National Academic

Reference Standards
(NARS)

Magdy Kassem
Suez Canal University
Two ideas that underpin the QA
frame work:

1 - Explicit learning outcomes

and

2- Referencing against appropriate

reference points
Two ideas that underpin the QA frame
work:
1 - Explicit learning outcomes
and
2- Referencing against appropriate reference points
Exp lic it Lea rning Out co mes and
Informat io n on Achi ev em ent

Institutional External

Institutional and External Points of Reference for Learning Outcomes and Standard
1 - Explicit learning outcomes
and
2- Referencing against appropriate reference
points
Exp lic it Lea rning Out co mes and
Informat io n on Achi ev em ent

Institutional External

Na tion al
Su bject Qualif ica ti ons
Program Fr ame Work s
Specification Benchmar ks Code of Practic es

Institutional and External Points of Reference for Learning Outcomes and Standard
1- Referencing against appropriate reference
points
and
2 - Explicit learning outcomes
Exp lic it Lea rning Out co mes and
Informat io n on Achi ev em ent

Institutional External

Na tion al
Su bject Qualif ica ti ons
Program Fr ame Work s
Specification Benchmar ks Code of Practic es

NARS

Institutional and External Points of Reference for Learning Outcomes and Standard
QAAP Criteria for Accreditation

-ILO’s
Academic -Curriculum
Standards
-Student Assessment
-Student Achievement
NARS
Quality
of
learning
opportunities

Research & Other scholarly

Effective of
quality
management
Community
Involvement
 Generic Specifications for Academic
Standards

 The content and skills described in the standards reflect

the recognized essential concepts and basic knowledge
of the discipline.
 The standards are rigorous (that is, both demanding and
precise), and require students to apply, analyze,
synthesize, and evaluate.
 The standards are clear and appropriate for grade
level.
 The standards are written at a level of specificity that will
best inform instruction, neither so narrow as to be
trivial nor so broad as to be meaningless.
 The standards reflect an appropriate balance of content
and skills.
 The standards are aligned with national and world-class
 Accreditation/Standar
ds

Input Based early

stages
-Faculty
-Facilities
-Space
 Accreditation/Standar
ds

Input Based early

stages
-Faculty
-Facilities
-Space

+
Output Based later on
- - Intended learning outcomes
- - Attainment level
Objectives
The primary purposes of the National Academic
Reference Standards (NARS) are to assist: -
Objectives
The primary purposes of the Academic
Standards are to assist: -

• higher education institutions in designing and

validating programs of study
 Objectives
The primary purposes of the Academic
Standards and Benchmarking Statements are to
assist: -

• higher education institutions in designing and

validating programs of study

• academic reviewers and external examiners in

verifying and comparing standards;
 Objectives
The primary purposes of the Academic Standards
and Benchmarking Statements are to assist: -

• higher education institutions in designing and

validating programs of study

• academic reviewers and external examiners in

verifying and comparing standards;

• where appropriate, professional bodies during

accreditation and review processes;

•
 Objectives
The primary purposes of the Academic Standards
and Benchmarking Statements are to assist: -

• higher education institutions in designing and

validating programs of study

• academic reviewers and external examiners in

verifying and comparing standards;

• where appropriate, professional bodies during

accreditation and review processes;

• students and employers when seeking

information about higher education provision.
 .New
Dev Scient
elop ific &
Kno m e nts Tech
w le
dge
– In
tell
ectu
al –
Pra
ctic
al s
kills
ICT
Innovation

Stakeholders needs
Aw
Professional ethics

Learning to Learn
are
f lo o
cal
and
inte
rna
ion t
al c
han
.Gl

ges
b o
 Innovation
Capstone
Project

n ts
PBL Mini projects
lo p h
me
ve ec

ob
.Gl
De w T

Specialization
e
.N

Engineering Engineering
Sciences Design

Foundation Entrepreneurship

Mathematics Humanities
B.Sciences

Stakeholders
 NARS
1- What is ) the field of study(

)Attributes of )the graduating Student .2

NARS.3

)knowledge & understanding + skills ) Intellectual, Practical & transferable(

‫‪NARS‬‬
‫مواصفات الخريج‬

‫المعرفة والفهم‬
‫&‪Knowledge ‬‬
‫‪understanding‬‬
‫مهارات‬ ‫مهارات‬
‫وجدانية‬ ‫عملية‬
‫‪ Intellectual‬الخريج‬ ‫مواصفات ‪Practical ‬‬
‫‪    Skills‬‬ ‫‪Skills‬‬
‫مهارات‬
‫عامة‬
‫&‪General‬‬
‫‪Transferable Skills‬‬

‫مواصفات الخريج‬
 Blooms Taxonomy
Level Key question Likely words
Knowledge What do you know? define/repeat/name/state/r
ecall

Comprehension How can you convey explain/discuss/express/ide

ntify
understanding?

