Session 1865:Evaluating Credentials from the Middle East (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab

Emirates)March 31, 2014

Peggy Bell-Hendrickson, EvaluatorAmerican Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (AACRAO)- Saudi Arabia

Alice Tang, Senior Evaluator and Information & Research CoordinatorInternational Education Research Foundation (IERF)- United Arab Emirates

Emily Tse, Director of EvaluationsInternational Education Research Foundation (IERF)- Jordan

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Peggy Bell Hendrickson

AACRAO International Education Services

hendricksonp@aacrao.org

Overview• Language of Instruction: Arabic at public institutions

of all levels; English begins in Grade 4

• Academic Calendar: September to June, divided into

two semesters of 15-17 weeks each

• Calendar: KSA uses Islamic Lunar Calendar; convert

to Gregorian by adding 579 (or 580) to

Islamic year

• Location: Southwest corner of Asia

Overview• Writing: Arabic script is written right to left, but

numbers are written left to right

• Literacy Rate: 87% among adults

• Saudi Arabia accounted for 44,566 international

students in the U.S. in 2012/13 (Open Doors), up

30% from 2011/2012 year

• Ranked 4th in sending students to US, represents

5.4% of international students 2013

Primary Education• Structure: 6 + 3 + 3 system

• Primary Education: 6 years, ages 6-12; requires

passing a final examination

• Basis in language, history, math, Islamic studies,

English (starting grade 4), geography

• Leads to Elementary School Certificate ( ةداهش ةسردمال

(ةيئادتباال

Intermediate Education• Intermediate/Lower Secondary: 3 years, ages 12-15;

requires passing standardized test

• Continues same curriculum with emphasis on Islamic

studies, Arabic, English, math, science

• Leads to Intermediate Education Certificate ( ةداهش

(ةءافكال ةطسوتمال

Secondary Education• Upper Secondary: 3 years; ages 16-18; requires

passing examinations

• First year continues previous studies then divided

into literary and science streams

• 60%+ on first-year coursework choose literary &

scientific streams; below 60% literary stream

• Since 2007/2008, new Tatweer (reform) curriculum

leading to new credentials

Secondary Education• GSEC: General Secondary Education Certificate; credential offered

prior to reform

• GSEC awarded after student results on national leaving examination

(Tawjihi)

• GSEC abolished but no set date (phased out during 2000s)

• Leaving Credentials (academic) typically presented for evaluation:

• General Secondary Education Certificate

• General Secondary School Transcript

• General Secondary Education Transcript (Credit System)

General Secondary

Education Certificate

Secondary Education• Since reform, no single national standardized leaving

exam

• Instead, students sit for local, teacher-made exams

in all disciplines

• Students are admissible to higher ed on basis of hs

transcripts & new placement tests

• Placement tests: General Aptitude Test (GAT) or

Standard Achievement Admission Test (SAAT)

General Secondary

School Transcript

General Secondary Education

Transcript (Credit System)

Secondary Grading

University Admission• Since Fall 2007, university admissions requires

achievement test: GAT and/or SAAT

• Depending on major and university, students may

need certain passing averages and/or completed

specific stream

• University may weight a combo of high school

average, GAT and SAAT

• Some universities still offer own entrance exam

National Qualifications

Framework

Credits• Under NQF: 1 50-minute lecture (or 2-3 50-min

lab/tutorials) over 15 week semester = 1 credit hour

• Typically, 15 credit hours for 1 semester full-time; 30

credit hours per academic year

• 18 credit hours is max can be recognized for 1

semester

• Credit hours do not include foundation or preparatory

study

Vocational / Technical

Training

Accreditation• Ministry of Higher Education

• Public Universities

• Private Universities

• Private Colleges

• Technical and Vocational Training Corporation

• Colleges of Technology

• Higher Technical Institutes

• Strategic Partnership Institutes

Accreditation• Saudi Commission for Health Specialties

• Private Institutes for Boys/Men

• Private Institutes for Girls/Women

• Institutes of Health

• Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu

• Ministry of Defense

• Ministry of Interior

• Ministry of Health

Resources: Official• Ministry of Higher Education: www.mohe.gov.sa/en/studyinside/

