RANA HARB

Professional quality assurance and accreditation specialist with over ten years of experience in higher education. Dedicated to leading, supporting, and guiding the institution in fostering high standards and best practices in line with the institutional policies and procedures, institutional mission, and strategic plan. Managed and participated in numerous external review visits by relevant accrediting agencies, both national and regional, to ensure successful and seamless communication and visits.

• Institutional Accreditation – SACSCOC (AUE)
  Actively contributed to the pursuit of institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) at the American University in the Emirates (AUE). Responsibilities included aligning institutional policies and procedures with international accreditation standards and best practices, drafting comprehensive narrative reports, compiling and verifying supporting evidence, and coordinating efforts across accountable units to ensure full compliance with accreditation requirements.

• International Accreditation Consultant – WASC
  Served as an accreditation consultant to a UAE federal institution in Abu Dhabi in its pursuit of eligibility for accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Provided expert guidance on aligning institutional operations with WASC standards, revising and developing policies and procedures, cultivating a culture of evidence, and delivering training on accreditation expectations. Additionally, authored the Expression of Interest (EOI) and drafted narrative content to demonstrate initial compliance with WASC’s eligibility criteria.

• Programmatic Accreditation – AACSB, ABET, NASAD, ACEJMC (AUE)
  Supported academic departments at AUE in obtaining international program accreditations including AACSB, ABET, NASAD, and ACEJMC. Served as an active member of internal accreditation task forces, providing quality assurance and institutional effectiveness support. Contributed to the development and review of self-study reports, evidence documentation, data analysis, and participated in external review visits as the institution’s accreditation and compliance representative.

• National Accreditation – CAA (UAE)
  Involved and attended numerous external review team visits by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), supporting both institutional licensure and program-level accreditations. My role includes preparing documentation, coordinating with academic units, and ensuring alignment with CAA standards. In parallel, I have played a key role in the establishment of new academic programs. In the first half of 2024, I supported the development of over 10 new program self-studies, including doctoral programs for initial accreditation, ensuring full alignment with CAA requirements and facilitating timely approvals.

• Outcome-Based Evaluation Framework (OBF) – MoHESR
  Led the alignment of institutional policies and processes at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) with the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s Outcome-Based Evaluation Framework (OBF). Initiated performance-enhancement strategies for underperforming KPIs, embedded OBF principles into the annual planning process, established workflows for monitoring corrective actions, and provided academic and administrative units with proactive and preventive support to ensure target achievement.