Karim Hisham Abou Seada

As the Partners & Accreditation Manager at ECC Knowledge Group, I lead the strategic development, management, and expansion of international partnerships and academic accreditations to support the Group’s ambitious 60% year-on-year student enrollment growth and global market expansion targets.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

- Develop and execute annual partnership and accreditation plans aligned with Knowledge Groups' strategic roadmap.
- Oversee the full lifecycle of international collaborations — including universities, academic institutions, and agents — ensuring alignment with ECC Knowledge Group’s educational and operational standards.
- Manage relationships with global accreditation bodies, ensuring continuous compliance and renewal readiness.
- Coordinate accreditation documentation, audits, and site visits in collaboration with Quality Assurance, Academic Affairs, Registrar, and IT departments.
- Build a centralized compliance dashboard using ERP & LMS tools to track partner performance and accreditation progress.
- Identify and secure new partnership opportunities, including dual degrees, credit transfers, and articulation agreements to enhance ECC Knowledge Group’s global presence.
- Provide executive-level reports and strategic insights to the CEO on partner performance, compliance risks, and expansion opportunities.
- Ensure a ≥95% compliance rate, achieve 100% on-time accreditation renewals, and contribute to 5+ new international partnerships annually.

Core Competencies:
Strategic Partnership Management | International Accreditation | Compliance & Quality Assurance | Cross-functional Leadership | ERP & LMS Systems | Negotiation & Communication | Higher Education Strategy

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Planning
•Assist in implementing and maintaining Quality Management Systems (QMS) in line with industry standards.

Executing
•Conduct internal audits and inspections to ensure compliance with ECC Group’s quality policies.
•Assist in training employees on quality standards, policies, and best practices.

Monitoring
• Monitor key quality indicators and performance metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement.
•Gather and analyze customer feedback to enhance service quality.

Organizing
•Ensure proper documentation of quality procedures, guidelines, and audit reports.
•Support the development and revision of SOPs to align with best practices.

Leading/Controlling
•Identify non-conformities and recommend corrective actions to improve service quality.
•Assist in implementing corrective actions based on customer complaints and audits.

Developing
• Promote a culture of quality awareness throughout the organisation.
•Assist in risk assessments and compliance evaluations.

1. Quality Control & Assurance
-Supervise/conduct quality control activities, including monitoring, reporting, and auditing processes.
-Design/implement quantitative/qualitative assessment tools (surveys, questionnaires, evaluation forms).
-Monitor teaching effectiveness, handle complaints, and ensure compliance with quality standards.
-Ensure proper coding, documentation, and maintenance of University policies, procedures, and forms.
-Review/approve standard forms/templates to maintain consistency and compliance.
-Document/track corrective/preventive actions for issues, ensuring timely resolution and effectiveness monitoring.
2. Accreditation Compliance
-Coordinate preparation/submission of accreditation reports, documentation, and self-studies.
-Lead internal audits/readiness assessments to ensure compliance with accreditation criteria.
3. Data Analysis & Reporting
-Supervise collection/analysis/interpretation of data on teaching effectiveness, student satisfaction, and institutional performance.
-Produce/present reports (professors’ evaluations, and employer feedback).
-Identify trends/gaps and recommend actionable strategies for improvement.
-Develop/implement data-gathering mechanisms/procedures to enhance the accuracy/reliability of quality metrics.
4. Team Leadership & Institutional Development
-Lead/mentor quality assurance professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
-Collaborate with all departments to promote quality assurance initiatives/projects.
-Enhance/standardize quality control tools, processes, and methodologies for efficiency/effectiveness.
-Ensure adherence to University quality standards, policies, and procedures across all campuses.
5. Strategic Initiatives
-Stay updated on industry best practices, trends, and advancements in quality assurance/accreditation.
-Propose/implement innovative strategies to enhance institutional effectiveness/student outcomes.
-Support development/execution of ESLSCA-wide projects/initiatives.

