Doha: Qatar University (QU) will host the fourth annual conference of the Middle East and North Africa Association for Institutional Research (MENA AIR) from November 7 to 9.
Under the theme of “Innovations in institutional research: promoting institutional effectiveness in the MENA region” the three-day forum will bring together international experts to discuss best practice in data gathering and institutional research specifically in higher education.
Institutional research (IR) enables organisations to collect data in a targeted way, analyse it and implement changes which will benefit the organisation as a whole in terms of its efficiency, effectiveness, satisfaction of staff and its overall reputation. QU has used IR to make improvements across the university and it plays a crucial part in the university’s application for international accreditation.
Organised by QU’s Office for Planning and Development (OIPD), this year’s event will attract professionals in the field of institutional research, planning, assessment, quality assurance, institutional effectiveness and accreditation from across the region and USA.
The formal opening session will take place on November 8, when QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad will deliver the keynote speech, along with MENA AIR President Rasha Radwan. The session will be facilitated by Dr Jamir Chowdhury, Director of Institutional Research at QU. Following the conference, Dr Chowdhury will assume the position of President of MENA AIR for the academic year 2012-13.
QU President Prof Sheikha Al Misnad said: “MENA-AIR conference provides an opportunity for expert institutional researchers to come together and share their insights and lessons learned. It also plays a crucial role in improving professionalism among key players in the field to prepare them to develop strategic plans, conduct extensive research and provide, enhance, and maintain a quality of education that matches the highest international standards.
“As the host, QU is committed to delivering excellent education in Qatar, in line with the best international practices.”
The conference will include plenary sessions, workshops and panel discussions that will cover areas including strategic planning, accreditation, sharing best practice, online evaluation of teaching and learning and quality assurance and will be led by experts from across the MENA region and the USA.
The programme is available at http://mena-air.org/MENA-AIR/preliminary_program.
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