The College of Education at Sultan Qaboos University has received International Academic Accreditation for its undergraduate studies programs from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
This accreditation is a significant achievement that reflects the College’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in teacher preparation. It also confirms the position of Sultan Qaboos University as a leading institution in the field of university education and learning and its continuous efforts to improve academic and professional opportunities for its faculty members and students.
It is worth mentioning that the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is an organization that accredits Educator Preparation Institutions inside and outside the United States of America by providing evidence that confirms quality and supports continuous improvement to enhance the learning of school students.
CAEP has six standards that must be met in teacher preparation programs. Each standard includes a set of standard characteristics and conditions for the educational program in order to obtain academic accreditation. These standards are:
1- Standard 1: Content and Pedagogical Knowledge
2- Standard 2: Clinical Partnerships and Practice
3- Standard 3: Candidate Recruitment, Progression, and Support
4- Standard 4: Program Impact
5- Standard 5: Quality Assurance System and Continuous Improvement
6- Standard 6: Fiscal and Administrative Capacity
The College of Education has met all of the aforementioned accreditation standards, which qualified it to obtain the highest period of accreditation, which is seven years. Thus, the accreditation is valid for the period from the Spring Semester of 2024 until the Spring Semester of 2030.
Further, the academic accreditation includes the teacher preparation program in all specializations of the College of Education at Sultan Qaboos University, which are:
1. Bachelor of Education in Islamic Education
2. Bachelor of Education in Arabic Language
3. Bachelor of Education in English Language
4. Bachelor of Education in Science
5. Bachelor of Education in Mathematics
6. Bachelor of Education in Teaching and Learning Technology
7. Bachelor of Education in Art Education
8. Bachelor of Education in Physical Education
9. Bachelor of Education in Pre-School Child
The Dean of the College of Education at Sultan Qaboos University, Prof. Saleh Salim Mohammed Al Busaidi, stated that what distinguishes the teacher preparation programs at the College of Education is the balance between the theoretical and practical aspects. Where students obtain a broad depth of knowledge in their specialty and at the same time acquire practical skills through field experiences and field training. Note that the number of hours of field training exceeds 500 hours during the study period in the program, as the college allocates an entire semester for field training, or what is also called practical education, in public and private schools.
Dr. Shubair Abdullah, Head of the Quality Assurance and Academic Accreditation Unit at the College of Education, indicated that preparations for the academic accreditation process began early, and the College adopted the participatory method in managing the accreditation stages. For instance, a main committee was formed to review all requirements for academic accreditation. In addition, subcommittees were formed consisting of members from various departments and academic specializations at the college. After that, the key assessment tools for each criterion and the data they require were identified. The college was also keen to inform all college employees of the stages of preparation for academic accreditation and to take feedback from them as partners in the process.
It is noteworthy that the College of Education is one of the colleges that were established since the opening of the university in 1986. The college offers ten programs at the undergraduate level, seven educational qualification diploma programs, nineteen master’s programs, and ten doctoral programs. It accepts approximately eight hundred male and female students in all of these programs annually.
In fact, the College of Education previously obtained international academic accreditation during the period from 2016 to 2023 from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Institutions in the United States of America (NCATE). Therefore, obtaining international academic accreditation for the second time in a row indicates the quality of the college’s programs and practices that contribute to supplying the labor market with highly qualified competencies. This achievement is also a culmination of the efforts of the college’s academic, administrative, and technical stuff, who are always keen on the quality of their outputs. Moreover, this accreditation is a translation of the support provided by the administration of Sultan Qaboos University to advance the educational process.
In conclusion, Prof. Saleh Al-Busaidi extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to the faculty members of the college and the university’s partner colleges for their distinguished efforts in improving the teaching process by adopting modern emerging teaching methods based on scientific research and reflection. He also thanked the administrative and technical staff for their continued support of the college’s work. Thanks are also due to the college students for their sincerity and dedication. Prof. Saleh, also extended his thanks to the Ministry of Education and the cooperating schools for the support they provide to the college’s programs and activities. In the end, Prof. Saleh confirmed that this success would not have been achieved without the combined efforts of all these efforts