1.Statement
This policy is to:
1.1. provide guidance to implement a balanced distribution of staff activities in accordance with their academic rank, clinical duties and administrative post that enhances attainment of the College mission.
1.2. document the College commitment to provide staff with opportunities to further their professional capacity, and to reward their meritorious performance according to fair published evaluation criteria.
2.Definitions
Staff academic activities: are the specified actions for academic staff in the areas of teaching, research, and clinical, administrative and community services.
Staff development: is the perpetual planned actions provided by the College and/or Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) units that lead to staff professional growth, career advancement and enhancement in providing service to the College, University and community.
3.Principles
The following main principles should guide the implementation of this Policy:
3.1. The success of implementing this Policy is the responsibility of all involved.
3.2. Staff has the right to develop their career goals while employed by the College.
3.3. Achieving College mission is a responsibility of all staff.
3.4. College development activities should adapt to staff needs and consider their rank and administrative responsibilities.
3.5. Staff should proactively undertake development opportunities offered by the College and SQU units.
3.6. College should receive regular feedback from staff on the “activity and development process”.
4.Policy Objectives
This Policy is an opportunity for the College to:
4.1 ensure that staff is provided with:
- protected time for assigned academic activities;
- support to develop their personal career;
- comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum, its delivery and evaluation;
- comprehensive knowledge of the College Assessment Policy;
- SQU staff performance appraisal system;
- SQU Academic Promotion Regulations;
- SQU and other organizations meritorious performance rewards/honors.
- opportunities to enhance staff productivity.
4.2 increase its efficiency and effectiveness in attaining its mission.
4.3 promote an academically conducive working environment.
5.Means of Applying the Policy
5.1. Newly appointed staff shall be provided by their head of department, assistant deans, director of administration (as appropriate) with all relevant information regarding SQU units’ roles, SQU executive regulations, academic promotion, meritorious performance awards and other standard procedures.
5.2. Newly appointed College staff shall be provided by their heads of departments with comprehensive information of the curriculum, its delivery and the College Assessment Policy.
5.3. College staff shall be informed (by heads of departments) of training and capacity upgrading opportunities offered by COMHS, SQUH and SQU units.
5.4. College staff shall be informed (by heads of departments) of the basis on which their academic activities are assigned and how their performance will be monitored and appraised.
5.5. College staff shall be informed (by heads of departments and/or the Assistant Dean for postgraduate Studies and Research) of research funding opportunities.
5.6. Assistant Deans and College Director of Administration, as appropriate, shall maintain a record of how staff are utilizing development opportunities offered by College or SQU units.
5.7. Staff performance appraisal shall measure the impact of staff performance on their career development and College mission.
5.8. College staff may provide College Administration with their development needs to include in college development plan.
5.9. The College Board shall review the results of applying this policy every three years.
6.Factors to Consider on How to Balance Distribution of Academic
Activities
6.1 The number of departmental staff relative to departmental responsibilities is the factor to guide distribution of academic activities, particularly teaching, among staff within a department.
6.2 According to SQU regulations, heads of department, assistant deans, Head of Quality Assurance & Academic Accreditation Unit and clinicians with academic post should have no more than 0.5 Full Time Equivalent load of teaching.
6.3 Generally, full professors should have more time devoted to mentoring and administrative work than assistant and associate professors should.
6.4 Generally, assistant and associate professors should have a relatively more time devoted to their research and career development activities; however, should be more involved in teaching activities.
7.Rewarding Staff Meritorious Performance
7.1 Staff academic promotion
The College should encourage its assistant and associate professors who have a sustained record of quality achievements in academic activities to apply to the higher academic rank in accordance with SQU Academic Promotion Regulations.
7.2 Other SQU rewards
The College should encourage and support its staff to apply for the University annual prizes for meritorious performance such as:
7.2.1 The SQU annual “Best Achiever Award” in teaching, research, clinical service and community service.
7.2.2 The University “Research Award” for most active research group”
7.2.3 The University “Publication and Patents Award” for best research.
7.2.4 The university “Best Academic Advisor Award”.
7.3. Other national, regional and international awards.
8. Links
- Academic Promotion Regulations:
https://aps.squ.edu.om/docs/regulations.pdf
- Application form for conference attendance:
https://ecas.squ.edu.om/ecas/default.aspx
- Guidelines for researchers:
https://www.squ.edu.om/research/For-Researchers/Guidelines
- Research Groups Award:
https://www.squ.edu.om/research/Research-Groups/Research-Groups-Award
- Best Teacher and Best Advisor Awards:
https://www.squ.edu.om/science/About/Administration-Team/Assistant-Dean-for-
Undergraduate-studies/Academic/ArticleID/1332/Processing-the-applications-of-
the-applicants-for-best-teacher-and-best-advisor-awards
- Staff Induction Policy
Last updated 18 January 2023