ACADEMIC APPRAISAL POLICY
1.0 Definitions
1.1 The following words and expressions shall have the meaning hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Appraisal: A structured evaluation process designed to assess Academic Members performance’s effectiveness and efficiency, and improve their professional performance, development, and achievements.
1.1.2 Academic Appraisal Portfolio: An electronic dossier that forms the basis of the Academic Appraisal, and includes evidence of Teaching and Academic Professional Development, Scholarly and Creative Activities, and Services, undertaken during the Evaluation Period.
1.1.3 Academic Calendar: A representation of the periods associated with the University’s operations, containing the teaching periods, exam and holiday dates, and key deadlines, which is approved by the University's Board of Trustees.
1.1.4 Appraisal Cycle: The period of time from when the Academic Member is informed of requirements of the Academic Appraisal, to when he/she submits all documents and evidence pertaining to the Academic Appraisal.
1.1.5 Academic Members: Faculty Members and Instructional Members.
1.1.6 Academic Management: Academic Members assigned administrative duties of a: President, Vice President, Associate Vice President, Academic Manager, Director, Dean, Associate/Assistant Dean, Department Head, Program Head and other Heads (as applicable).
1.1.7 Academic Professional Development: Planned activities and events that provide for and contribute to the personal and professional improvement of Academic Members, and are intended to help Academic Members improve their professional knowledge, competence, skill, and effectiveness.
1.1.8 Academic Promotion: Advancement to the next higher Academic Rank through formal academic recognition by the University of a specified record of achievement by the full-time Academic Member, and of the Academic Member’s potential to make a continuing contribution to the University’s mission and Strategic Priorities in (a) Teaching, (b) Scholarly/Creative Activities, and (c) Service.
1.1.9 Academic Rank: The rank held by the Academic Members in the University, having hierarchical titles such as Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer, Senior Technical Instructor, Lecturer, Technical Instructor, Assistant Lecturer, Workshop/Lab/Clinical Instructor, Assistant Technical Instructor, Trades Technical Instructor, and Teaching Assistant.
1.1.10 Academic Research Members: University employees devoted primarily to Research, whether on part-time or full-time basis, holding the following position titles: Post-Doctoral Researcher (Post-Doc), Research Associate, or Research Assistants.
1.1.11 Academic Unit: An entity within the University that delivers Courses for Programs or for entry into Programs.
1.1.12 Academic Year: The 12-month period defined in the University’s Academic Calendar, as approved by the Board.
1.1.13 Board: The Board of Trustees of the University.
1.1.14 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific Learning Outcomes.
1.1.15 Evaluation Period: A period within the Appraisal Cycle, that starts when the Department/Program Head (Academic) receives the Academic Appraisal Portfolio from the Academic Member and ends when the Dean/Academic Manager signs the final evaluation report.
1.1.16 Faculty Members: Members of the Teaching and/or Research staff, whether on part-time or full-time contracts, holding the following ranks: Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer/Senior Technical Instructor, or Lecturer/Technical Instructor.
1.1.17 Instructional Members: Members of the Teaching staff, whether on part-time or full-time contracts, holding the following titles: Assistant Lecturer/or Workshop/Lab/Clinical Instructor, Assistant Technical Instructor, Trades Technical Instructor, or Teaching Assistant.
1.1.18 Learning Outcomes: The knowledge, skills, and competencies that a Student can demonstrate upon completion of an educational activity, Course, or Program.
1.1.19 Learning Session: Classes, labs, placements or work term prescribed by a Course.
1.1.20 Non-Teaching Academics: University Employees devoted primarily to non-teaching academic-related duties, except for Academic Research Members, whether on part- or full-time basis, under the following categories:
1.1.20.1 Category 1 (hereafter referred to as “Category 1 Employees” for the purpose of this policy):
1.1.20.1.1 All Employees in the ‘Program Development and Accreditation Department’ and ‘Applied and Experiential Learning Department’, except for administrative support Employees; and,
1.1.20.1.2 Academic Members seconded to non-teaching positions; or,
1.1.20.2 Category 2 (hereafter referred to as “Category 2 Employees” for the purpose of this policy): Employees in the following and similar positions providing academic support: Laboratory (Lab) Technician, or Laboratory (Lab) Technologist.
1.1.21 Program: A prescribed set of Courses leading to a qualification, including a Certificate, Diploma (2 years), Advanced Diploma (3 years), Bachelor, Post Graduate Diploma, Master, or Doctorate, according to the Qatar National Qualifications Framework.
1.1.22 Research: The systematic and organized investigation of a subject/topic, and study of the materials and sources in order to establish new knowledge and/or reach new conclusions.
