The role of self-study-report in negotiating local accreditation and international standards at a Qatar-based international branch campus

Purpose The expansion of international branch campuses (IBCs) across the Gulf Cooperation Council region has led to the development of national quality assurance frameworks through the establishment of accreditation agencies, such as the National Committee for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation in Qatar. The purpose of this study is to examine how an IBC navigates the alignment of internationally accredited quality standards with emerging domestic regulatory requirements. Design/methodology/approach Guided by actor-network theory and using a qualitative case study approach, this study traces the self-study report of an IBC in Qatar as a key accreditation artefact, mapping actors, relationships and activities within the accreditation network. Documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews serve as primary sources of evidence. Findings The findings indicate that national priorities, data-informed continuous improvement, contextualisation and the normalisation of evidence use shape local definitions of quality. Research limitations/implications As a single-site qualitative case study, the findings are context-specific. Nonetheless, the insights generated may be transferable to similar IBC contexts. The interview sample was limited to personnel directly involved in accreditation, and excluded faculty members without such involvement, as well as external stakeholders whose perspectives may differ from those represented in this study. Future research could include these groups, alongside students, regulators and parent-institution representatives. Practical implications From a policy perspective, the findings offer insights for policymakers seeking to refine Qatar’s emerging accreditation system while balancing international standards with national priorities. Originality/value This study contributes to higher education quality assurance by drawing on actor-network theory to show how documentary artefacts participate in processes of translation and by offering practical insights into the development of Qatar’s emerging accreditation system.