The Islamic Sciences Accreditation Agency (IAA) successfully completed the International Rubric-Based Evaluator Training Program, held from November 26–28, 2025, hosted by the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University. Aiming to train evaluators who will participate in international accreditation processes, this training represented an important step toward the development of academic quality assurance systems.
The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Alansari, Chair of the IAA International Accreditation Council (IAC). Dr. Alansari emphasized the importance of reliable and transparent evaluation processes in higher education, highlighting the role of institutional collaboration in fostering a culture of quality.
Following the opening, Prof. Dr. Halis Aydemir, Chair of the IAA Board of Directors, addressed the participants. Prof. Aydemir presented IAA’s vision and accreditation models, noting that rubric-based approaches enable evaluators to conduct more objective and measurable assessments. He also discussed the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) cycle as a foundational framework for quality assurance.
Subsequently, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahaeldin Makkawi presented on “Quality System in Higher Education,” Prof. Dr. Ghazalla Benhusein on “Quality in Higher Education in Libya,” Dr. Mohammad Syairozi Dimyathi Ilyas on “Quality in Higher Education in Indonesia,” and Dr. Mohamed Abubakr Al-Musleh on “Accreditation Experiences of the College of Sharia at Qatar University,” sharing quality assurance practices from different regions during the opening session.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahaeldin Makkawi – “Quality Systems in Higher Education”
Prof. Dr. Ghazalla Benhusein – “Quality in Higher Education in Libya”
Dr. Mohammad Syairozi Dimyathi Ilyas – “Quality in Higher Education in Indonesia”
Dr. Mohamed Abubakr Al-Musleh – “Experiences in the Accreditation Process of the Collage of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Qatar University”
Snapshots from the Training Opening Program
Thursday, November 27, 2025
The second day of the International Rubric-Based Evaluator Training Program, organized by the Islamic Sciences Accreditation Agency (IAA), continued with fully practical and interactive activities. Participants had the opportunity to apply the rubric-based evaluation approach to real-life scenarios. The first session of the day began with a Jigsaw activity conducted by IAA Board Chair Prof. Dr. Halis Aydemir. Participants experienced analyzing situations encountered in accreditation processes through group work and developing common evaluation criteria. This was followed by a case study session led by Dr. Mokhtar Badri, where quality assessment perspectives were discussed using real institutional examples. Participants practiced strategic approaches and evidence-based decision-making processes in the evaluator role. After the lunch break and midday prayer, a self-assessment report simulation was conducted by IAA Board Member Prof. Dr. Ahmet Türkan. Participants practically worked on the structure, evidence presentation, and performance indicators that should be considered when preparing a self-assessment report for an institution. Another important session of the day was the field visit – questioning activity, conducted by IAC Secretary Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Çelik. Participants were trained on effective question types and communication strategies to be used during interviews with stakeholders in field visits. In the final session, a report writing activity led by IAA Board Member Prof. Dr. Rifat Türkel focused on the methodology of the evaluation report, one of the most critical stages of accreditation processes. Participants practiced providing evidence-based feedback, ensuring the language of findings aligns with academic ethics, and generating recommendations. At the end of the day, the evaluator training assessment survey was conducted online, followed by the certificate presentation ceremony and IAA name badge pinning ceremony. Participants successfully completed the training with badges symbolizing their international evaluator title.
Jigsaw Event
Case Study Event
Self-Assessment Report (Simulation Activity)
Site Visit – Questions Activity
Report Writing Activity
Certificate Presentation and IAA Name Badge Pinning Ceremony
Presentation of Appreciation Certificates to the Trainers
Friday, November 28, 2025
On the final day, participants explored Qatar’s rich cultural heritage. The cultural tour included visits to key historical and cultural sites, offering insights into local traditions and a deeper understanding of Qatar’s cultural landscape. This concluding activity provided a memorable and engaging finale to the three-day training program.
Islamic Cultural Center
Museum of Islamic Arts
Souq Waqif