1.1.23 Scholarly/Creative Activities: The empirical (experiential and applied) Research that is aligned to the focus of the University, and the orientation of the vocational and technical type of the education the University is providing, and intellectual attainment including; published journal papers, peer reviewed conference articles, book chapters, as well as other activities that are peer reviewed and/or publicly disseminated and which include the discovery of new knowledge; development of new materials/practices and/or new uses for existing materials/practices; and which broaden and expand the learning communities in which Academic Members function and in which the University is situated.
1.1.24 Service: Engagement by Academic Members in University wide or departmental activities such as leadership on University committees, program development and accreditation support activities, special project assignments, Academic Advising, or other such work in fulfillment of the University's strategic and academic priorities; in their professional organizations through attendance at meetings, professional presentations, or other such work; and service to the broader community such as representing the University in the broader community, professional presentations to audiences outside the campus; or other such activities.
1.1.25 Semester: A division of an Academic Year where a Student is enrolled in a Course(s) followed by an examination period.
1.1.26 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit Course or who is designated by the University as a Student.
1.1.27 Teaching: The delivery of theoretical and/or practical instruction for the purpose of Student learning and development, that is generally organized by disciplines and/or interdisciplinary of study and administered within an established mode and timeframe.
1.1.28 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.
1.2 Where a word or phrase is given a particular meaning, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have corresponding meanings.
1.3 Where the context requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa.
2.0 Policy Purpose
2.1 This policy sets the standards for conducting the Academic Appraisal for Academic Members in: Teaching and Academic Professional Development, Scholarly and Creative Activities, and Service, and for recognition of meritorious performance through the Academic Appraisal.
3.0 Policy Scope
3.1 The policy and its relevant procedure (PR-AC-09) applies to all Academic Members at the University excluding college Deans, Academic Manager, Foundation Program Unit, Non-Teaching Academics, and Academic Research Members.
4.0 Policy Statements
4.1 The University recognizes that professional, competent, and engaged Academic Members are integral to the delivery of quality educational programs and professional services.
4.2 The Academic Appraisal is a mandatory requirement for all Academic Members at the University.
4.3 The Academic Appraisal is conducted annually, in accordance with the relevant procedure, to provide a continuous improvement record and to assist in the evaluation of Academic Members to support professional growth, institutional development, improvement, and, when applicable, Academic Promotion.
4.4 Academic Appraisal must be set in three (3) key broad components as follows:
4.4.1 Teaching and Academic Professional Development;
4.4.2 Scholarly and Creative Activities;
4.4.3 Service.
4.5 These three (3) key components will provide the Academic Member with a clear framework for setting pedagogical, technical, and professional development in compliance with the criteria given in the Academic Appraisal and as set out in the relevant procedures.
4.6 All parties involved in the Academic Appraisal process must maintain the confidentiality of data and results.
4.7 Academic Members will be evaluated using a qualitative descriptor for each of the three (3) components as well as using an overall qualitative descriptor. The criteria and definition of evaluating each component are provided and defined in the Academic Appraisal Procedure (PR-AC-09). The qualitative descriptors will be as follows:
| QUALITATIVE EVALUATION |
| EXCELLENT |
| VERY GOOD |
| GOOD |
| SATISFACTORY |
| UNSATISFACTORY |
4.8 The timeline and steps for the completion of the Appraisal Cycle must be followed as outlined in the Academic Appraisal Procedure (PR-AC-09). Forms, materials, and related documents pertaining to the Academic Appraisal will be available to Academic Members before the beginning of an Appraisal Cycle.
4.9 Irrespective of its outcome, the Academic Appraisal does not guarantee a change in the Academic Member’s Academic Rank, entitlements, privileges, retention, or benefits.
4.10 Unsatisfactory evaluation on consecutive Academic Appraisals may result in disciplinary action, as outlined in the Academic Appraisal Procedure (PR-AC-09).
4.11 College Deans and the Academic Manager, Foundation Program Unit, will be evaluated per their governing policies applicable to them.
4.12 Academic Research Members and Non-Teaching Academics will be evaluated per their respective governing policies (PL-AC-36) and (PL-AC-37).
4.13 Appeal Process
4.13.1 If the Academic Member does not agree with the result of evaluation, he/she may appeal to the Vice-President, Academics for a re-evaluation of his/her Academic Appraisal Portfolio. The appeal process must comply with the criteria given in the relevant Academic Appraisal Procedure (PR-AC-09).
5.0 Procedures
5.1 The Vice-President, Academics will ensure that procedures are developed for the execution of this policy and are implemented accordingly.
6.0 Related Documents
6.1 PL-AC-02: Academic Credentials Policy.
6.2 PL-AC-03: Academic Qualifications Policy.
6.3 PL-AC-04: Academic Promotion Policy.
6.4 PL-AC-11: Academic Professional Development Policy.
6.5 PR-AC-09: Academic Appraisal Procedure.