• Technical and Vocational Training Corporation:

http://www.tvtc.gov.sa/english/Pages/default.aspx

• Saudi Commission for Health Specialties:

http://www.scfhs.org.sa/en/education/TrainingAndRecognition/Trai

ningCenters/Pages/default.aspx

• Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu:

http://www.rcjy.gov.sa/en-US/Students/SchoolsCollegesInstitutes/

• National Center for Assessment in Higher Education:

http://www.qiyas.sa/Sites/English/Pages/default.aspx

Resources: Publications• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Its Education System and

Methods of Evaluation. Educational Credential Evaluators,

2012. http://publications.ece.org/

• Obtaining Authentic Secondary Credentials from Saudi

Arabia. World Education News and Reviews.

http://wenr.wes.org/2012/01/wenr-january-2012-obtaining-

authentic-secondary-credentials-from-saudi-arabia/

• Online Guide to Educational Systems around the World:

Saudi Arabia. NAFSA, 2008.

http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/ges/Saudi%20Arabia.pdf

Resources: Handouts• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Educational System. NAFSA

wRAP-Up Newsletter, 2007.

http://www.nafsa.org/uploadedFiles/NAFSA_Home/Resourc

e_Library_Assets/ACE/wrapup_feb07.pdf?n=931

• Saudi Arabia Elementary and Secondary Education Poster

Fair Handout. http://transcriptresearch.com/wp-

content/uploads/2013/10/poster_saudi.pdf

• Update on the Educational System of Saudi Arabia.

AACRAO 2012 Handout.

http://handouts.aacrao.org/am12/finished/PeggyHendrickson

63672048.pdf

United Arab Emirates

Background• Federation formed in 1971 after a period of British rule• Federal state consisting of 7 Emirates:

1. Abu Dhabi (capital)2. Ajman3. Dubai (most populated)4. Fujairah5. Ras al-Khaimah6. Sharjah7. Umm al-Quwain

• Approximately 15-20% of residents are UAE nationals (Emiratis), majority are expatriates

• Official language is Arabic• Official religion is Islam

Secondary Education• Secondary education is under the supervision of the

Ministry of Education (Abu Dhabi is the exception)• Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) established in 2005 -

responsible for secondary education in Abu Dhabi• Males and females taught in separate schools• Language of instruction is Arabic with an emphasis on

English as a second language; may vary at private schools• Many private schools in the UAE offer a foreign curriculum

(IGCSE, A levels, IB Diploma, Indian, US)• School year is usually September to June/July

• First term: September-December• Second term: January-June/July

Primary: 6 yearsGrades 1-6

Preparatory/Intermediate: 3 yearsGrades 7-9

Secondary: 3 yearsGrades 10-12

Secondary Certificate Examination

Cycle 1: 5 yearsGrades 1-5

Cycle 2: 4 yearsGrades 6-9

Cycle 3: 3 yearsGrades 10-12

Secondary Education in Abu Dhabi (from 2000-01)

Secondary Education (Grades 10-12)• Follow a common curriculum in the first year (10th grade)• Choose a stream in the 11th grade:

• General (Science or Literary option)• Technical/Vocational (Agricultural, Commercial and

Technical fields)• Religious (Sharia)

• All streams conclude with a national Secondary Certificate Examination taken at the end of the 12th grade (General, Technical or Religious)

• Examination usually held in June (date determined each year by the Ministry of Education)

• Students from the technical or religious streams may apply for admission to universities (restricted access)

1996 General Secondary Certificate Examination Results (re-issued in 2010)

2008 General Secondary Certificate Examination Results

Secondary Grading Scale

• The minimum passing grade for each subject should be indicated on

the examination results (40%, 50% or 60%)

• From 2005, the minimum passing average for all subjects is 60%

• An overall average score of 70% is usually the minimum required for

university admission

United Arab Emirates United States

90 - 100% Excellent A = 4.00

80 - 89% Very Good B = 3.00

70 - 79% Good C = 2.00

60 - 69% Pass D = 1.00

Below 60% Fail F = 0.00

National Admissions and Placement Office (NAPO)

• NAPO created in 1996 by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR)

