Deputy Premier and President of the Supreme Council for Education and Training Development Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa received at the Gudaibiya Palace today the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education and Training (QQA) Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Fadhel, in the presence of QQA Chief Executive Dr. Jawaher Al Mudhahki.
Al-Fadhel introduced to the Deputy Premier members of the team of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), which will review the performance of QQA. The team includes the Director of the Quality Promotion Unit at the University College in Ireland Fiona Crozier, the Secretary-General of the National Commission for Assessment and Academic Accreditation (NCAAA) Dr. Abdulla bin Abdulkarim Al-Musallam, and International Policies Advisor at the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA) Dr. Maciej Markowski.
The Deputy Premier lauded the existing cooperation between INQAAHE and QQA, which allowed the latter to be informed about the best assessment and quality assurance means in higher education, as well as benefit from INQAAHE's studies, research and best practices.
He praised QQA's initiative to subject itself to review, just like educational and training establishment, which, he said, will enhance the values of transparency, credibility and professionalism governing its work.
The Deputy Premier highlighted Bahrain's interest in developing educational establishments and keenness to ensure that their output meets international quality standards.
Members of INQAAHE's team briefed the Deputy Premier about INQAAHE's quality assessment methods, lauding the kingdom's strides in ensuring quality education and training, and its tangible steps to consolidate its assessment and quality assurance according to the best international standards and practices.