Profile

Board of Governors of the University

The Board of Governors of the German University of Technology in Oman is entrusted by the Board of Directors of Oman Educational Services LLC with the responsibility of governing the University and formulating the internal regulations for operating and managing the affairs of the University.

The Board of Governors comprises of:

• The Rector of RWTH Aachen University (Chair);
• Two additional representatives of RWTH Aachen University;
• Three representatives of the shareholders of Oman Educational Services LLC;
• The Rector of GUtech (non-voting member);
• The Deputy Rectors of GUtech (non-voting members).
• Five representatives of third-party stakeholders, of which:
  * One member from the German Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman (non-voting member);
  * One representative of the Ministry of Higher Education of the Sultanate of Oman;
  * One representative of a third-party stakeholder nominated by RWTH Aachen University
  (e.g. a representative of the German Academic Exchange Service – DAAD),
  * Two representatives of Omani academia who are specialists in the relevant disciplines;

The Board of Governors responsibilities are to:

• Convene its ordinary meetings at least twice a year;
• Ensure that the Vision, Mission, Values, Objectives and Strategies are reflected in the detailed planning and institutional activities of the University;
• Pass resolutions required to achieve the University`s academic, administrative and financial objectives;
• Recommend to the Board of Directors of Oman Educational Services the appointment and dismissal of the Rector of GUtech, based on recommendations made by the Rectorate of RWTH Aachen;
• Appoint and dismiss the Deputy-Rectors of GUtech, based on recommendations made by the Rectorate of RWTH Aachen;
• Establish a framework for accountability and performance evaluation of the Rector, the Deputy-Rectors and GUtech in general;
• Appraise the performance of the Rector and the Deputy-Rectors;
• Suggest the approval of the annual budget of GUtech to the Board of Directors of Oman Educational Services LLC;
• Delegate to the Rector and Deputy Rectors the authority required to carry out their responsibility with the aim of achieving GUtech’s Vision and Mission;
• Delegate to the Rectorate the authority to approve policies and regulations, as considered necessary;
• Monitor and accept responsibility for the total operations of GUtech in accordance with this Constitution, but avoid interference in management decisions or with the judgment of internal academic bodies.

The detailed modus operandi of the Board of Governors of German University of Technology in Oman is described in its Terms of Reference.

The Rectorate of GUtech comprises of the Rector (Chair) and the Deputy Rectors, and is chaired by the Rector. Each member of the Rectorate has one equal vote. In case of equality of votes, the vote of the Rector decides.

The Rectorate discusses all questions related to the academic, administrative and financial development of GUtech and prepares the relevant decisions for the Rector and the Board of Governors. The Rectorate formulates the guidelines for the allocation of the University budget to the Faculties and the administrative departments. The Rectorate is entitled to define regulations implementing further quality assurance, aimed at recruiting excellence in terms of teaching and research.

The Deputy Rector for Administration and Finances has a veto right in all financial and administrative matters. In case of dispute, the Board of Governors decides.

The Rectorate may establish and abolish Committees within the University as considered necessary for the preparation of decisions and for an effective exchange of information.

The detailed framework for the modus operandi of the Rectorate is described in its Terms of Reference.

The Academic Board comprises of the Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs (Chair), the Deans, the Heads of Academic Departments, the Associate Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs, the Head of Registry and Student Admissions, the Head of Quality Assurance and Planning Department and the President of the Student Advisory Council.

The Academic Board reports to and advises the Rectorate on all academic matters, including academic priorities and policies of the University, academic aspects of the University’s strategic plan, policies concerning the conditions of appointment and employment of academic staff, the maintenance of academic standards and any academic matters it considers to be of strategic importance. Specifically, the Academic Board is entrusted by the Rectorate with the authority to:

• Approve policies related to academic matters, in particular those with a focus on education;
• Approve the University’s Teaching and Learning Plan, ensure that it is up-to-date and includes University-wide teaching and learning targets.
• Monitor the implementation of the University’s Teaching and Learning Plan and report achievements against targets to the Rectorate at least once per semester.
• Approve major changes in approved Programme of Study;
• Approve introduction of new programmes;
• Review the implementation of policies related to academic matters;
• Confirm that students have completed the requirements necessary to be awarded academic degrees and certificates;
• Determine the terms and conditions of awards and prizes.