• Responsible for processing applications from UAE nationals for admission to federal higher education institutions (HEIs) • United Arab Emirates University• Zayed University• Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)• Institute of Applied Technology (Abu Dhabi Polytechnic

and Fatima College of Health Sciences)• Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute• Emirates College for Advanced Education

• NAPO also administers the Common Educational Proficiency Assessment (CEPA) to 12th grade students

Common Educational Proficiency Assessment (CEPA)• Developed in 2006 by NAPO, MOHESR and HEIs (UAE University,

Zayed University and HCT)• CEPA English tests basic English proficiency

• Required for admission to diploma and bachelor’s programs at the federal HEIs

• Minimum score for admission is 150 (out of 210)• High scorers (180+) eligible for direct entry to the academic

program• Otherwise, students must complete a foundation program in

English before they are admitted to their selected program• Also used for placement purposes

• CEPA Mathematics tests basic math skills• Compulsory for NAPO applicants• No minimum score required• Used for placement purposes at some schools

Foundation/Preparatory Programs• All HEIs (federal and private) offer a foundation program (also called

preparatory program or bridging program)• Designed for students who meet the school’s general admission

requirements but not the program’s specific entry requirements• Federal HEIs use CEPA scores for placement at the appropriate level• Private HEIs use other standardized examinations (TOEFL, IELTS) or

administer their own placement/entry examinations• Prepares students for higher education study• Develop basic skills in Arabic, English, mathematics, information technology

and study skills• May require one to four semesters to complete, depending on the student’s

entry level scores• Successful completion of the foundation program is required before students

are admitted to the diploma or bachelor’s program• Students do not receive transfer credit, exemptions or advanced standing

once they are admitted to their undergraduate program• Preparatory courses should be labeled as such on the transcript

American University of Sharjah

“A preparatory course i.e., (xxx001, xxx002, xxx003) final grade counts toward the cumulative grade point average, but the course’s credits do not count toward degree credits.”

Higher Education• Regulated by two government bodies:

• Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR)

• Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)• School year runs from September to June

• First term: September-January• Second term: February-June

• Secondary Certificate Examination is required for admission

• Languages of instruction are Arabic and English• Official documents issued in Arabic and English (transcripts

in English, diplomas in English/Arabic) but no standard format

Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)

• Established in 1999• Operates under the MOHESR• Responsible for licensing private (non-federal) HEIs

and accrediting individual academic programs• Institution must be licensed before it can apply for

accreditation of each academic program• Accreditation is a separate process and each program

must be accredited before the school is allowed to recruit and enroll students

• CAA website provides a list of all licensed HEIs and their accredited programs

Types of Regular Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)• Currently over 78 licensed HEIs in the UAE• Higher education offered at the following

institutions:• Colleges• Institutes• Polytechnics• Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)• Universities

Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)

• Founded in 1988• Currently the largest HEI in the UAE with 17 colleges in 5

Emirates• Language of instruction is English• Programs have an applied focus with workplace relevant

training - philosophy of “learning by doing”• Requires the Secondary Certificate Examination (minimum

overall score of 70%) and CEPA English (minimum score of 150)• Offers Applied Diplomas and Bachelor and Master’s degrees

• HCT Applied Diploma• 2 to 3 years• Requires a minimum of 60 credits for a two-year program• May transfer up to 30 credits to a Bachelor’s degree

program in a related discipline• Previously also referred to as a Diploma (2 years) or Higher

Diploma (3 years)• Higher Diploma holders could be admitted into a one-year

Bachelor top-up program

• HCT Bachelor of Applied Science• Requires a total of 4 years of postsecondary study• 4 years after high school or 1 year after a Higher Diploma• Minimum of 120 credits required• 4-year Bachelor of Education also offered

HCT Undergraduate Qualifications

Higher Colleges of Technology

Foundation Year

Higher Diploma

Bachelor

HCT Bachelor’s diploma

Bachelor of Applied Sciencesin Applied Informational Studies

HCT Master’s degree

• Three Master’s degrees currently offered:• Master of Business Administration• Master of Applied Science in Information Systems

Management• Master of Education in Management and Policy

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree for admission• Minimum 1 year duration• Applied/professional in nature

