Advisory Board & Committees - GAAAA

Advisory Board & Committees

Expert guidance ensuring excellence in accreditation standards and practices across the Gulf region

GAAAA's Advisory Board and specialized committees bring together leading educators, quality assurance experts, and industry professionals from across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. These dedicated individuals provide strategic guidance, develop accreditation standards, and ensure our processes remain rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the evolving educational landscape of the Middle East.

Our Committees

Specialized groups focused on specific aspects of accreditation and quality assurance

International Advisory Board

Strategic Oversight

Provides strategic direction and ensures GAAAA maintains alignment with international accreditation standards while respecting regional educational contexts.

Key Responsibilities

✓ Review and advise on accreditation standards
✓ Provide international perspective on quality assurance
✓ Foster global recognition of GAAAA accreditation
✓ Guide strategic partnerships and collaborations

Board Members

Prof. James Richardson
Chair
Former President, UK Quality Assurance Agency
Dr. Fatima Al-Zaabi
Vice Chair
Director of Quality, UAE Ministry of Education
Prof. Ahmed Al-Rashid
Member
Vice Chancellor, King Saud University
Dr. Sarah Thompson
Member
Senior Advisor, European Association for QA

Committee on Accreditation

Decision Making

Reviews evaluation reports and makes final accreditation decisions for institutions and programs across the Gulf region.

Key Responsibilities

✓ Review site visit reports and institutional submissions
✓ Make accreditation decisions (grant, deny, defer)
✓ Ensure consistency in accreditation standards
✓ Handle appeals and reconsideration requests

Committee Members

Dr. Mohammed Al-Kuwari
Committee Chair
President, Qatar University
Prof. Layla Al-Mansoori
Vice Chair
Dean, American University of Sharjah
Dr. Khalid Al-Hashimi
Member
Provost, Sultan Qaboos University
Dr. Noor Al-Khalifa
Member
Vice President, University of Bahrain
Prof. Abdullah Al-Otaibi
Member
Director, Kuwait University Quality Office
Dr. Maha Al-Mazrouei
Member
Academic Affairs Director, Higher Colleges UAE

Standards Development Committee

Quality Standards

Develops, reviews, and updates accreditation standards, criteria, and evaluation methodologies to ensure they remain current and effective.

Key Responsibilities

✓ Develop and revise accreditation standards
✓ Create evaluation criteria and rubrics
✓ Align standards with regional and international benchmarks
✓ Conduct periodic standards review and updates

Committee Members

Prof. Hessa Al-Thani
Committee Chair
Dean of Research, Qatar Foundation
Dr. Saeed Al-Mazrouei
Member
Quality Director, Dubai Knowledge Authority
Dr. Amina Hassan
Member
Associate Professor, King Abdulaziz University
Prof. Omar Al-Sabah
Member
Academic Standards Officer, Kuwait PAA

GCC Regional Harmonization Committee

Regional Coordination

Ensures consistency in accreditation practices across GCC countries while respecting each nation's unique educational context and requirements.

Key Responsibilities

✓ Coordinate accreditation standards across GCC states
✓ Facilitate regional recognition of qualifications
✓ Address country-specific educational needs
✓ Promote student and faculty mobility

Committee Members

Dr. Rashid Al-Nuaimi
UAE Representative
Director, CAA Abu Dhabi
Prof. Turki Al-Saud
Saudi Arabia Representative
Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education
Dr. Jasim Al-Kuwari
Qatar Representative
Secretary General, Education Evaluation
Dr. Fatima Al-Kooheji
Bahrain Representative
CEO, Quality Assurance Authority
Dr. Bader Al-Ajmi
Kuwait Representative
Director General, Private Universities
Dr. Said Al-Busaidi
Oman Representative
Director, Oman Academic Accreditation

Evaluator Training & Development Committee

Capacity Building

Develops training programs for peer evaluators and ensures all site visit teams are equipped with necessary skills and knowledge for effective institutional assessment.

Key Responsibilities

✓ Design evaluator training programs
✓ Maintain pool of qualified peer reviewers
✓ Conduct ongoing professional development
✓ Monitor evaluator performance and quality

Committee Members

Dr. Aisha Al-Suwaidi
Committee Chair
Training Director, Emirates Quality Authority
Prof. Hassan Al-Malki
Member
Professor of Education, Qatar University
Dr. Mariam Al-Neyadi
Member
Quality Enhancement Officer, Zayed University