QAA visit strengthens relationship with Kuwait

In early December 2023, QAA was delighted to participate in a three-day visit to Kuwait focused on quality assurance and hosted by the British Council.

Day one kicked off with a policy dialogue, with Rob Stroud, Director of Assessment Services and Access to Higher Education; Bal Birdi, Business Development Manager; and Adam Surtees, Assessment Services Manager delivering a session on the UK quality system to Kuwaiti institutions and senior officials. The presentation shared details on how higher education is quality assured across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including UK-wide frameworks like the Quality Code for Higher Education and Subject Benchmark Statements, and information on our new Elective Quality Review Service in England. There was also a focus on our international services, including international accreditation and international membership, which support institutions to demonstrate effective quality assurance measured against international benchmarks. The University of Central Lancashire also delivered a session focused on international partnerships and internal quality assurance.

On the second day, QAA met with representatives from the National Bureau for Academic Accreditation and Education Quality Assurance in Kuwait (NBAQ) to discuss opportunities for future collaboration such as training, shadowing and mutual learning. This represents the next stage in our partnership, moving forward with our MoU signed in September 2021. QAA also visited the American University of the Middle East (AUM) to present them with their certificate of accreditation from QAA following their successful International Quality Review announced last month, and to tour their beautiful campus and hear about their plans for the future.

On the final day, QAA met with several Kuwaiti higher education providers to discuss quality assurance and QAA’s international work. This included a visit to Kuwait International Law School (KILAW) - the first institution in Kuwait to be accredited by QAA and a full international member.

The event was an important step in deepening QAA’s relationship with Kuwait ahead of next year’s 125th anniversary of the Kuwait-UK friendship agreement. QAA is grateful to the British Council Kuwait for the organisation of this visit and their ongoing support.