University Undergraduate Qualifications• Associate’s degree (Diploma)

• 2 years of study after high school• May grant access to the third year of a

Bachelor’s program in a related discipline

• Bachelor’s degree• minimum of 4 years of study after high

school• Degrees programs in engineering or

professional fields (pharmacy, dentistry, medicine) are longer (5 to 7 years)

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

University Graduate Qualifications• Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree for admission• 0.5 to 1 year for PG Certificate and 1 year for PG Diploma• Often comprises the coursework portion of a Master’s degree in a

related discipline • Also called Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma

• Master’s degree• Requires a Bachelor’s degree for admission• 1 to 2 years• Two types of programs: coursework only or coursework and thesis

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)• Most programs follow the US model of coursework, qualifying

examination, research and dissertation • 4 years after a Bachelor’s degree, 3 years after a Master’s degree

Postsecondary Grading Scales

Higher Colleges of Technology United StatesA 90 - 100% A = 4.00A- 85 - 89% A- = 3.70B+ 80 - 84% B+ = 3.30B 75 - 79% B = 3.00C+ 70 - 74% C+ = 2.30C 65 - 69% C = 2.00D 60 - 64% D = 1.00F 0 - 59% F = 0.00

Postsecondary Grading Scales

United Arab Emirates United StatesA 90 - 100% A = 4.00B+ 85 - 89% B+ = 3.30B 80 - 84% B = 3.00C+ 75 - 79% C+ = 2.30C 70 - 74% C = 2.00D+ 65 - 69% D+ = 1.30D 60 - 64% D = 1.00F 0 - 59% F = 0.00

• Grading scales vary by institution – check the back of the transcript• Most schools in the UAE also have a grading scale for the

cumulative grade to assess the student’s overall academic standing

Foreign HEIs Operating in the UAE• UAE University was the first HEI (established in 1976)• Prior to this, students had to go abroad for higher education• Universities in the UAE did not offer PhD programs until recently• “Free zones” established to attract foreign organizations to the

UAE• Keep the UAE globally competitive• Each free zone is designed around a specific industry• Benefits include 100% foreign ownership and 100% tax

exemption• Organizations allowed to operate without the constrictions of

Emirati laws• Dubai Knowledge Village is a free zone opened in 2003 for

knowledge-based organizations, including universities • In 2007 the Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) was

established and universities are now based here

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)

• Currently has 21 of 37 of the international branch campuses in the UAE

• 10 different countries: Australia, Canada, France, India, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, Russia, US and UK

• 20,000 students from 125 nationalities• Attracts foreign students to the UAE as well as students from the

region who are unable to go abroad to study• Undergraduate and graduate qualifications offered• Schools are accredited by foreign governments and accreditation

bodies and follow the educational system of that country (qualifications, admission requirements, credit system, grading, etc.)

• Schools are not required to seek UAE licensure or accreditation, but some offer programs that have CAA accreditation

University of Wollongong, Dubai Campus

Online Resources

• Ministry of Education: www.moe.gov.ae/english• Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC): http://www.adec.ac.ae/en• Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR):

http://www.mohesr.gov.ae/En• Commission for Academic Accreditation: www.caa.ae

• List of active programs: https://www.caa.ae/caa/DesktopModules/InstPrograms.aspx

• NAFSA Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World – UAE: http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/ges/uae.pdf

Jordan

• Independence from Britain in 1946

• 12 governorates

Background

Regulation & Oversight

• Ministry of Education: Basic and Secondary education

• Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research: Higher Education

• Higher Education Accreditation Commission (2007): Accreditation Quality Assurance National Testing Center

Administration

• Language of Instruction: Arabic (English in the technological and scientific programs)

• Academic Calendar: August / September – May / June

• Calendar System: two 16-week semesters and 8-week summer session

Basic & Secondary Education: 10 + 2

Secondary

Basic

Compulsory education: grades 1 - 10

Comprehensive Secondary:grades 11 - 12

Academic schools

Vocational schools

Applied Secondary: grades 11 - 12 (Apprenticeship Programs)

Comprehensive Secondary Education: Academic Schools

• Track in large part determined by performance in 8th, 9th & 10th grades

• General Secondary Education Certificate (GSEC) Scientific* Literary Sharia’h Information Technology

