The Education & Training Evaluation Commission – National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation (ETEC-NCAAA) is recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) as an accreditation body for medical programs.
Riyadh:
The Education & Training Evaluation Commission, represented by the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation (ETEC-NCAAA), has been awarded full recognition status by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for ten years (until 2032). This recognition is awarded after passing a comprehensive evaluation of the academic accreditation processes for medical programs, including accreditation standards, policies and procedures in place, the formation of review panel teams, and the mechanisms of decision-making.
The importance of obtaining such recognition comes from the fact that it improves learning opportunities, labor mobility and employment for graduates of the national academic programs accredited by the NCAAA in the field of human medicine internationally. It also enhances the ETEC-NCAAA's international presence as a national body that accredits Medical programs inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This recognition will also contribute to improving and strengthening the Commission's relationship with international quality assurance bodies and networks and localizing best international practices in the field of accrediting medical programs.
The Education & Training Evaluation Commission was keen to obtain this recognition as the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation (NCAAA) is responsible for the quality of higher education programs and institutions in the Kingdom, including medical programs. In addition, it enhances the confidence of the local and international community in the outcomes of the Saudi education system, in light of the generous support and care received from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - may Allah protect them. It also assists in a way to achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program and increases the opportunities of Saudi youth to join the labor market and access the best educational opportunities.
The ETEC also continues to improve and develop its performance to reach the highest levels of local, regional and international confidence owing to the support that education received.
The procedures for obtaining recognition included applying to the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and with a comprehensive report on the performance of the Commission and its compliance with the recognition standards from the WFME. All reports and attachments were subjected to scrutiny, followed by an onsite visit by the WFME team to the NCAAA. WFME team also monitored one of the Review Visits conducted by the NCAAA to one of the medical colleges and attended meetings in which the NCAAA takes an accreditation decision with an inspection tour. A draft of the review report explaining and evaluating the performance of the NCAAA based on the recognition criteria was prepared then the final decision was issued from the organization that recognizes the NCAAA.
World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), founded on the 30 September 1972 in Copenhagen is a non-governmental organization concerned with education and training of medical doctors worldwide. WFME's main objective is to "enhance the quality of medical education worldwide, with promotion of the highest scientific and ethical standards in medical education". The organization develops standards for medical education and promotes accreditation of medical schools. It also co-manages the World Directory of Medical Schools. WFME works in partnership with its six Regional Associations for Medical Education and other international organization including the World Health Organization and the World Medical Association, with WFME's associate members, and with medical schools worldwide.
The NCAAA is also one of the centers affiliated to the Education & Training Evaluation Commission. It contributes to enhancing quality and excellence in higher education institutions and programs through academic evaluation and accreditation processes. The accreditation processes and procedures are meant to be effective and easy to implement. One of the strategic initiatives that fall under the responsibility of the NCAAA in ETEC's plan includes improving and simplifying the accreditation process.