Development and Implementation of Quality Assurance System in Pharmacy Program in Saudi Arabia to Achieve National Commission for Academic Assessment and Accreditation (NCAAA) Standards

Abstract

This study was designed to discuss the guidance to develop and implement quality assurance
system, procedures, and practices in Pharm-D program according to National Commission for Academic
Assessment and Accreditation (NCAAA). There is an emerging demand to apply quality assurance in Pharmacy education in Saudi Arabia. There is a tendency towards achieving accreditation as per the available resources and manpower in Saudi Universities. The effect of implementing NCAAA quality assurance system
in programs appears to streamline the educational and administrative operations on long term. This study
was conducted in College of Pharmacy at King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia Data was collected
through document review. Document review was used to generate data from different reports, manuals, procedures, case studies, and working papers. The accreditation process lasted about two years, culminating in
the preparation of a self-evaluation report and a visit of external reviewers from NCAAA. The process itself
brought significant changes in the educational processes and administration within the college. The implementation of the quality assurance system indicated significant improvements in the quality of education in
the College. The ultimate goal of quality assurance system implementation is to maintain and improve the
quality of teaching and learning experience for all stakeholders. The quality assurance system examines the
institutional goals, program improvement and comprehensive review processes, facilities and resources in
the institution. NCAAA supports and legitimizes standards and criteria for accreditation that help institutions to state, practice, and review their mission and goals with the ability for improvement through regular
assessment, planning, change and reassessment.