• Access to university study

Secondary School Streams in 2013

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000

Literary

Scientific

IT

Health Education

Sharia'h

Other Vocational

Comprehensive Secondary Education: Vocational Schools

• Core academic curriculum plus 1 of 6 areas: Agriculture Commerce Home economics Hotel management Industry Nursing

• General Vocational Secondary Education Certificate • Access to community college* and employment

Applied Secondary Education• Combines classroom work with on-the-job training

(apprenticeships)• Supervised by Vocational Training Corporation

since 1976• 6-day weeks: 3 + 3• Certificate of Applied Secondary Education, along

with a trade test certificate• No access to higher education

Grading Scale - Secondary

Jordan United States

Excellent 90 - 100% A = 4.00

Very Good 80 - 89% B+ = 3.30

Good 70 - 79% B = 3.00

Fair 60 - 69% C = 2.00

Pass 50 - 59% D = 1.00

Fail 0 - 49% F = 0.00

Secondary School Transcripts

GSEC Examination Results

GSEC Certificates(Tawjihi)

Transcript of Grades for Students Not Passing the GSEC

Bachelor’s Degrees

(4 – 6 years)

Master’s Degrees

(1.5 – 3 years)

Doctorate Degrees

(3 – 5 years)

Community College / Intermediate

University Diplomas(2 – 3 years)

Higher Education in

Jordan

Community College Education

• 2 – 3 year diplomas• Possibility of transfer credit into university; most go on to work

force• Sit for Al-Shamel, a comprehensive exam administered by MOHESR• Includes such fields as:

Agriculture Air traffic services Computing Business Paramedical services Engineering Social work

Community Colleges in 2012

Types No.

Public, affiliated to Al-Balqa’ Applied University

18

UNRWA 2

Ministry of Health 4

Jordan Armed Forces 5

Private 21

Community College Records

University Education

• Started in the 1960s with the founding of the University of Jordan

• Private HEIs started in 1989 (need approval)• 10 private and 22 public• Similar to American system• 1 credit = 1 lecture hour per week or 16 hours• 1 credit = 2 – 3 xs the amount of hours for laboratory

Admission into University Education

• Centralized application system for public HEIs• Minimum GSEC grade requirements:

85% for medicine and dentistry 80% for pharmacy, engineering, architecture

and veterinary medicine 65% for other areas 60% typically for private HEIs

Undergraduate Education

Bachelor• usually 4 years: 125-130 credits• Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering typically 5 years• Medicine is 6 years

University Achievement Examination (since 2005)• Taken during last year• 2 hours with 120 – 150 questions• Leads to University Achievement Examination Qualification

Certificate• May be advantage for entry into graduate study

Graduate Education

Higher Diploma• In professional subjects • 1 – 3 years• Not required for entry into master’s

Master’s• Between 1.5 – 3 years• By coursework or thesis or combination

Doctor of Philosophy• 3 – 5 years after master’s• Depending on subject, about 24 credits of coursework and

24 credits of research

Grading Scale – Individual Courses

Jordan United States

Excellent 90 - 100% A = 4.00

Very Good 80 - 89% B+ = 3.30

Good 70 - 79% B = 3.00

Fair 60 - 69% C = 2.00

Pass 50 - 59% D = 1.00

Fail 0 - 49% F = 0.00

Grading Scale - Cumulative

Jordan United States

84 - 100% Excellent A = 4.00

76 - 83% Very Good B+ = 3.30

68 - 75% Good B = 3.00

60 - 67% Fair C = 2.00

Below 50% Fail F = 0.00

The back of university transcripts provide useful details

Transcript for Bachelor’s from Jordan University of Science & Technology

Graduation Certificates

Master’s from the University of Jordan

Graduation Certificates

NAFSA Online Guide to Educational Systems: Jordan by Alice Tang, 2011 http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/ges/Jordan.pdf

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: A Country Guide Series Report by Jeffrey Tanner from AACRAO, 2000

Education in the Arab World: Volume I by Leslie Nucho (Editor) from AmidEast, 1993

Resources

MOHESR Website: www.mohe.gov.jo

Thank you!谢谢

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