Internal quality development and assurance in HEIs Seminar on quality assurance in higher education in Armenia Yerevan, 4 June 2007 Karin Riegler Senior Programme Manager, EUA

…2… European University Association (EUA) EUA: main representative organisation of universities (c750) and their national Rectors’ Conferences (34) in 46 countries across Europe Mission: to ensure that universities have the means to fulfil their three-fold mission (research, teaching and services to society) Policy development and advocacy Support to members (projects, services & publications) Particular focus on Bologna process implementation INTRODUCTION

…3… Higher education in Europe: a complex environment National priorities: great variety of national policies and corresponding requirements on HEIs Bologna process: a larger Europe looking for convergence through common structures and tools - focussing on teaching and learning [Lisbon strategy: a smaller Europe with ambitious economic and social goals – focus on research and wider societal transformation process] Internationalisation/globalisation: increased competition, growing global higher education market, debate on trade in educational services INTRODUCTION

…4… Quality assurance: an essential tool for European HEIs -> EUA activities Institutional Evaluation Programme (since 1993): 170 higher education institutions in 37 countries Projects: Quality Culture ( ): 150 institutions in 30 countries EMNEM- European Masters New Evaluation Methodology – guidelines for internal QA of joint master programmes (2006) Creativity in Higher Education ( ): 32 institutions in 20 countries European Forum for Quality Assurance (2006-) Policy debates on the European dimension of QA (E4, European Standards and Guidelines, register of QA agencies) National and international activities EUA ACTIVITIES

…5… Lessions learned from EUA activities All HEIs have deficits There are frequently analysed common deficits There are no “one-fits-all” solutions, but it is possibel to define common principles for internal quality There is no single definition of quality or excellence -> relative concepts Quality is not a neutral concept, but closely related to ideology and power (who defines quality in which way, who is accountable to whom etc.) Direct correlation between autonomy and quality culture Autonomy and accountability – a fragile balance LESSIONS LEARNED

…6… Recommendations for internal quality General principles: ESG as a tool for internal quality, not as a checklist Institutional mission and goals as primary points of reference for all quality processes (fitness for purpose) Focus on the global picture, i.e. the institution as a whole A shared concept of quality among the university community -> quality culture Continuous improvement, and not “punishment” for non- compliance, as the main purpose of internal quality measures -> future orientation Mindful of the effects of quality measures on creativity and innovation Complement internal quality processes with external elements RECOMMENDATIONS (1)

…7… Recommendations (2) Processes: Selection of priority areas for internal quality on the basis of institutional self-evaluation Linking university data collection and analysis with internal quality processes Balancing transparency with confidentiality Ensuring effective feedback loops on outcomes of internal quality processes (follow-up) and communication to the university community Avoiding overly bureaucratic or complicated processes Avoiding costly procedures -> cost/benefit analysis is essential (include intangible costs such as stress, loss of morale, etc.) RECOMMENDATIONS (2)

…8… Recommendations (3) Actors: Broad involvement of the university community (students, academic and administrative staff) in the development of internal quality measure (bottom-up) University leadership to fully endorse and backup the implementation (top-down) Cooperation Information updates on European/international debates Exchange of experiences and good practices with other HEIs, nationally and internationally Using opportunities for benchmarking Active participation in national negotiations about the scope of quality measures RECOMMENDATIONS (3)

…9… Thank you very much for your attention Institutional Evaluation programme: Quality Culture: EMNEM – Quality of Joint Masters: Creativity in Higher Education: European Forum for Quality Assurance: FURTHER INFORMATION