I will not go into the details of the resounding fall of Kuwait University in all relevant global evaluation indicators, which was something that a few good people preceded me to. And I will not pay attention to the horrific justifications of some of those responsible for it, for God has commanded to cover up. However, I will guide you on the way back to the right path without complication and prolongation.
(Performance measurement) is what you need at the present time. Performance measurement is a work that highlights deficiencies and their causes and is complementary to quality control, whether at the level of the individual (faculty member) or the organizational unit (college), or at the level of the institution (Kuwait University). Accordingly, the overall performance of the institution is the integrated outcome of the results of its work and its interaction with its internal and external environment, and in order to pave the way for more than that, I will briefly analyze those levels for you.
The first level: measuring the individual performance, which consists of the activities that the individual performs to carry out his assigned tasks or responsibilities that he carries out in the organizational unit, to contribute to achieving its goals. In terms of the desired quantity or quality, the most important indicators for evaluating performance at this level are (the amount of work performed compared to the targeted standard goals. The time spent in doing this work compared to the standard time. The cost of completing the work compared to the standard cost. The degree of cooperation with superiors, colleagues, and customers as reflected in the indicators of Satisfaction with the work environment and auditors’ satisfaction, willingness to exert excessive effort in situations that require it, taking responsibility and taking the initiative to solve work problems, loyalty and belonging to the organization).
The second level: measuring the performance of the organizational units. Usually, the senior management in the institution or the department represents the measurement and control of the quality of education in it, and it is predominant in this evaluation to use indicators of effectiveness and administrative efficiency, such as (the extent to which the operational goals of the unit are achieved and their interdependence with the strategic objectives of the institution, and quality assurance standards Institutional and programmatic, the degree of specialization and clarity of the division of labor to prevent duplication and conflict, the degree of use of modern technologies in teaching and communication and in work in general, the clarity of powers and the degree of delegation, the extent of cooperation in work teams and committees formed to accomplish urgent and special tasks, the extent of the use of the capabilities of individuals in organizational units, and the extent of commitment established costs and standard budgets).
The third level: the institutional performance reflects the extent to which the institution’s performance responds effectively to the conditions and variables of the external and internal environment, as well as the expectations of the relevant parties. performance methods to achieve these goals. One of the most important tools for evaluating the performance of institutions is (the use of performance indicators for institutional quality assurance standards, as well as the use of appropriate types of comparisons in this field). Here, it is assumed that external monitoring bodies, such as the Supreme Education Council, the Council of Public Universities, and the National Authority for Academic Accreditation, carry out the tasks of monitoring the performance of institutions and programs in post-secondary education, based on measures that reflect the degree of quality of performance of these institutions, in addition to the performance indicators of their strategic plans.
The evaluation process is one of the most important processes carried out by the educational institution through which the level of quality can be determined in all administrative, academic, and research aspects, and thus the possibility of the institution obtaining accreditation or not. In order to judge the performance of the educational institution or academic programs, there is a need to find supporting evidence and information. Among this evidence are performance indicators, in addition to the need for a reference comparison with similar institutions and programs that have good practices that can be benefited from, or information and measurements that can be compared with these bodies to judge performance.
Finally, do not pant after improving the classification, in order to obtain it in form without content, but prepare the equipment by designing a phased road map for quality, which includes reasonable expectations for the required period for each stage.
Dr. Khaled Al-Nafisi
Published in Al-Qabas newspaper
