Arab Open University

Introduction

Arab Open University (AOU) is a private nonprofit Arab university which was founded in 2002.
Arab Open University consists of eight branches located in Oman, Saudi Arab, Kuwait, Sudan,
Jordan, Egypt and Bahrain. AOU offers flexible programmes and modules of study which are
similar to those offered by the reputable educational institutes of the world. The AOU (Arab
Open University), Oman campus provides high quality, innovative and professionally focused
education to its students against a reasonable fee. AOU opted advanced learning system which
distinguish the tutoring process with conventional way of teaching. The delivery methodology is
based on progressive and programmed lectures such as internet based learning (Abdelraheem and
Qaboos, 2006).

Strengths

The university developed a Quality framework through which the management ensures
consistency and uniformity in the policies and procedures of AOU. The defined quality assurance
procedures are followed in the eight branches of the universities. AOU has to comply with these
rules and regulations of ministry of Higher education or quality assurance agency of AOU.AOU
is using its quality Assurance department in maintaining quality of education by introducing new
programs that are responsive to the local market. The University is encouraging and supporting
their student to use electronically technology for their ease and focusing on improving means of
communication among Students, Faculty and staff members of the University The faculty
members hired by AOU have wealth of experience in their respective fields. Workshops, Seminar
and Training sessions are arranged for the faculty members so that the faculty member will get
updated with new teaching methods. AOU, Oman Campus has a sound policy of Equal
Opportunity and Respect for Diversity which ensure the rights of student, faculty members,
Visitors and other staff of the university. AOU discriminates victimization and harassment
against any member which is associated with the university (arabou.edu.kw, 2016)
Weaknesses

AOU is facing some serious problems which can affect the overall performance of the university
for instance, the salaries of the faculty members are not sufficient enough to attract new faculty
members, benefits given to the faculty and staff members are inferior to the benefits given in the
universities of the region. Employees may leave the organization because of low perks and
financial benefits. Like other Universities AOU is lacking institutional program or policy for
helping spouse of potential faculty find employment locally, the policy makes it difficult for
AOU to retain and recruit new faculty members. According to the policy of AOU, undergraduate
core courses are offered once in a year and many elective courses are offered in most of the
semesters. AOU needs to provide same perks and privileges to the staff and faculty members as
provided by other universities in the region. Some Universities in the Middle East starts new
programs such as bioinformatics and engineering, to grab a large pool of students AOU needs to
start these programs. Employers in the region are giving much consideration to AOU graduates
(arabou.edu.kw, 2016).

Opportunities

AOU holds international membership of three different institutions which includes Global
university network for innovation, Association of Arab universities and International Council for
open and distance education. AOU not only operates in Middle East but now they are affiliated
some degree programs including B.A. Honors program in English language, B.A. in Business
studies and B.A. program in computer science , with open university of UK. According to the
academic policy of AOU, if a student does not have sufficient command on basic skill i.e.
Mathematics, English and computers, the instructor has to provide full assistance to the students
and teach them the basic concepts. AOU made a five year plan for different academics programs
which includes, updating the curriculum and course content, add new programs and recruit high
quality junior faculty. Through enhancement and innovation in there five years plan AOU can
enrolled more students of Arab countries in the university (arabou.edu.kw, 2016).
Threats

AOU provides excellent learning and teaching resources to their students but still there is a need
for improvement i.e. state of the are technological facilities. In order to enhance teaching and
learning facilities AOU needs to improve their technological facilities such as libraries and labs.
The university needs to encourage their staff to develop recorded video versions of their tutorials.
The university needs to promoting repositories of knowledge and e-libraries. AOU needs to
update and support the use of LMS in all eight branches. Moreover, within the AOU monitoring
is an ongoing activity, annual monitoring procedures involves a wide range of activities
including procedures, staff and student feedback and physical inspection of the system. Through
this monitoring procedure the students will get satisfied after giving their suggestions and
reviews about university procedure (B. Wegner, C. Holloway and M. Garton, 1999).

Conclusion

Every Organization has some strengths and weaknesses, and there are opportunities within the
environment which if, can be capitalized there are chances that the organization can achieve
great success. All the eight campuses of Arab Open University have to comply by their quality
assurance department or by the higher education commission. The University is offering
programmes of business studies, computer studies, education, general studies and language
studies. AOU has defined some extensive and sound policies not only for the faculty members
but also for the students, but still there is a need for improvement. Like any other University
AOU is also adopting some academic policies which need to be reviewed i.e. Core courses needs
to be offered more than once in a year. The university hires experienced faculty members to
transfer their knowledge to the students of AOU. The main strength of AOU is their existence in
major countries of Middle East. A wide range of programmes influence a student to take
admission in their university, not only that employers who wants to study can also did a degree
from AOU with ease.

References

Abdelraheem, A. and Qaboos, S. (2006). The implementation of e-learning in the Arab

Universities: Challenges and opportunities.
Arabou.edu.kw, a. (2016). Learning & Teaching Strategic Plan 2012-2017.

B. Wegner, D., C. Holloway, D. and M. Garton, E. (1999). The Effects of Internet-Based

Instruction on Student Learning. 3, 2.

Kottler, P. (2011). Marketing Management A South Asian Perspective. 13th ed.