Development of faculty performance.
P4P5 Development of electronic information technology.
P4P6 Development of management and leadership practices.
P4P7 Evaluation and follow-up of academic programs.
P4P8 Measurement and evaluation of institutional performance.
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Objective 13:
implementing curricula and course content described in the accredited plans,
and upgrading of the educational process in line with international standards,
and in response to community needs so as to meet, at least, the minimum
standards of accreditation.
Strategy:
Creating a scientific, technical, professional and regulatory environment to
support academic and institutional accreditation of all academic programs
and strategic units in the university.
Projects:
P4P1 Establishment of performance assessments of academic and
institutional centers.
P4P2 Development of curricula and programs.
P4P3 Development of teaching methods.
P4P4 Development of faculty performance.
P4P5 Development of electronic information and technology.
P4P6 Development of management and leadership practices.
P4P7 Evaluation and follow-up of academic programs.
P4P8 Measurement and evaluation of institutional performance.
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Objective 14:
Achieving international accreditation for 75% of university programs, and a
minimum of one hundred scientific programs.
Strategy:
Creating a scientific, technical, professional and regulatory environment to
support academic and institutional accreditation of all academic programs and
strategic units of the university.
Projects:
P4P1 Establishment of performance assessments of academic and
institutional centers.
P4P2 Development of curricula and programs.
P4P3 Development of teaching methods.
P4P4 Development of faculty performance.
P4P5 Development of electronic information technology.
P4P6 Development of management and leadership practices.
P4P7 Evaluation and follow-up of academic programs
P4P8 Assessment of institutional performance.
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Objective 15:
Each partnership agreement will enable programs consistent with the
university’s strategic plan.
Strategy:
Developing and acting on a clear vision of the points of convergence partners'
interests with the university strategic plan and providing an attractive
environment to expand and invest in those points.
Projects:
P11P1 Development of infrastructure to service partnerships.
P11P2 Development of human resources via partnerships.
P11P3 Development of partnerships.
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Objective 16:
Each partnership agreement will enable programs consistent with the
university’s strategic plan.
Strategy:
Making available all the elements for success and the effective functioning of the
infrastructure in all units of the university through:
▪ Fully-equipped laboratories, networks and information systems in all units of
the university.
▪ Empowered scientific personnel and technical resources required for the
operation and maintenance of systems and facilities.
▪ Modernization and continued development of systems and facilities
according to the criteria adopted.
▪ ISO-certification of all laboratories.
Projects:
P13P1 Development of central laboratories.
P13P2 Development of consulting firms.
P13P3 Development of business incubators.
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Objective 17:
Enrolling qualified students in the preparatory year at the university and
ensuring that they meet all requirements for completing the program, while
providing alternative programs for students who do not successfully complete
the preparatory year.
Strategy:
Creating an appropriate scientific environment, attractive academic programs
and a stimulating cultural atmosphere for university study.
Projects:
P5P1 Creation of successful university environment for students.
P5P2 Development of students skills.
P5P3 Development of academic programs.
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Objective 18:
Achieving local and international institutional accreditation.
Strategy:
Creating a scientific, technical, professional and regulatory environment to
support academic and institutional accreditation of all academic programs and
strategic units of the university.
Projects:
P4P1 Establishment of a performance assessments of academic and
institutional centers.
P4P2 Development of curricula and programs.
P4P3 Development of teaching methods.
P4P4 Development of faculty performance.
P4P5 Development of electronic information technology.
P4P6 Development of management and leadership practices
P4P7 Assessment and follow-up of academic programs.
P4P8 Assessment of institutional performance.
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Objective 19:
▪ Qualifying at least 5% of university graduates to be educational leaders.
▪ Qualifying at least 1% of university graduates to be community leaders.
▪ Qualifying at least 2% of university graduates to be entrepreneurs.
Strategy:
Developing of local and global strategic partnerships in support of the incubator
university environment for the talented and creative.
Projects:
P9P1 A unit for the promotion of a culture of talent and creativity.
P9P2 Planning and development unit for the gifted and innovators.
P9P3 Identification and care of the talented and creative.
P9P4 Partnerships and support unit.
P10P1 Preparation of university graduates for leadership roles.
P10P2 Preparing faculty members to be responsible for building programs
for the development of future leaders.
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The completion of the Strategic Plan II report has been supported by regular
scheduled feedback with an action plan to follow up on its implementation. The
report has included all the programs and projects that have been agreed on to be
carried out in the 5-year-plan set to achieve a variety of goals and strategies.
The plan report has also identified the human and financial resources and
organizational and procedural steps needed for achieving the objectives of the plan
with a clear timetable.
To ensure the implementation of planned programs and projects in
accordance with associated procedures and responsibilities, special quality
assurance follow-up forms were created. The Strategic Plan Committee was tasked to
oversee the implementation of the plan through a rigorous follow-up mechanism.
University departments involved in the implementation of the plan were scheduled to
deliver bi-annual reports on their progress, leading to the final report submitted and
presented to the University President.
In general,the process includes the monitoring and evaluation of three
strategic dimensions, namely:
2. Evaluation strategy:
Determining that the implementation process at the strategic leadership level is in
accordance with the Strategic Plan.
3. Strategic Re-alignment:
Ensuring the practicality of the strategic plan time scale in accordance with
internal and external factors and the recommendation to corrective
actions, which may include modification of the strategic plan and to review
the implementation of strategic action.