ENCHASE
“ENHANCING ALBANIAN SYSTEM OF
QUALITY ASSURANCE IN HIGHER
EDUCATION: APPLICATION OF THE
PROCESS AND OUTCOME BASED
METHODOLOGY”
ENCHASE
Focus:
Increasing and improvement of external and
internal quality indicators on Higher Education
Institutions, as one of the most important aspects
that aim to bring teaching system and the the
services provided by The Albanian higher
education system» with similar institutions in
Europe.
WP1 - ESG aligned
National Quality Assurance Framework
(months 1-16)
The aim of this work package is to create a
framework for providing external and
internal quality of Albanian HEIs
aiming to increase the capacity of existing
structures and concrete elements for
measuring the quality of these institutions.
This can be accomplished only thanks to the
fruitful cooperation of the Albanian HEIs with
PAAHE, MAS and cooperation between the two
last European universities partners in this
project.
WP1 - ESG aligned
National Quality Assurance Framework
(months 1-16)
1.1 Design a national
quality framework
.
Creating a steering Committee
representatives from PAAHE MAS
Albanian HEIs and European partners.
1.2 Development of a IQA Improved Structure
framework
and human resources in order to IQA.
1.3 The restructuring of
IQA framework
Review of the current framework and
Reviewing of unit manual for its proper
functioning.
WP2 - Building capacities
of the staff involved on IQA
(month 1-16)
2.1 Training package
.
Training package by QANU, CESIE and EU
experts to create a quality assurance
system based on results
2.2 Training of
stakeholders involved
Training on UKOLD of personnel engaged in
quality assurance.
Training for the other 20 IQA members after
returning to university.
2.3 Capacity building in
IQAU
- Purchase of equipment for IQAU;
- Preparation of documentation on which will be
based policies, procedures, job descriptions,
strategic development plans and financing.
WP1 – WP2
ACTIVITIES
BENCHMARKING REPORT – IQA On University
. a.
-
Functional units, handbooks
and supporting
documentation for quality
assurance;
b. Current IQA standards in the
national quality assurance;
c. Expectations of each
University by ENCHASE; the
direct impact area of this
project in IQA.
Discussions about benchmark
reports;
Short summaries about positive and
negative experiences of the analysis
of the IQA within the reports;
Albanian HEIs need to change their
standpoint regarding the IQA (by a
process control in an element to
increase their competitiveness
on the HEIs market in the country)
SWOT analysis of the IQA.
WP1 – WP2
ACTIVITIES
Benchmark Reports Redesigning highlighted:
- Concrete elements of quality assurance in the fields
and directions in which the need to focus attention and
possible remedies to measure these indicators.
- IQAU Functions as a coordinating unit in the
organization of IQA. (including the management of IT,
human resources, student career, labor market,
collecting and analyzing data about research, etc.)
WP1 – WP2
ACTIVITIES
Compliance Standards of
European Framework for Quality Assurance
HEIs defined compliance, enforcement and
the need to adapt one of seven quality
standards of the European Framework for
Quality Assurance in Higher Education.
- Questionnaire with Albanian partners;
Review of legal procedures related with
indicators
of
European
standards
Framework;
Communication with the authorities of the
institution to determine the current level of
compliance;
Stripping out the elements that do not fit.
ESG 1.2 – Quality indicators for
approval, monitoring and review of
programs of study.
- Lack of prior studies of the labor
market;
- Lack of external study programs
expertise;
- Lack of specific tools for measuring
learning outcomes;
- Lack of awareness of the academic
staff for periodic review and programs
updating to the needs of the labor
market.
WP1 – WP2
ACTIVITIES
Report II - Benchmark
ACHIEVEMENTS / IMPROVEMENTS
- Mission, Vision, and human resources structure IQA are determined;
- Study programs have full information relevant regulations (objectives,
employment opportunities, evaluation forms, criteria and rules for the
protection transfers the subject exam diploma or training) and are also
available online to interested parties;
- Infrastructure available to the teaching activities and learning within
and outside auditor is on required standards;
- Good functioning of information systems;
- Increased involvement of IQAU promotion of activities related to quality
and its main actors within the University - creation of «the culture of
quality».
WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES
Report II - Benchmark
FURTHER INTERFERENCE ASPECTS
- Awareness and involvement of students in the IQA process;
- Continuing involvement of stakeholders on issues related not only to
the labor market, but also restructuring the curricula, specialization
students, the practical application of academic knowledge, etc.
- Increasing the number of applications for student mobility; custody
services; development of support programs for weak students with
outstanding achievements; involvement of students in scientific
activity; creating links between students and graduates, etc.
- Maintaining links with Alumni;
- Including IQAU on the Strategic Plan development of the University as
a HEIs.
- Lack of mechanisms for continuous training of academic staff.
WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES
IQAU Manual Restructuring
- The concept of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA);
- IQA processes;
- Vision, Mission, Structures and Functions of IQA;
 VISION
To establish a University
academic
context
that
meets the standards of the
National Framework of
Quality Assurance.
MISSION
To build a sustainable system of
structures, of human resources
and of key performance
indicators, which assist the
continuous improvement of the
University quality.
WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES
IQAU Manual Restructuring
- Internal quality assessment - self evaluation
- Enterprises quality improvement;
- IQAU Staff respective tasks;
- IQA tools and mechanisms;
- Strategies based on an action plan;
- Definition of key performance Indicators
WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES
IQAU Manual Restructuring
Aim
Render all
administrative
structures at
the university
aware of the
role they have
in the IQA
Operational
Goals
What will we
do?
Increase the
Train the staff
involvement of with possible
the members of intervention
the IQA units
issues
in monitoring
the Faculty
academic
activity
Who will do
it?
IQA Unit
internal
and
external
experts
When?
(milestone
s / dates)
2016
Possible barriers (Who could
What is the
oppose this? How?)
cost? (make
a difference
between
available and
necessary
costs
- The actual staff performs their
role as part of their volunteer
contribution to the university
activity; shortage of available
time for the IQA activities.
- Financial constrains on the
behalf of the university.
- Chance of staff withdraw
possibility.
Increase the
number of the
full time IQA
staff
Rectorate
2016-2017
-
Involve external
specialists
expertize in the
IQA processes
Rectorate
2016-2018
-
- Shortage of qualified
applicants.
- Unwillingness of the
Ministry of Education and
Sport to approve increase of
the fulltime personnel.
- Financial shortcomings
WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES
Below expectations:
.
• Need to switch from an overall framework in
concrete elements for measuring quality.
• Highlighting discrepancies within each ESG
Albanian IQA.
• Need to get reaction PAAHE MAS and
European partners about Benchmark
Reports and IQAU, and the concretization of
its practical functions.
ENCHASE
The project touches a sensitive point for the current phase in
which a higher education institutions in Albania.
Thanks to the experience we have shared so far about IQA
with Albanian University institutional representatives or
responsible for, HEIs themselves could benefit elements that
need awareness that quality assurance should not be done
simply for the sake of control and accreditation.
In this view current activities could highlight the gap Albanian
HEIs have in the structure and tools for measuring quality
assurance.
ENCHASE
We are hoping that this meeting will give its
contribution at best this an ongoing ....
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