The detailed modus operandi of the Academic Board is described in its Terms of Reference.

The Research, Consultancy and Innovation Board consists of the Deputy Rector for Research and Innovation (Chair), the Director of Research, faculty members, appointed by the Rectorate and representing each one academic department; the Director of the Training and Smart Solutions Centre (TSSC); the Head of the Quality Assurance and Planning Department; and a student representative, appointed by the Student Advisory Board. In the absence of the Deputy Rector for research and Innovation, the Board is chaired by the Director of Research.

The Research Board advises the Rectorate on all matters related to research, consultancy and innovation activities, as well as the further development of related infrastructure. Ultimately, the Research, Consultancy and Innovation Board aims at sustaining the quality and quantity of research activities throughout the University while strengthening its links with the industry and community.

Specifically, the Research, Consultancy and Innovation Board is entrusted by the Rectorate with the authority to:

• Advise the Rectorate on research, consultancy and innovation related matters.
• Approve the University’s Research and Consultancy Plan, ensure that it is up-to-date and includes University-wide research and consultancy targets.
• Monitor the implementation of the University’s Research and Consultancy Plan and report achievements against targets to the Rectorate at least once per semester.
• Develop and maintain a policy framework that supports and encourages the performance of research and consultancy.
• Facilitate the access to research funding, both internal and external, according to the University’s research priorities.
• Ensure that research approval processes are ethical, fair and transparent.
• Develop a framework that supports professional development for research (e.g., through training, access to conferences and in-house research seminars, among others).
• Support newly appointed faculty in initiating their research, consultancy and innovation activities.
• Encourage and implement competitive and collaborative research and consultancy activities between researchers across all academic departments in GUtech.

The detailed modus operandi of a Research, Consultancy and Innovation Board is described in its Terms of Reference.

The Faculty Board consists of the Dean of the Faculty (Chair), all academic staff in the Faculty, one administrative staff and one student of the respective Faculty. The Faculty Board plans, implements and monitors teaching, research and innovation activities within the Faculty.

The Faculty Board monitors that the University’s programmes of study are optimally adjusted to the regional context, thereby ensuring that the learning needs of GUtech’s students are met, that an appreciation of Oman’s rich natural, cultural and socio-economic environment is embedded in all programmes of study and that graduate skills and attributes are continuously re-aligned with Oman’s vision for the future. In addition, the Faculty Board is responsible for the protection of academic freedom and good academic practice within the Faculty.

The Faculty Board advises the Rectorate in matters of long-term planning, preparation of the annual budget, and personnel development with regard to the Faculty members. This includes criteria for extending and terminating appointments, and recommendations for promotion. This advisory process requires the mutual exchange of relevant information between the respective Faculty and the Rectorate during development processes and the timely submission of a recommendation by the Faculty to the Rectorate.

The detailed modus operandi of a Faculty Board is described in its Terms of Reference.

TThe Department Board consists of the Head of the Department (Chair), all academic staff, one administrative staff and one student of the respective Department. The Department Board represents the Department within the Faculty it belongs to. It plans, implements and monitors teaching, research and innovation activities within the Department.

The Department Board is responsible for the protection of academic freedom and for ensuring good academic practice within the Department.

The Department Board advises the Faculty Board in matters of long-term planning and preparation of the annual budget and personnel development with regard to the Department needs. This advisory process requires the mutual exchange of relevant information between the Department and Faculty during development processes and the timely submission of a recommendation by the Department to the Faculty. The Department Board is also responsible for the establishment of a Board of Examiners in accordance with the University’s Academic Regulations.

The Department Board may establish and abolish Committees within the Department as considered necessary for the preparation of decisions and for effective exchange of information.

The detailed framework for the modus operandi of a Departmental Board is described in its Terms of Reference.

The Student Council is elected by the students of the University and is structured according to the “Manual for the Organization of Student Advisory Councils at Higher Education Institutions” issued by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE). It consists of:

• One President, who is an Omani national and meets the requirements outlined in the MoHE Manual
• One Vice-President, who is an Omani national and meets the requirements outlined in the MoHE Manual;
• Twelve additional Student Advisory Council Members, who meet the requirements outlined in the MoHE Manual.

According to the Manual issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, the Student Advisory Council is subdivided into:

• The academic affairs subcommittee;
• The student affairs committee; and
• The events and initiatives committee.

