Master’s Degree Awarded to Ms. Ahlam Abdulmalik in Educational Administration and Planning
Ms. Ahlam Abdulmalik Ahmed Al-Akhfash was awarded a Master’s degree with an average of (Excellent) and a grade of 95% for her thesis titled “The Degree to Which the Characteristics of a Learning Organization are Achieved and Their Relationship to Competitive Advantage in Schools for Outstanding Students and Model Private Schools in the Capital Secretariat (Sana’a)“, which was submitted to Faculty of Education – Sana’a University. The defense was held on Sunday, Dhu al-Qa’dah 13, 1446 Hijri, corresponding to May 11, 2025.
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The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following members:
| # | Committee Members | Designation | University | Position |
| 1 | Prof. Nasr Mohammed Al-Hujaili | External Examiner | Thamar University | Chair |
| 2 | Assoc. Prof. Ali Yahya Sharaf Al-Din | Main Supervisor | Sana’a University | Member |
| 3 | Assist. Prof. Abdulkhaleq Mohammed Al-Duais | Internal Examiner | Sana’a University | Member |
The thesis aimed to identify the degree to which learning organization characteristics are achieved and their relationship to competitive advantage in the schools for outstanding students and model private schools in the Capital Secretariat (Sana’a), from the perspective of their employees.
To achieve the study objectives, the descriptive approach, using both survey and correlational methods, was employed. The study population consisted of high school teachers and administrators in the schools for outstanding students and model private schools in the Capital Secretariat (Sana’a), totaling a number of (315) individuals. This entire population was selected as the sample using a comprehensive survey method. A questionnaire was used as the primary tool for data collection.
The thesis reached several key findings, including:
- The degree to which learning organization characteristics, in its dimensions (personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, team learning, systems thinking), are achieved in the schools for outstanding students and model private schools in the Capital Secretariat (Sana’a), was (high).
- The level of competitive advantage achievement, in its dimensions (quality, efficiency, innovation, responsiveness to beneficiaries’ needs), in in the schools for outstanding students and model private schools in the Capital Secretariat (Sana’a), was (high).
- There were no statistically significant differences in the responses of the study sample attributed to the variables of (gender, school type, academic qualification, years of service, number of training courses) in the degree of achievement of learning organization characteristics.
- There were statistically significant differences in the responses of the study sample attributed to the job title variable (administrator, teacher), with the differences favoring administrators in the degree of achievement of learning organization characteristics.
- There were no statistically significant differences in the responses of the study sample attributed to the variables of (gender, school type, job title, academic qualification) in the level of competitive advantage achievement.
- There were statistically significant differences in the responses of the study sample attributed to the variables of: years of service, with differences favoring the (6 to 10 years) category, and the number of training courses, with differences favoring the (6 to 10 courses) category, in the level of competitive advantage achievement.
- There is a statistically significant positive correlation between the degree of realization of learning organization characteristics and each of its dimensions, and the level of competitive advantage achievement.
In her thesis, the researcher concluded with a number of recommendations, including:
- Conducting a series of training courses for school employees to introduce them to learning organizations and ways to transform schools into learning organizations.
- Enhancing the participation of school employees in exercising authority, each according to their responsibilities, and involving them in decision-making processes.
- Schools’ administrations should periodically conduct surveys of beneficiaries to identify their evolving needs resulting from continuous development in all fields, and strive as much as possible to meet those needs.
The thesis was examined and recommended by the Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The defense was attended by a number of academics, researchers, interested individuals, in addition to the candidate’s colleagues and family members.