QUALITY CONTROLLING
•Perform quality control functions to accomplish business results, monitoring, and reporting ‎as per the Quality Unit plan.‎
•Select specific topics for review based on improvement requests, complaints, accreditation ‎requirements, no-active policy, and other factors.‎
•Maintain current and accurate records of all relevant communications, audits, corrective ‎action plans, and effectiveness monitoring.‎
•Develop quantitative and qualitative questionnaires.‎
•Visit classes conducted on the different campuses of the University.‎
•Handle complaints while conducting class visits.‎
•Responsible for coding the University’s policies, procedures, and forms.‎
•Ensure approved standard forms/templates are used.‎
•Conduct audit visits as requested by the Quality Manager.‎
•Document corrective and preventive actions for complaints.‎
•Monitor and analyze data to identify trends and make recommendations for improvement.‎
•Prepare reports and presentations on accreditation and quality assurance activities.‎
•Stay updated on industry best practices.‎
•Coordinate with external stakeholders "accreditation bodies".‎
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
•Produce professors/instructors’ evaluation summary reports each semester to monitor ‎teaching effectiveness to be presented to Quality Manager and Program Director.
•Produce exit and employers’ evaluation summary reports and send them to Quality ‎Manager and Program Director.
•Provide audit information, statistical data and recommend appropriate data-gathering ‎mechanisms, procedures, etc.‎
•Produce narrative reports summarizing quality control findings.
‎INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
•Enhance Quality Control tools. ‎
•Adhere to the University’s quality standards, policies, and procedures.‎
•Assist in maintaining the University’s accreditations and comply with their standards.‎
•Participate in assignments related to ESLSCA-wide projects.‎
•Produce required documentation.‎
•Maintain records in accordance with the University’s policies.‎

-Working closely with the Admissions Manager and other key stakeholders to ensure that all departmental admissions staff are consulted and briefed about University processes and procedures.
-To manage a team of admissions officers to assess applications and provide advice to departmental and faculty-based teams.
-To lead, motivate and develop the admission team, providing a clear sense of purpose and understanding in the team.
-Managing workflow and resource allocation within the team.
-To explore the potential to streamline and enhance existing processes, reviewing operational effectiveness and compliance with the policy.
-Working in conjunction with faculty and departmental staff to support the conversion of applicants to registered students.
-To manage the complaints and appeals process for admissions.
-Working closely with the Admissions Manager to ensure that results are verified and applicants are informed of the outcome promptly.
-Reviewing new applications to determine if they can apply.
-Preparing Acceptance Letters.
-Prepare and analyze data for reporting, and run regular reports to ensure applications are assessed within agreed time frames.
-Assess student applications and determine admissions suitability based on set entrance criteria as well as responsibility for managing complex applications.
-Provides professional, courteous, timely, and accurate responses to requests for assistance instilling confidence in the company and, therefore, creating a favorable company image.
-Demonstrates tact and sound judgment in all interactions with customers and a willingness to research customer inquiries, including following up to ensure resolution and satisfaction.
-Possesses good interpersonal skills to understand customers’ inquiries or complaints and deals effectively with people who may be worried.
-Coordinates and communicates effectively with the team to establish a culture of learning and high performance and assists team members when appropriate.

- Evaluates and processes admissions applications by University policies, goals, and rules.
- Advises applicants regarding admissions requirements, eligibility for admission, program options, and
other matters related to their admission to the University.
- Keeps informed regarding academic program requirements, enrollment restrictions, and other issues
related to recruiting and admitting students.
- Conducts informational meetings and programs to explain admission requirements policies and
procedures.
- Assists in maintaining and updating admission records and files and compiles admissions reports as
directed.
- Participates in summer orientation and registration program for newly admitted students.
- Manage large amounts of inbound and outbound calls promptly.
- Provide basic and accurate information in-person and via phone/email.
- Identify customers’ needs, clarify information, research every issue, and provide solutions and/or alternatives Build sustainable relationships and engage customers by taking the extra mile.
- Answering Admissions queries (in person, on the phone, by e-mail).
- Managing applications and student documentation, creating physical files and entering new/updated data on the system.
- Arranging EAT assessments for applicants.
- Retrieving and analyzing EAT scores.