Benchmarking of academic studies of dietitians at King Abdulaziz University using the European Dietetic Benchmark Statement (EDBS), Dr Elham Aljaaly
Dr Elham Aljaaly
King Abdulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Purpose: To assess the standards and comparability of the King Abdulaziz University (KAU) fi rst cycle dietetics qualifi cation in comparison with European standards.
Design/methods: The KAU curriculum content and methods for delivering the programme was compared with European countries, based on the 2005 European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) Benchmark statement.
Findings: In meeting the EFAD criteria, the KAU Clinical Nutrition(CLN) programme leads to a BSc, delivered in the English language, and gives a qualifi cation as a clinical dietitian. European dietetic programmes should be under the Faculties for Health programmes. Equally, the KAU CLN programme is particularly in the curricula of the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences. KAU delivers a programme over 120 weeks for the theoretical part and senior students practice for 60 days per year, which is within the range for European countries. Similar to European countries, the KAU Awarding Institution requires dietetic senior students to submit a report of their research projects and to conduct a one-year practical placement. The duration of the KAU project is 30 weeks and the range for European countries is (2.3–40 weeks). Graduation is connected with registration in most of European programmes, which is the same for KAU. The programme does not use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) but uses a KAU Credit System, which is 137 credit hours < 342.5 ECTS.
Practical implications: For KAU dietetics students to internationally confirm the use of their qualifications, competencies and skills,
particularly throughout the European Higher Education Area.
Originality/value: The first study to benchmark a Saudi dietetic programme with European Dietetic Benchmark Statement (EDBS).
Keywords: European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians; EFAD; European; Saudi; Clinical Nutrition; CLN; education; competencies; bench marking; 1st cycle degree.
Citation: Aljaaly, E. (2016): Benchmarking of academic studies of dietitians at King Abdulaziz University using the European Dietetic Benchmark Statement (EDBS) . In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): Europe at a Crossroads and the Impact of Globalization, Vol. 14, pp. 329-341.
