Program Review and Accreditation Unit

Risk Program Review

Internal Risk-Based Program Review

As mentioned in the periodic program review page, performance indicators are collected annually for each academic program offered by UAEU. Programs identified with one or more of strategic risks such as program well-being, relevance to the UAEU vision and mission, and market needs will be subject to a more in-depth review of the program. The administration of the risk-based review is led by the OIE. The college hosting the program under review is responsible for the logistics of the review process. 

Indicators for Identification of Programs at Risk

In addition to any risks identified by the University Administration, the following indicators will be used by the OIE for the identification of programs at high risk:

• Student profile and outcomes (enrollment, student/faculty ratio, attrition rate, graduation rate, graduate employability, etc.).
• Stakeholder satisfaction (students, alumni, employers, advisory board, etc.). Please refer to Appendix J for program stakeholder satisfaction survey descriptions and schedules.
• Faculty profile and resources.
• Curriculum currency & effective curriculum delivery; and
• Learning effectiveness.

Procedure for the Review of Programs with Risks

1. The program submits a full report on the identified risk areas.
2. A Program Review Panel is established in consultation with the OIE and approved by the Vice Chancellor. The panel will normally consist of:

• • Two international experts in the discipline. One of the external members chairs the Program Review Panel.
  • Two UAEU faculty external to the Department hosting the academic program (nominated by OIE).
  • At least two representatives from the major employers of the program graduates (selected in coordination with the OIE).
  • One member of the College/Department Advisory Board; and
  • At least two program alumni.

3. The Program Review Panel will conduct a review (desk and site visit) based on the identified risks.
4. The Chair of the Program Review Panel forwards the finalized report to the Department Chair, College Dean, and the OIE for review.
5. College Council revises/approves a department action plan (action plan gives timed, budgeted and measurable steps taking forward recommendations, or a narrative justifying why action will not be taken on a specific recommendation).
6. College Dean submits action plan to the OIE for review and feedback, if any.
7. The OIE submits the action plan to the Academic Affairs Council for review and approval.
8. The action plan is monitored regularly by the OIE to ensure implementation progress, and the program is required to submit an annual progress report on the status of the action plan.