Ajin Saadi Discusses OIEP and AUK’s Accreditation Journey
Ajin Saadi is the Director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning (OIEP) at the American University of Kurdistan (AUK). Ethnically Kurdish but born in Switzerland and educated in the United Kingdom, she is an embodiment of the internationalism on the AUK campus.
Ajin Saadi recently consented to an interview, mainly to speak about ongoing efforts to secure accreditation for the University from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The text of the interview appears below.
Q: The title “Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning” is not self-evident. In just a few sentences, what does your office do?
A: “The Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning [OIEP] at the American University is responsible for various institutional activities related to planning, assessment, accreditation, and institutional research. The primary role of OIEP is to ensure that the University’s goals, policies, and procedures are aligned with its mission and strategic plan. The core of this is collecting and analyzing data to improve the University’s performance and formulate plans for future success.”
Q: As the head of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning, you are one of the leaders of the University, and the University actively promotes female empowerment in society as a whole. How does it feel to be a female leader at a Kurdish university?
A: “Being a female leader at a Kurdish university where female empowerment is promoted is a fulfilling experience. As a female leader, I may still face some obstacles, but I am determined to make a difference and inspire change. As Michelle Obama says: ‘Empowered women empower women. Let’s lift each other up, support each other’s dreams, and break every barrier that comes our way.’”
Q: Time management is an important skill for us all, and it is likely you could give others a pointer or two on managing their time better. You were simultaneously the head of the AUK Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning (OIEP) and an adjunct faculty member in the Department of International Studies this past academic year. How did you find the time to do this?
A: “The best way for me to manage my time has been to set priorities. In other words, identify tasks that are important and require immediate attention. Make a to-do list and prioritize tasks accordingly. Then, it is a matter of allocating time. It is crucial to maintain balance, taking a break between tasks to refresh your mind and body. This will help keep your productivity high. I can do OIEP and teaching because I do not feel like I am ‘working’ when I am in the classroom. I enjoy teaching and answering students’ questions. Therefore, I think that teaching actually helps me to stay productive.”
Q: These days, there is so much emphasis in education in the United States on data-driven decision-making, and your office is one of the main collectors and reporters of data within AUK. What is achievement your office had this past year in collecting or reporting data?
A: “The OIEP collects and analyzes data to support decision-making and planning across the University. This includes conducting surveys, analyzing enrollment trends, tracking student outcomes, and assessing the effectiveness of various programs and initiatives. One of the achievements that I want to highlight is the census report. Data for the report is collected at the beginning of each fall and spring semester and then reported during the fourth week of the same semester. Various units across the campus use the report for informed decision-making.”
Q: You are one of the key players in AUK’s accreditation drive. The University is now working on its “Self-Study” for NECHE. How would you describe this “Self-Study” to an outside audience, and where does AUK’s accreditation progress now stand?
A: “The Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning oversees the University’s accreditation activities, ensuring that the institution meets the standards set by NECHE. The Self-Study is, in essence, an AUK status report in narrative form. It involves a thorough analysis of the University’s strengths and areas for growth. This helps the University identify ways in which it needs to improve, enhancing its educational programs and services. The Self-Study involves an articulation of the University’s improvement plan to NECHE. Significantly, NECHE has determined that the American University of Kurdistan is eligible to proceed with an application for accreditation candidacy within two years. AUK’s accreditation team [of which I am a member] is hard at work on the drafting of the Self-Study.”
Q: Another component of the accreditation drive will be the visit by peer reviewers on behalf of NECHE. What is your office currently doing to prepare for their visit?
A: “The Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning leads the process of assessing the institution’s compliance with accreditation standards and gathering evidence to demonstrate that compliance. During that process, we compile and organize the documentation required by NECHE, such as the Self-Study, evidence files, and other supporting materials. We are collating all this information for presentation during the upcoming NECHE visits. In fall 2023, we will welcome the Chair of the Candidacy Visiting Team. In February of 2024, AUK will be ready to receive the Visiting Team for Candidacy.”
Q: We are speaking in August, at the dawn of the 2023-2024 academic year. Where do you anticipate seeing the University about a year from now, at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 academic year?
A: “This year, we successfully conducted our initial Academic Program Reviews, for the Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering and the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Looking ahead to the 2023-2024 academic year, we aim to expand our efforts by conducting our first non-academic program reviews. They, too, represent an essential component of ensuring institutional effectiveness. Above all, our goal is to be accepted by NECHE for formal candidacy for accreditation.”