A proposed guide to activate benchmarking as an improvement tool for academic programs at King Khalid University in the light of some international models

The study aimed to present a proposed guide to activate benchmarking to improve academic programs at King Khalid University in the light of some international models, by identifying the level of activation of benchmarking in improving the academic programs at King Khalid University, and the level of availability of the requirements for its activation. The study relied on the descriptive (survey) approach, and the questionnaire as a tool for data collection, as it was applied to the study population, which is (196) members of the program accreditation teams at King Khalid University. The results showed that the level of activation of benchmarking as an improvement tool for academic programs at King Khalid University in light of Some global models were average, with an arithmetic mean of (1.78), the harmonization stage came in the first place, with an average level of activation, with an arithmetic mean of (1.84), and the analysis stage came in the second place, with a medium level of activation, with an arithmetic mean of (1.77), while the planning stage came in the last rank, with an average level of activation, with an arithmetic mean of (1.72), and that the level of availability of the requirements for activating benchmarking as an improvement tool for academic programs came at an average level, with a general arithmetic mean of (2.25). In light of the results of the study, the researcher recommended adopting the application of the proposed procedural guide, establishing a benchmarking unit within the organizational structure of the university, promoting an organizational culture that supports competition, and holding training workshops for members of accreditation teams in the field of benchmarking.