The World Bank Report No: ISR15836

Implementation Status & Results , Republic of RY Higher Quality Improvement (P110733)

Operation Name: RY Higher Education Quality Improvement (P110733) Project Stage: Implementation Seq.No: 11 Status: ARCHIVED Archive Date: 04-Nov-2014 Country: Yemen, Republic of Approval FY: 2010

Public Disclosure Authorized Product Line:IBRD/IDA Region: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Implementing Agency(ies): MOHESR PMU Key Dates Board Approval Date 29-Apr-2010 Original Closing Date 31-Aug-2016 Planned Mid Term Review Date 15-Apr-2013 Last Archived ISR Date 10-May-2014 Public Disclosure Copy Effectiveness Date 01-Sep-2010 Revised Closing Date 31-Dec-2017 Actual Mid Term Review Date 23-Mar-2013

Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to create enabling conditions for the enhancement of quality of university programs and graduate employability.

Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project?

Yes No Public Disclosure Authorized Component(s)

Component Name Component Cost Quality Improvement for University Programs 11.30 Quality Assurance 1.30 Institutional Capacity Development 0.70 M&E and Project Management 2.70

Overall Ratings Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Public Disclosure Authorized Overall Risk Rating Substantial

Implementation Status Overview Considering the exceptionally challenging country conditions in the past months, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), the Project Management Unit (PMU), and the implementing entities continue to show strong commitment to the project's objectives and associated activities. Public Disclosure Copy

On September 15, 2014, the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved Additional Financing (US$3 million) to the Original Project. Signing of the legal agreement will be

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arranged as soon as possible.

Due to the security conditions in Yemen, the World Bank Implementation Support Mission scheduled for August will be rescheduled to early December 2014.

In the interim, a virtual review of the project was conducted via video-conferencing in early October 2014 to discuss project progress, key issues and challenges, including issues related to fiduciary management, Additional Financing implementation, and project management.

Overall there has been progress in all components, despite the challenging political and security conditions in Yemen. Most notably, the peer reviews are well-advanced for all quality improvement programs (except - Marine Biology); a third round of students were enrolled in all Quality Improvement Fund (QIF) programs (except for Business Administration in Hodeida University), and the Strategic Plan for the Council for Accreditation and Quality Assurance (CAQAY) was finalized and formally launched.

There have been some delays in each component, particularly the professional development of academic staff, capacity building of ministry staff, and the adoption of the new fiduciary manuals in due to delays in Ministry of Finance's (MOF) approval. Public Disclosure Copy

Locations Country First Administrative Division Location Planned Actual Yemen Not Entered Republic of Yemen

Yemen Muhafazat Ta`izz Ta`izz ✔ ✔

Yemen Amanat Al Asimah Sanaa ✔ ✔

Yemen Muhafazat Ibb Ibb ✔ ✔

Yemen Muhafazat Hadramawt Muhafazat Hadramawt ✔ ✔

Yemen Muhafazat Dhamar Dhamar ✔ ✔

Yemen Omran `Amran ✔ ✔

Yemen Muhafazat al Hudaydah Al Hudaydah ✔ ✔

Yemen Aden Aden ✔ ✔

Results

Project Development Objective Indicators Public Disclosure Copy

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Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target QIF programs adopting mechanisms to ensure Percentage Value 0.00 83.00 65.00 the quality of undergraduate program Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 development and delivery. Comments 10 out of 12 programs are adopting agreed mechanisms as per indicator definition. Two of the programs: Computer Science – Hajja University, and E-learning Program – Hodeidah University are lagging behind

Public Disclosure Copy but taking serious steps to catch up. Currently, this target has been met. QIF programs adopting mechanisms to Percentage Value 0.00 66.00 65.00 enhance graduate employability Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments 8 out of 12 programs fulfill the agreed elements of the definition; while the remaining 4 (Computer Science Program – Hajja University; Computer Networking and Distribution System - Taiz University, Basic Education Program – Sana’a University, and E-learning Program - Hodeidah University) are taking conducive steps towards graduate employability as per the definition. Currently, this target has been met. Public universities with functioning QA Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 75.00 mechanisms Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments A number of steps were taken: 8 quality modules out of 12 were developed (other 4 were not funded by HEQIP), 8 quality weeks were delivered and 5 training workshops on

Public Disclosure Copy the development of university QA strategic plan have been

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conducted, and the QA standards (Level 1 and 2) finalized; 80 assessors trained. Direct project beneficiaries Number Value 0.00 4630.00 9839.00 Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments 1) Students enrolled:1,875 2) university academic staff trained:2,633 3) CAQAY members trained:24 4) Taiz university fiduciary Public Disclosure Copy staff trained:63 5)Institutional Capacity of the MOHESR/PDS: 35 Female beneficiaries Percentage Value 0.00 16.00 15.00 Sub Type Supplemental