The detailed modus operandi of the Student Advisory Council is described in the Manual issued by the Ministry of Higher Education.

If the number of staff and/or students is not large enough to establish all Faculty and Departmental Boards mentioned above, the Rectorate shall take measures to ensure the proper representation of the different groups in the decision-making process of GUtech.

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Rector

The Rector of GUtech represents the University internally and externally. The Rector is the Managing Director of the University and is responsible for:

• Managing the resources of GUtech with the aim of achieving the Vision and Mission of the University, while upholding its Values, as defined by the Board of Governors;
• Providing effective administrative and academic leadership in compliance with RWTH Aachen standards and requirements;
• Ensuring that all activities within the university are carried out in accordance to the regulatory framework of the University, including policies, regulations, and this Constitution;
• Ensuring that relevant policies and regulations are developed and submitted for approval to the corresponding Board or Committee;
• Setting up and managing quality assurance processes within the University;
• Evaluating the achievements of the University;
• Forming committees for the selection of professors, of which at least one member is appointed by RWTH Aachen. The RWTH Aachen representative has a right to veto the appointment of any proposed candidate for the position of full professor or associate professor. The Rector of GUtech also has the right to veto the appointment of any proposed candidate for the position of full professor or associate professor.

The Rector of GUtech also has the authority to delegate administrative and academic responsibilities within an appropriate reporting and accountability framework. The Rector of GUtech reports to the Board of Governors.

The details of the Rector’s roles and responsibilities are described in the respective Job Description.

RWTH Aachen recommends candidates for the position of the Rector of GUtech to the Board of Governors.

Deputy Rector for Administration and Finances

The Deputy Rector for Administration and Finances is responsible for:

• Managing all financial matters of GUtech;
• Managing all administrative departments of GUtech, with the exception of the Registry and Student Admissions Department;
• Acting on behalf of the Rector in his/her absence;
• Developing, promoting and monitoring a culture of efficient, result- and customer-oriented corporate services; and
• Deciding on administrative staffing and personnel developments within the administration.

The details of the Deputy Rector’s roles and responsibilities are described in the respective Job Description.

RWTH Aachen recommends candidates for the position of Deputy Rector for Administration and Finances to the Board of Governors. The Deputy Rector for Administration and Finances is appointed by and reports to the Board of Governors.

Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs

The Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs is responsible for:

• Coordinating the academic staffing for the programmes offered, based on the recommendations made by the Recruitment Committees chaired by the relevant Deans;
• Developing, promoting and monitoring a culture of efficient teaching and learning;
• Ensuring quality assurance of teaching and learning;
• Developing regulations and policies relevant to teaching and learning matters, in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University and in accordance with the laws and regulatory framework of the Sultanate of Oman;
• Contributing to the formulation of budgets required to achieve the academic goals of the University.

The details of the Deputy Rector’s roles and responsibilities are described in the respective Job Description.

RWTH Aachen recommends candidates for the position of Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs to the Board of Governors. The Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs is appointed by the Board of Governors.

Deputy Rector for Research and Innovation

The Deputy Rector for Research and Innovation is responsible for:

• Developing, promoting and monitoring an environment that is conducive to excellent research and innovation within GUtech;
• Ensuring quality assurance of research and innovation;
• Developing regulations and policies relevant to research and innovation, in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University and in accordance with the laws and regulatory framework of the Sultanate of Oman; and
• Contributing to the formulation of budgets required to achieve the research and innovation goals of the University.

The details of the Deputy Rector’s roles and responsibilities are described in the respective Job Description.

RWTH Aachen recommends candidates for the position of Deputy Rector for Research and Innovation to the Board of Governors. The Deputy Rector for Research an Innovation is appointed by and reports to the Board of Governors.

Deans

Each Faculty is headed by a Dean, who is elected by the academic and administrative staff of the respective Faculty for a period of two years. The Dean is the representative of the Faculty to the Rectorate. He/she is not a line manager to the members of the Faculty. The Dean of each Faculty is responsible for leading, managing and developing the Faculty in line with the Strategic Plan of the University. The roles and responsibilities of the Dean are to:

• Create and maintain a working environment where staff like to work and can excel in teaching, research and consultancy.
• Contribute in the development of relevant plans for the Faculty and ensure that they are aligned with the Strategic Plan of the University;
• Provide leadership in promoting the values of the University, especially multicultural awareness, academic freedom and ethical practices; • Promote the Faculty to the general public;
• Chair the Rectorate-appointed promotions committees for applications for promotion to Associate and Full-Professors.
• Be the point of contact for student concerns that could not be addressed within the department.

