Abstract:

In this paper, we propose describe the experience of a young educational institution in its quest to develop its strategic plans, as well as the challenges it faced in the course of this process. We also revisit best practices in strategic planning through the strategy change cycle and describe the experience of Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI), a relatively young Moroccan institution that follows the American educational system. Throughout its brief history, the University has already developed a relative expertise in the area through the development of three and evaluation of two strategic plans, has worked successfully toward international accreditation of its academic units and is in the final step of its accreditation by NEASC, a major accrediting agency in the USA.

In this presentation, we also describe how planning was intricately tied with the improvement of institutional effectiveness. We go through the description of the three plans the University has devised since its inception and show how the quality of follow up or its lack of can impact its performance. We give evidence on how to objectively measure the University performance and sustain its efforts towards international accreditation. We end the presentation by pointing out some lessons learned in devising institutional plans.

Keywords:

Strategic Planning, Institutional Effectiveness.