ISO systems and Their Importance in Higher Education and Institutional Accreditation: a Workshop at Damascus University

The Quality Assurance Center at Damascus University organized a workshop on ISO systems and their importance in higher education and institutional accreditation, in cooperation with the Syrian Center for ISO Experts. The workshop was attended by President of Damascus University, Professor Dr. Muhammad Osama Al-Jabban, Vice President of for Scientific Research and Postgraduate Studies, and quality representatives from the faculties of Damascus University and its higher institutes.

Dr. Amira Nour, Director of the Quality Assurance Center at the university, stated that the aim of this workshop is to raise awareness of the importance of ISO systems and the certificates it grants, both in educational and non-educational institutions.

Dr. Nour indicated that Damascus University will focus during the next stage on how to benefit from this standard during the feasibility study and statement of results, which will contribute to creating a good scientific and practical environment for the conduct of the educational process within the university, stressing the importance of benefiting from the expertise present in the Syrian Center for ISO Experts during this stage.

During his participation in the workshop, Director of the Syrian Center for ISO Experts, Dr. Hani Al-Ali, spoke about the role of the International Organization for Standardization and the international ISO specifications and the importance of using the specifications of quality management systems in the world, pointing out that the ISO systems are the result of global experience and good practice, and that meeting the requirements of these specifications when managing an organization is equally important whether academic, industrial, or service, according to a scientific approach, which ultimately leads to the satisfaction of the community concerned with the institution.

In her intervention, consultant expert at the Syrian Center for ISO Experts, Dr. Rana Maya, talked about the principles and requirements of the ISO 21001 that are related to the management system of educational institutions and its benefits, noting that this system is an approved international specification for quality management systems in educational institutions