The details of the Dean’s roles and responsibilities are described in the respective Job Description.

Head of Academic Departments

Each academic department is headed by a Head of Department, who is elected by the academic and administrative staff of the Department and appointed by the Rectorate for a period of two years.

The Head of Department reports to the Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs, and is responsible for:

• Creating and maintaining a working environment where departmental staff like to work and can excel in teaching, research and consultancy;
• Providing leadership in promoting the values of the University, especially multicultural awareness, academic freedom and ethical practices;
• Contributing in the development of relevant plans for the Department and ensuring that they are aligned with the Strategic Plan of the University;
• Providing continuous support for the creation and implementation of effective quality assurance processes within the Department;
• Providing leadership in ensuring that the University’s policies are adhered to within the Department, in particular those relating to Health, Safety, and Environment;
• Ensuring that the educational needs of the students within the Department are met;
• Ensuring that the research needs of staff and students within the Department are met; • Working with the Rectorate (especially the Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs) to ensure adequate staffing of the Department in accordance with University policies;
• Working with the University’s academic and administrative departments on matters related to the delivery of programmes;
• As the owner of the Department’s cost centre, ensuring adherence to the Department’s yearly budget.

The details of the Dean’s roles and responsibilities are described in the respective Job Description.

Head of Administrative Departments

Each administrative department is headed by a Head of Department who is selected and appointed by the Rectorate. He/she is responsible for providing the necessary support to all members of the University in alignment with the University’s strategic plan and as approved by the Rectorate.

Professors and other Academic Staff

The University recognises the following types of academic staff: Laboratory Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Assistant Lecturer, Research Assistant, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Full Professor.

Academic staff are appointed in accordance to the University’s academic recruitment policy. In the case of appointments at Associate or Full Professor level, this includes a recruitment committee established by RWTH Aachen University. Similarly, academic staff are promoted in accordance to the University’s academic promotion policy. In the case of promotions to Associate or Full Professor level, this includes a promotion committee established by RWTH Aachen University.

Once appointed, each academic staff forms part of an Academic Department and reports to the corresponding Head of Department. Each academic staff has the right to vote for and be elected as representative on his/her respective Departmental Board and Faculty Board.

Expectations for academic performance vary according to appointment level and are demonstrated by achieving specific outcomes in the fields of:

• Learning and teaching;
• Research and consultancy;
• Leadership, community services and administration.

In recognition of the varying mixes of teaching, research and administrative duties carried out by different academic staff, individualised objectives are not necessarily set across all the expectations.

Academic freedom in teaching is applicable to all Senior Lecturers, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Full Professors, within the framework of his/her respective academic duties, as outlined by the University’s Vision, Mission, Values, its planning and policy framework, as well as the academic’s staff own job description. Lecturers and Assistant Lecturers must adhere to the course content developed by the persons responsible for the courses they are teaching.

Similarly, academic freedom in research is applicable to all Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Full Professors, within the framework of his/her respective academic duties, as outlined by the University’s Vision, Mission, Values, its planning and policy framework, as well as the academic staff’s own job description. In principle, all Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Full Professors may apply for third-party research funding and, if successful, grow and develop their own project teams. In practice, the performance of research is an expectation mainly for Assistant, Associate and Full Professors.

The positions of Assistant, Associate and Full Professors differ from each other in the level of experience and expertise expected for each position, as well as in the following points:

• Assistant Professors may co-supervise PhD students, in situations where all regulatory requirements (in particular those of the Sultanate’s Ministry of Higher Education) are met. They are eligible to be elected as Head of Department or Dean.
• Associate Professors and Full Professors may supervise PhD students, in situations where all regulatory requirements (in particular those of the Sultanate’s Ministry of Higher Education) are met. Associate Professors and Full Professors are recruited or promoted through a committee established jointly by RWTH Aachen University and GUtech.
• Full professors are also eligible for a call to a Chair, which may include an endowment by the University, or a third party.