JEDDAH: The secretary-general of Saudi Arabia’s academic assessment body warned universities lacking appropriate quality certification could lose their license and government funding in the future, local newspapers reported on Monday.

Abdullah Al-Musallam of the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) confirmed three universities had already applied to receive the quality certification.

They are the King Saud University in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah and Taibah University in Madinah. Al-Musallam said quality standards are determined according to each university’s objectives.

For instance, if expanding areas of study is not part of the university’s goals, then it doesn’t affect its eligibility for receiving the certification.

NCAAA’s handbook for quality assurance and accreditation in Saudi Arabia states existing institutions are expected to introduce quality assurance systems as soon as possible. This should be done during a transition period lasting several years.

Universities are assessed for accreditation progressively during that period. New institutions are expected to develop plans for their quality assurance systems before they receive their license to operate.

The handbook also mentions obtaining international accreditation, although taken into account, will not replace regular NCAAA reviews. Al-Musallam said the NCAAA is not only concerned with quality certifications.

“Universities must ensure consistency in maintaining and developing high standards of student learning outcomes and quality of education.”

There are more than 20 universities and 300 colleges in the Kingdom. The Times Higher Education — QS World University Rankings 2009, published in October, rates King Saud University the best in the Arab world, 247th overall. King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals follows closely in 266th place and is the second best Arab university.