Application How can you apply demonstrate/apply/use/ope

knowledge? rate

Analysis How can you analyze test/calculate/categories/in

fer
what you know?

Synthesis How can you synthesize design/construct/create/pro

what you know? pose

Evaluation How can you evaluate judge/appraise/evaluate/as

sess
what you know?
 Engineering NARS
1.What is Engineering?
2.The attributes of an engineer
the skilled application of a distinctive
body of knowledge and Understanding
based on:
mathematics, science and technology, integrated with:
business and management,
which is acquired through education and professional formation in a particular
engineering discipline.

The engineer must be able to exercise original thought, have good

professional judgment and be able to take responsibility for the direction of
important tasks.
It is necessary therefore that undergraduate programs for engineering students
foster and inculcate the following knowledge and understanding, abilities,
and qualities of mind.
 The Attributes of an Engineer

 an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and

engineering concepts to the solution of complex
engineering problems
 an ability to design and conduct experiments and to
analyze and interpret data
 an ability to design a system, component or process to
meet required needs
 an ability to function within multi-disciplinary teams
 an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering
problems
 an understanding of professional and ethical
responsibilities
 an ability to communicate effectively
 an ability to consider and avoid the detrimental impact of
engineering solutions within social or global measures
 an ability to use the techniques, skills and modern
engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
 The Attributes of an Engineer

- An ability to apply knowledge of:

mathematics,
science and
engineering concepts
to the solution of :
complex engineering problems
 Attributes of Pharmacy Graduates

 Master relevant data on :

various medicines including
actions ,
uses, and
drug-drug, drug disease and drug -food
interaction,
as well as adverse effects.
 The attributes of a typical
graduate in Veterinary
 Graduate has a profound knowledge and understanding of normal
animal, poultry and fish structure and function, as well as
abnormalities that occur in common diseases.
 The graduate has the skills of animal management and behavior
within a safe environment.
 The graduate can diagnose, assess, prevent and treat common and
important animal diseases in a variety of settings.
 The graduate contributes in solving complex animal diseases,
welfare and environmental problems in the surrounding society.
 The graduate contributes in increasing understanding in the society
by application of scientific methods in research and analysis
working collaborative with other professionals.
 The graduate operates with respect for the legal and other
regulations and applies the veterinary code of practice including
ethics.
 The graduate have a profound knowledge and understanding of the
economic impact and factors on delivery of animal health care, as
well as nutrition and nutritional standards.
 The graduate has the appropriate professional and personal
attitudes and behavior, including critical evaluation, curiosity and
life long learning skills as well as ethical and legal frame of medical
practice.
 The graduate is proficient in basic veterinary clinical skills and
interpret the findings to demonstrate competence in the
performance of basic technical procedures.
 The attributes of a typical
graduate in Veterinary

 The graduate can:

diagnose,
assess,
prevent and
treat common and important animal
diseases

in a variety of settings.
‫‪NARS‬‬
‫مواصفات الخريج‬

‫المعرفة والفهم‬
‫&‪Knowledge ‬‬
‫‪understanding‬‬
‫مهارات‬ ‫مهارات‬
‫وجدانية‬ ‫عملية‬
‫‪ Intellectual‬الخريج‬ ‫مواصفات ‪Practical ‬‬
‫‪    Skills‬‬ ‫‪Skills‬‬
‫مهارات‬
‫عامة‬
‫&‪General‬‬
‫‪Transferable Skills‬‬

‫مواصفات الخريج‬
NARS
‫المعرفة والفهم‬
Knowledge &
understanding
‫مهارات‬ ‫مهارات‬
‫وجدانية‬ ‫عملية‬
Intellectual Practical 
    Skills Skills
‫مهارات‬
‫عامة‬
General&
Transferable Skills
 Engineering
 Knowledge and Understanding Of:
 - Mathematics ,science, engineering and ITC
appropriate to the discipline.
 - Design principles of a component, process or a
system and their application to the specific
discipline.
 - Principles of problem solving and systems
thinking.
 - Professional ethics and social-economical impact
of engineering solutions locally and globally.
 - Modern engineering techniques for manufacturing
and operational practice.
 - Quality systems, codes of practice, safety
requirements and environmental issues.
 - Entrepreneurial and commercial practice.
 Engineering