Intermediate Results Indicators Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target QIF procedures manual developed Yes/No Value No Yes Yes Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments The QIF procedures manuals were revised and cleared on May 29,2014. The new monthly template adopted by QITs as of September 2014. PIRC established Yes/No Value No Yes Yes Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments The Project Identification and Review Committee (PIRC) taking an active role in monitoring and guiding project implementation. QIF proposals approved by MOHESR Yes/No Value No Yes Yes Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Public Disclosure Copy

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QIF Programs with timely achievement of Percentage Value 0.00 66.00 65.00 annual Performance Agreement targets Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments 8 out of 12 programs have shown consistent commitment to PA, while 4 would require more intensive follow-up from PMU. QIF Programs establishing a formal Number Value 0.00 9.00 8.00 arrangement for professional development with Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 regional and/or international universities Comments Nine MOUs were signed towards providing Public Disclosure Copy professional development , training , visiting professors and peer reviews. Quality Assurance Council (CAQAY) Yes/No Value No Yes Yes established Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Now that CAQAY is established, it is coordinating QA activities through: monthly media events; QA brochure to universities; tracking system for QA activities - TA launched; and web-site is being developed. Quality assurance strategic plan developed Yes/No Value No Yes Yes and finalized by CAQAY Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Strategic plan for CAQAY finalized and formally launched. Standards and procedural manual for Yes/No Value No Yes Yes implementing internal QA reviews prepared by Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 CAQAY Comments (i) The Quality Assurance Standards and Manual for Level 1 and 2 finalized; (ii) 80 assessors trained to apply Level 1 standards; (iii) Level 1 standards and manual are applied in faculties of medicine. Public Disclosure Copy

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Trained peer reviewers conduct regular on-site Yes/No Value No No Yes visits as part of internal review process Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 verification Comments Developed training materials; processed selection of reviewers; and conducted 2 rounds of training: first round (55 reviewers) and round (57 reviewers) Quality Week Training Modules to develop Number Value 0.00 8.00 12.00 project universities’ capacity in quality Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 assurance concepts and practices developed Comments Modules include: 1)Quality

Public Disclosure Copy and delivered by CAQAY Assurance in Higher Education. 2)Developing Quality Assurance Strategic Plan for HEIS. 3)Conducting Internal Review (Self-Assessment). 4)Developing Academic Programs Specifications. 5)Developing Programs Learning Outcomes. 6)Developing Course Syllabi. 7)Effective Teaching Methods. 8)Teaching Large Classes Higher education KPIs formally endorsed by Yes/No Value No Yes Yes MOHESR Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Higher education statistical yearbook produced Yes/No Value No No Yes by MOHESR Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Contract signing delayed, pending the finalization of the technical proposal - by late October 2014. Satisfactory results of fiduciary capacity Yes/No Value No No Yes assessment of Taiz University Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Manual for the new procedures in the areas of Public Disclosure Copy financial management, procurement, and internal

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audit approved by PSC and pending MOF approval. Manual piloting of the new procedures - delayed. Quarterly progress reports produced on time Yes/No Value No Yes Yes Date 21-Sep-2010 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Annually audited financial statements Yes/No Value No Yes Yes submitted on time Date 07-Oct-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Public Disclosure Copy Data on Financial Performance (as of 16-Sep-2014)

Financial Agreement(s) Key Dates Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Original Closing Date Revised Closing Date P110733 IDA-H5580 Effective 29-Apr-2010 28-Jun-2010 01-Sep-2010 31-Aug-2016 31-Dec-2017 P110733 IDA-H9860 Not Effective 15-Sep-2014 31-Dec-2017 31-Dec-2017

Disbursements (in Millions) Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P110733 IDA-H5580 Effective XDR 8.50 8.50 0.00 3.83 4.67 45.00 P110733 IDA-H9860 Not Effective XDR 2.00 2.00 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00

Disbursement Graph Public Disclosure Copy

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Key Decisions Regarding Implementation The World Bank Team will continue to intensify its implementation support, including regular audio meetings with the PMU, and will closely monitor the progress on agreed action items and on the project's annual plan.

An implementation support mission is planned for early December 2014.

Restructuring History Level 2 CD Decision on 29-Jul-2013

Related Projects P150129-RY Higher Education Quality Improvement Project - Additional Financing Public Disclosure Copy

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