The foundation programme department of English at Qatar University (QU) has been awarded five-year accreditation by the Commission on English Language Teaching Accreditation (CEA), the official US body for accrediting intensive English language programmes.
The accreditation period for the newly-restructured one-year, two-level programme is December 2013- December 2018. A further 10 years will be granted if the programme continues to meet the 44 exacting standards of the CEA.
It is the second time the department has achieved this honour. It was granted CEA accreditation in 2009 to its previous two-year programme which later underwent a restructuring process, firstly to a one-year, four-level programme and later to the current one-year two-level programme.
In Summer 2012, as per the CEA requirement for accreditation of the new programme, the department conducted an exhaustive self-study into all aspects of its operation, including its mission, curriculum, assessment, testing, administration, appraisal systems, professional development offerings and faculty, and submitted a substantive report to the accrediting body. A follow-up site visit in October 2013 by the CEA team included interviews, lesson observations, focus groups with faculty and students and an exhaustive document review, resulting in final
approval from the commission.
Foundation programme acting director Dr Mohamed al-Naemi said: “This prestigious accreditation of the English programme is of immense benefit to students and faculty alike – it adds value to the teaching and learning environment of the foundation programme and keeps abreast of the wider institutional mission and vision to contribute to the goals outlined in Qatar National Vision and the development strategies. Further, it is an affirmation of the professional reputation of Qatar University as a whole.”
Department head Patrick Murphy said: “This is an endorsement of the continuing commitment by the faculty and staff of the department to deliver a high-quality, internationally-recognised intensive English programme to equip undergraduate national and international students with the English skills they need to pursue English-medium degrees in science and engineering.”