 Knowledge and Understanding Of:

 - Mathematics ,science, engineering and ITC
 - Design principles of
 - Principles of problem solving
 - Professional ethics
 - Modern engineering techniques
 - Quality systems, codes of practice, safety
environmental
 - Entrepreneurial and commercial practice.
 Pharmacy
 Knowledge and understanding:

The properties of materials that they handle and

the effect that these properties have on the
formulation of medicines.
 Intellectual skills:
 - Ability to use selected/appropriate mathematical,
science, engineering and ICT knowledge in analysing
and solving engineering problems.
 - Ability to use appropriate scientific principles of
mathematics, science, engineering and ITC to design,
create and analysis a component, system, or process.
 - Ability to commercialize knowledge.
 Practical Skills:
 - Use IT tools and experimental design techniques to
design, test, analysis and interpretation of experiment
and results.
 - Use of measuring and laboratories equipment
necessary for research and testing of design ideas and
engineering practice.
 - Ability to search for information.
 General and Transferable skills:

 - Ability to function in a multidisciplinary

team.
 - Management of self/ Time, flexibility to
adapt to change and working under
contradictory conditions.
 - Effective communication oral and in
writing.
 - Evidence based presentation and
solution of problems.
 - Management of data, knowledge and IT.
 - Management and motivation of people.
 - Providing leadership and vision.
Implementation

 NARS Characterization
NARS Characterization

Indicative Minimum curriculum -

content by knowledge area

Definition of Knowledge Areas-

NARS INDICATIVE CHARACTERIZATION -

OF SUBJECT AREAS( (ILO’s
 ‫المعرفة والفهم‬
Knowledge &
understanding
‫مهارات‬ ‫مهارات‬
‫وجدانية‬ ‫عملية‬
Practical 
Intellectual Skills
    Skills ‫مهارات‬
‫عامة‬
General&
Transferable Skills
 ‫مواصفات الخريج‬

‫المعرفة والفهم‪NARS‬‬
‫&‪Knowledge ‬‬
‫‪understanding‬‬
‫مهارات‬ ‫مهارات‬
‫ل‬ ‫ا‬
‫ي‬‫وجدانية خر‬ ‫عملية‬
‫ج‬ ‫‪Practical ‬‬ ‫مواصفات‬
‫‪Intellectual‬‬ ‫‪Skills‬‬
‫‪    Skills‬‬ ‫مهارات‬
‫عامة‬
‫&‪General‬‬
‫‪Transferable Skills‬‬

‫مواصفات الخريج‬
 ‫مواصفات الخريج‬

NARS‫المعرفة والفهم‬

Cha
Characterization

ract
Knowledge &
understanding
‫مهارات‬

eriz
‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫مهارات‬
‫ي‬‫وجدانية خر‬ ‫عملية‬

atio
‫ج‬ Practical  ‫مواصفات‬
Intellectual Skills

n
    Skills ‫مهارات‬
‫عامة‬
General&
Transferable Skills

‫مواصفات الخريج‬
 ‫مواصفات الخريج‬

NARS‫المعرفة والفهم‬

Cha
Characterization

ract
Knowledge &

fication
fication

understanding
‫مهارات‬

eriz
‫ل‬ ‫ا‬ ‫مهارات‬
‫ي‬‫وجدانية خر‬ ‫عملية‬

atio
‫ج‬ Practical 

Program speci
Program speci

Intellectual ‫مواصفات‬
Skills

n
    Skills ‫مهارات‬
‫عامة‬
General&
Transferable Skills

‫مواصفات الخريج‬
 Accomplishments:
 Engineering Sector: 17
 Agriculture: 14
 Basic Sciences: 7
 Pharmacy: 1
 Nursing: 1
 Veterinary : 1
NQAAC- Egypt Total: 41
 Challenges
Challenges

 Implementation is difficult due to lack of :

- Experience
- Financial resources
 More efforts to finish the other specializations
 Responsibilities

 Implementation is the responsibility of the

Ministry of higher education.
 Extensive workshops are needed to support
faculties to use the NARS.
 Conclusion
 We are on the Wright track but
too much efforts need to be
done
Thank you

Magdy Kassem