With the participation of more than 35 external examiners, Arab Open University Processes and Approves the grades of the Summer Semester for all its branches
On Thursday, 14 September 2023, Arab Open University, Kingdom of Bahrain, finalized the grades processing of the Summer Semester for all its branches, a process that lasted for 4 days. Students’ grades were approved in the presence of representatives of Open Arab University from all its branches and representatives of the University's strategic partner in the United Kingdom, The Open University, along with more than 35 external examiners.
On this occasion, Prof. Nayef Al Mutairi, Vice-President of the University for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research in the Arab World, expressed his great pleasure for the successful grades processing for the Summer Semester for all branches of the University. He emphasized that since it was launched in 2001, the University has started its strategic partnership with the Open University in Britain. Since then, the University has been receiving all its educational curricula from Britain. This enables the students to obtain two certificates accredited by the Kingdom's local accreditations as well as an international one, the matter which enables them to pursue their postgraduate studies in any university around the world.
Prof. Nayef Al Mutairi also stressed that from the beginning to the present day, the University’s main concern has always been the students’ academic progress; catering for their individual differences throughout all courses of study. The University monitors its own exams, and processes the grades during the end of each semester by a competent team that approves the grades through a rigorous correction process conducted with high levels of impartiality and credibility.
Prof. Nayef Al Mutairi asserted that the marking procedures were conducted centrally based on the concealment of students' names, after which final grades were processed, published and announced in all nine branches of the University, following a series of shared procedures. He also added that the Examination Panel approved students’ grades for the Summer Semester, after reviewing the reports of the examination committees, examining the forms of student answer papers, reviewing the grades, and ensuring the quality of marking procedures that were standardized among all branches.
He also stated that the University was constantly developing students’ learning skills by providing them with an open education system that combines traditional and blended education with a reliable education system that won the trust of the Higher Education Council in the Kingdom of Bahrain and became its partner in academic quality.
Dr. Gharmallah bin Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, President of AOU Bahrain, explained that grades processing is a valid approach adopted by the University to approve and publish students grades in all branches at the same time. At the beginning, samples (of high, average and low scripts) of students' work are examined in order to ensure that scripts are marked fairly.
Dr. Al-Ghamdi also asserted that 30% of the samples are selected to be approved by external examiners. He also explained that the marking procedures went smoothly, granting students the right to appeal, when requested, in order for the scripts to be re-examined and thoroughly re-marked by a specialized academic team.