SKYLINE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE

ACADEMIC PLANNING
& OPERATIONS
COMMITTEE POLICY
MANUAL
AY 2014-2015
University City of Sharjah
P.O. Box - 1797, Sharjah, U.A.E.
Tel: 06-5441155
I.

INTRODUCTION:

Fax: 06-5441166 / 06-5441661

The Academic Planning is carried out in line with the vision, mission
and purposes of the University after thorough analysis of its previous
academic operations. This committee is responsible for developing
academic strategies and operational planning and plan learning&
human resources development at SUC. Academic and Operations
Planning Committee also coordinates with IR and QA office in
maintaining academic standards as per MOHESR and coordinate in the
accreditation process. This committee also explores the possibilities of
developing SUC academic standards in line with the national /
international academic standards.
II.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. ACADEMIC PLANNING & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

To plan Academic operations efectively and efciently

GOALS

OBJECTIVES
To revise and prepare
academic plan

To plan & recommend

academic faculty requirement

KPI'S
Program planning, Course
allocation, CDP approval as per
calendar
Preparing Annual Hiring Plan,
Faculty Requirement, Screening,
interviewing as per calendar
E-books planning, Library
resources, text books and
reference books and additional
reading material (journals,
magazines) as per calendar

Planning & developing learning

resources
Planning for software and
hardware resources for enhancing
learning facilities as per strategic
plan

To provide platform for

professional development of
faculty

Identifying training needs and

Planning Professional
development for the faculty
members

Planning and implementing

MDP/EDP

No of MDP/EDP Planned Vs.

Offered

accreditationsTo assist in
academic
aspects of
To enrich University learning
resources
To
manag
e ERP

Planning & Organizing

conferences/seminar/workshop
s

No of Conferences /Seminars
/Workshops Planned Vs
Organized

To provide inputs to other

committee regarding current
and future trend for Academic
Excellence

Preparation of List and Calendar

of Employee Development
Program

To plan and allocate courses to

faculty members, as per
MOHESR Standards

Maintaining Faculty Ratio as per

MOHESR Standard with cost
effectiveness

To collaborate through
International Networking and
international accreditation

Assist International Accreditation

Student and Faculty Feedback

Development of Library &
Computer department Strategic
Plan
Reviewing & Planning for
learning resources (IT, Library)

Number of orientation/Training
programs conducted
% Increase Utilization of EResources
Library Collaborations
Development and Implementation
of LMS, ERP , SharePoint Portal
and Turning Implementation

Reviewing ERP progress

B. HEAD OF ACADEMICS

Develop ERP related to academic

and operational planning,
implementation, training as per
calendar

GOALS
OBJECTIVES
To assist in
To review previous
developing academic academic
strategies
performances and
recommend inputs
for academic
strategies
To ensure smooth
functioning of
academic operations
of SUC

To allocate faculty as
per academic plan
To review and
approve CDPs
To ensure the
smooth conduct of
courses as per CDP

To ensure faculty
management as per
SUC policy

To orient the new

and continuing
faculty at the start
of the semester
To review
progression of
courses during
semester
To conduct semester
meetings with
faculty
To approve faculty
leave in coordination
with HR and HASS
To review and
recommend
improvements in
faculty performance

To ensure academic
excellence

To ensure program
objectives are
completely met
through the

BENCHMARK

achievement of
learning outcomes
To review the
assessment tools in
line with the LOs
To coordinate and
review Teaching
Efectiveness
Committee in
implementation of
appropriate teaching
pedagogies
To coordinate with
other departments
for smooth academic
operations

To coordinate with
HQA, Registrar, Head of
Student Support
Service all
departments
Complying with
academic standards
and stipulations as per
the CAA / MOHESR
from time to time and
meet all the
requirements.
Participate in Program
Reviews

To supervise
administration and
teaching effectiveness
committee work in
executing all approved
academic policies and
procedures and report
to the AAC and Dean
on all academic and
management issues
relating to academic

effectiveness
To set up academic
calendar and
committees and ensure
smooth functioning of
planned academic
activities

III.

A. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHAIR AS HEAD OF ACADEMIC

OPERATION
To bring to the notice of AAC, Dean and EC all academic related
issues that need to be addressed.
Head of Academic Operations is required to monitor the academic
related tasks such as submission of CDPs and course files are done
timely and are as per the standards of MOHESR /CAA.
To ensure that desired learning outcomes and program outcomes
are met by the academic strategies
To discuss the operational and coordination issues relating to
academic and academic support services
To supervise administration and teaching effectiveness committee
work in executing all approved academic policies and procedures
and report to the AAC and Dean on all academic and management
issues relating to academic effectiveness
To implement academic strategies as per MOHE guidelines in
coordination with Teaching Effectiveness Committee.
To set up academic calendar and committees and ensure smooth
functioning of planned academic activities
Update dates of yearly academic plan
Work with HQA, Registrar, Head of Student Support Service and
other relevant committees in maintain academic quality.
Participation in exam paper evaluation, examination preparation,
examination reviews.
Chairing faculty feedback reviews and result reviews with teaching
effectiveness committee and Head Student Support services.
Participation in FES and SES reviews
Compiling with academic standards and stipulations as per the
CAA / MOHESR from time to time and meet all the requirements.
Participate in Program Reviews
Reviewing ERP progress
Review the Teaching Effectiveness reports
Post mid-term & post final exam result review meeting with faculty

III.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHAIR IN ACADEMIC PLANNING &

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Chair of Academic Planning & Operations Committee will be
responsible for overall functioning of the committee. Apart from this
Chair/Head holds the responsibility in ensuring the academic
operations are carried out as per academic planning. Chair is
responsible for the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.

IV.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
i.
COORDINATOR1
1. Arabic Program
2. New Program Proposals
3. MOHESR Standard Implementation

ii.

V.

Academic Planning
Library Planning
Conference /Seminar/Workshop
International Networking

COORDINATOR2
1.
Computer Department Planning
2.
ERP/SharePoint /LMS
3.
Employee Development
4.
MDP
COMMITTEE SPECIFIC POLICIES
A. REVIEW AND PLAN ACADEMIC STRATEGIES
Academic Planning & Operations Committee undertakes a thorough
auditing of its previous Academic Plan target Vs Achievements in relation
to its capabilities and the external and internal constraints. The internal
capabilities and its gaps are assessed continuously through the
Institutional Effectiveness (IE) tools which are documented on a semester
basis. Evaluation of the IE tools gives an understanding of operational
strengths & weaknesses and provides directions for the areas of
development. Based on these inputs appropriate decisions are taken
during the review of the Academic Plan.
B. REVIEW AND PREPARE ACADEMIC PLAN
The major role of the Academic Planning & Operations committee is to
review the previous planned academic operations and based on the gaps
identified the new academic plans are prepared and disseminated to
respective departments for necessary action.

C. PLAN ACADEMIC OPERATIONS EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY

Academic Planning & Operations Committee effectively plansbased on the
progress of enrollments and the class size policy, teaching load and full
time to part time faculty ratio. This exercise must be carried out at least 2
months prior to the start of each semester. Following are the steps to be
followed:
1. No. of students enrolled in all the categories of intakes (weekend and
weekday batches, BBA & MBA, majorwise, morning, evening )
2. Creation of batches following the class size policies
3. Class Scheduling
D. PLAN & RECOMMEND ACADEMIC FACULTY REQUIREMENT
1. Existing faculty resources and further requirements maintaining 75:25
FT to PT ratio along with teaching load
2. Hiring part time & full time
E. PLANNING & ALLOCATION OF COURSES TO FACULTY MEMBERS, AS
PER MOHESR STANDARD IMPLEMENTATION
Allocation of the courses is carried out according to the area of
specialization, experience, terminal degree& with MOHESR standards.
Academic Planning & Operations Committee should allocate the courses
according to the define strategy and align with MOSHER, full time 12
credit Hours +(25% over load) for BBA, for MBA 9 credit hours
+25%overload accepted. For Lecturer 15 credit hours +25% extra load,
for part timer 6 credit hours per semester

Faculty Course Allocation Process

F. REVIEW &PLANNING OF LEARNING RESOURCES LIBRARY

i.
Creating a user experience that is high quality, consistent, and robust
regardless of users location and access method
ii.
Build the digital infrastructure needed to support teaching, research
and scholarly communication.
iii.
Involve with users through communication strategies that make SUC
Libraries resources and services more perceptible, more used, and
better accustomed to user needs.

