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This synthesis study addresses outstanding issues and trends concerning quality in higher education institutions at the regional level. It is based on case studies from eleven higher education institutions in Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco and on the ten standards used in these studies.

The study shows that "the mission of the university" has a marginal position in most institutions; that government institutions are similar in their lack of financial and administrative independence; that there is a lack of independence in some academic respects such as the selection of students, faculty and programs in a number of countries; and that governance is lacking accountability, transparency and partnerships. Indeed, there are governance problems in private universities. Institutional research is not evidently known while all universities have some relevant plans even though these plans have not been implemented in a number of cases.

The universities that are under study are generally unilaterally funded, their resources are scarce and the cost per student is low, however; private universities that were subject to this study in Lebanon and Morocco have sufficient resources. The most satisfactory element of the institution is the buildings and annexes thereto.

However, at times, there are problems in terms of student overpopulation, poor level of services, scattered buildings, lack of maintenance and inadequate equipment, laboratories and libraries. There is a duality in student admission between Humanities and the Physical and Applied Sciences disciplines in favor of the latter which causes lower conditions in the education and assessment of the Humanities discipline.

There is not enough information about the scientific productivity of faculty members, which reflects the marginality of scientific activity. The number of faculty staff is sufficient but there are serious problems regarding their promotion, performance assessment and professional development. Data on students are scarce in terms of students’ selection, influx, graduation and diversity; and support and guidance opportunities remain scarce.

Quality assurance in Egypt is a governmental responsibility and there is no such thing in Morocco and Lebanon instead there are some initiatives and attempts. Some private universities in Morocco and Lebanon are engaged in obtaining quality assurance from international bodies.