Higher education leaders across Bahrain are set to attend an executive meeting organized by Ahlia University in collaboration with SunGard Higher Education, a global provider of IT solutions for colleges and universities.
The event, ‘Performance Matters in Higher Education,’ is being convened under the patronage of His Excellency, Dr. Majid Al-Nuaimi, Minister of Higher Education in Bahrain. Topics to be discussed at the executive meeting include Bahrain’s higher education issues including reforms and challenges, as well as quality assurance assessment. In addition, SunGard Higher Education experts will share insights on the role of IT in supporting Bahrain’s higher education strategic objectives and reform initiatives.
Commenting on the executive meeting, Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, President, Ahlia University, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with SunGard Higher Education for this unique gathering of Bahrain’s higher education stakeholders and I trust that attendees will leave the meeting better equipped to measurably improve performance and help achieve the vision of improved quality in Bahrain’s higher education.”
Higher education in Bahrain is striving to provide affordable educational programs, improve operational efficiencies, and meet rigorous accountability and compliance standards. Colleges and universities have undergone or are still in the process of quality assurance assessments by government appointed bodies, such as Quality Assurance Authority (QAA). The benchmark criteria include quality academic, administrative, financial and infrastructure standards.
Mathew Boice, general manager, Middle East, SunGard Higher Education stated, “High expectations for performance and productivity are transforming how colleges and universities define and measure success. While there are common themes in the mission of many institutions about quality and student success, how institutions pursue and support their own mission has become increasingly complex. To meet the benchmarks for quality assurance assessment, decision makers in universities and colleges require timely and accurate information to identify trends, forecast outcomes, evaluate options, and take the actions necessary to achieve their objectives.”
Dr. Jawaher, Al-Madhaki, one of the keynote speakers scheduled for the event, said “This executive meeting is coming at a time when acceptable standards in our colleges and universities are increasingly being defined by the compliance and accountability records of institutions. I commend the effort of Ahlia University and SunGard Higher Education in organizing this event and look forward to similar initiatives that may contribute to making Bahrain one of the global centers of excellence for higher education.”
The event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel on 23 February 2009 and over 100 academicians and educationalists representing Bahrain’s higher education sector are expected to attend.