Figure 11: Library Learning Resources Planning Process

G. REVIEWING & PLANNING OF LEARNING RESOURCES IT

i.
Improving SUC IT vision, strategy and policy, and the timelines of
decision-making processes for IT.

ii.
iii.

Improving the SUC ability to access and use data to make informed
decisions and provide high quality service and high touch
educational experiences.
Building ubiquitous, high bandwidth capability for all users,
accessible any time, any place in a secure, efficient manner.

Figure 12:Computing Planning Process

H. TO PROVIDE PLATFORM FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF

FACULTY
a. Planning & Organizing conferences/seminar/workshops
APOC seeks coordination from various departments to organize
conference & workshops
Once in two years and ensures the inclusion of Research inputs of
faculty into the CDPs and other academic activities.

Figure 8:CSWC Implementation Process

b. Planning and implementing MDP/EDP

APOC conducts different training short & long courses as per the need
of community with the cooperation of CPD and Marketing& PR
Department (MPRD) to contact government & non-government
organization to identify different training courses as per the needs
analysis to enhance their skills and knowledge

Figure 9:MDP/EDP Planning Process

I. PROVIDE INPUTS TO OTHER COMMITTEES REGARDING CURRENT

AND FUTURE TRENDS FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
APOC updates the academic operations and communicates from time to
time with other units about current and future academic plan of SUC

Figure 10:Academic Operation Implementation and Planning Process

J. TO COLLABORATE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING AND

INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION
Academic Planning & Operations Committee collaborates with IRO & QA
Office in meeting the academic requirements for accomplishing national
and international accreditation.
K. COLLABORATE WITH IRO & QA TO ACCOMPLISH PROGRAM REVIEW
PROCESS
The Academic Planning Committee facilitates IR & QA to complete the
Program Review Process.
V.

ORIENTATION
A. ACADEMIC ORIENTATION TO NEW & CONTINUING STUDENTS (ALL
CATEGORIES)
1. Freshman Students
i.
Induction into higher education
2. Sophomore Students
i.
Accelerated Program
ii.
Maintaining CGPA
iii.
Change of Majors
iv.
Scholarships
v.
Articulation with other Universities
3. Junior & Senior Students
i.
Dissertation
ii.
Internship / Internship Project
iii.
Career Progression
iv.
Articulation with other Universities
4. MBA Students
i.
Importance of MBA study
ii.
Academic rigor at Masters level
iii.
MBA learning methodologies
B. ORIENTATION TO NEW FACULTY & STAFF MEMBERS
Dean orients new faculty and staff so as to enable them to be inducted
into the institution and understand the institutional vision, mission and
goals and their roles and responsibilities to achieve the vision of the
institution.

C. New Students
Dean orients students about BBA & MBA programs and the role of SUC in
accomplishing its vision. He also covers the roles and responsibilities of
students and the expected academic rigor to meet the SUC vision.

VI.

EVALUATION
A. Faculty
i.

Introduction
Head of Academics evaluates the both the BBA and MBA faculty
members based on their academic performance.

ii.

HOAs Faculty evaluation component with weight

Component
Overall impression
about the faculty
members performance
as per fulfillment of
academic operations

Weight

10%

B. Staf
i.

Introduction
Head of Academics evaluates the Head of Departments based on
their overall performance and achievement status of their goals.

ii.

HOAs Staf evaluation component with weight

Component
Evaluation of overall
performance of the
HODs including the
achievement status of
the goals as per KPIs

iii.

Evaluation Matrix

Weight

10%

S.No.

Components

Weights

Interpersonal and
Communication Skills

10.00%

Productivity/Quantity of Work

10.00%

Relationships with Clients

5.00%

Work Habits

5.00%

Personnel Management

15.00%

Leadership

15.00%

Overall Management

40.00%

TOTAL (Standard)

100%