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Substantial knowledge and experience has been gained with
regard to accreditation processes undertaken by KAU Engineering executives,
faculty, and staff over the years. The
dedication and work required to manage and maintain its elite accreditation
status necessitates a highly adept team. To meet this need head-on, the
Faculty of Engineering amalgamated all of its previous accreditation
operations units, including the Academic Accreditation Unit (AAU), into one,
robust unit called the Accreditation Support Unit (ASU).
This unit consists
of a group of experienced faculty members who act as facilitators for
engineering programs related to their accreditation activities. It is headed by the Faculty of Engineering Vice
Dean for Development, and performs the following duties:
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1.
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Establish a help
desk for engineering departments to provide professional guidance, help and
support to undertake accreditation preparation activities.
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2.
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Maintain close
coordination with college ‘champions’, departmental accreditation
committees, and dedicated faculty members to prepare accreditation
documentation.
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3.
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Prepare agendas
and present reports to the Accreditation Executive Committee (AEC) and
Accreditation Operational Committee (AOC) on the progress of the
accreditation work in the engineering programs assigned to each
facilitator.
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4.
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Seek
administrative support from the Accreditation Executive Committee (AEC) to assist
the departments in completing their accreditation activities.
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5.
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Each facilitator
will attend all the meetings of the departmental accreditation committee in
their assigned programs.
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6.
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Meet weekly to
ensure coordination of the preparation activities in all programs.
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In addition to the ASU, two committees were created
to involve the top, middle and operational management of the college in the
accreditation process, namely the Accreditation Operational Committee (AOC)
and Accreditation Executive Committee (AEC).
Accreditation Operational Committee (AOC)
Headed by Vice Dean for Development and consist of
facilitators and department ‘champions’.
The duties of this committee are as follows:
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1.
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Hold meetings
every two weeks to share experience and review the accreditation work
performed by the departments.
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2.
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Design and hold
necessary workshops, seminars, and training activities.
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3.
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Plan and manage
visits of external ABET scholars and evaluators.
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4.
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Maintain close
coordination with the Accreditation Executive Committee (AEC).
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5.
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Troubleshoot to
maintain smooth running of accreditation process and prepare necessary
documentation.
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Accreditation Executive Committee (AEC)
Headed by the Dean and consists of the three Vice
Deans, chairmen and ASU members.
The duties of this committee are as follows:
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1.
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Provide
strategic direction for the entire accreditation process of all engineering
programs.
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2.
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Take decisions
on all issues recommended or forwarded by the AOC and ASU in a formal
agenda format.
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3.
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Hold monthly
meetings to review the work of the Accreditation Operational Committee
(AOC).
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4.
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Formulate
college-level policies in coordination with the top management of King
Abdulaziz University (KAU) with regard to ABET accreditation of engineering
programs.
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5.
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Provide
financial, technical, administrative and human resources for
reaccreditation of engineering programs and to initiate accreditation of
new programs.
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