Date post: | 31-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | garrett-duke |
View: | 26 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Quality Assurance System at Azerbaijan University of
Languages
Jala GaribovaBaku
Quality Assurance and Control Center at Azerbaijan University
of Languages
Established: November 2008 under TEMPUS SCM project “Establishing Quality Control Systems at Azerbaijan
Universities” Project partners: Winchester University (UK) Warsaw University (Poland) Carlos III University of Madrid (Spain) Baku State University Khazar University Azerbaijan University of Languages
QA Predecessor at AUL:
Center of Evaluation of Education and Social Research
Established: May 2005
Responsibilities: Provision of expertise on quality of
higher education
Activity Outcomes
Information about education process at the University (to be used by top management)
Close observation of the development of new curricula, new examination and grading methods
Understanding problems encountered by students and staff
Facilitated decision making
QA CENTER STAFF
Director
EXPERT
TYPIST
CHIEF EXPERT SOCIOLOGIST
Quality Assurance: Mission Envisioned
Creating quality cultureDevelopment vs. discipliningPublicityCorporate culture Social responsibility Regional and international integrationEnhanced research and academic standardsPromoting civil society
Quality Assurance via International Projects
Curricular reformsResearch StandardsStructural Changes and Institutional ReformsAssessment CriteriaResourcesInfrastructureBologna requirementsLocal and regional outreachSchool reforms
International Partnerships and QA procedures (1)
Haccettepe University ( Turkey )
Curriculum modernization (focus on learning outcomes)Structural changes Joint degrees
Marc Bloch University ( France )
Curriculum reforms (focus on learning outcomes)3-cycle system: transfer of degrees (doctoral programs)Mobility of students and staff Joint degrees Structural changes
International Partnerships and QA procedures (2)
Oslo University and Agder University (Norway)
Staff mobilityStudent mobilityImproved academic standards and focus on learning
outcomesECTS implementationCountry- wide reforms
Essex University
Program audit (new tradition in QA in Azerbaijan)Student mobilityJoint degrees
QA Tools (1)
Review process:
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Internal review External reviewImplementing
Review Outcomes
QA Tools (2)
Performance evaluation
Academia UnitsTop
management
Administration and support staff
Programs/courses
QA Tools (3)
Internal review:AcademiaPrograms
UnitsUniversity
Self assessment Peer reviewCommittee assessment
Student/upward feedback
QA Tools (4)
External review:
DepartmentsUniversity
Peer reviewIndependent
Agencies
State Accreditation
International Programs
QA Tools (5)
Implementing Review
Outcomes(individuals)
Extended contracts
PromotionAssistance along “progress route”
Dealing with “difficult cases”
QA Tools (6)
Implementing Review
Outcomes(units/programs)
Sustained/closed programs/units
Higher Degree of Flexibility and
Autonomy
Voice in the Reform process
Increased finances (???)
Performance EvaluationAcademia:HiringPromotionCriteria revised (higher level of skills required, student feedback)Non- academic staff:New requirementsAdopting international standards of hiring Units:Peer reviewNew self-assessment tools (reporting on Why? How? What for? instead of What? Where? When?)Top management:Upward ( 360° ) feedbackPrograms: Internal ( upward and downward )External ( local and international )University:Accreditation (local or international)Upward evaluation
Assessment of Academic StaffCriteria
Required knowledge and skillsResearch MotivationCorporate input
Procedures
Certification of required knowledge and skills(internationally recognized language tests etc.)Motivation letter Student assessment reports of previous periods (if available)Research profile (sources of publication)Proof of input in overall reform process at AUL and/or
countrywideInterview (interview process revised)
Structure of Unit Self-Evaluation
Presentation of the mission and strategy List of staff Teaching matters Students’ matters Research activitiesEducational management issues Intra-university, interuniveristy and international cooperation The most important achievements The weakest points (real or potential) problems Plans for the near future Graduate profiles and intended learning outcomes
Program evaluation • Education objectives and intended qualifications of• graduates• Compliance of the curriculum with the educational
profile of graduates• Employability of graduates • Compatibility with ECTS• Compatibility with learning outcomes descriptors• Assessment criteria• Resources involved • International compatibility • Sustainability report
ACTIONS TO BE PERFORMED (1)
Modernization of Curricula
Students- centered approach Interactive teaching Defining learning outcomesFlexibility of deliveryCritical teachingTeam workGrading and assessmentStudent choice (electives)Transparency Student work-load Boosting Bologna
ACTIONS TO BE PERFORMED (2)
Research
Measuring on quality, not on quantityReach-out through international partnershipsIntegrating research into educationInternational standards
ACTIONS TO BE PERFORMED (3)
Structural changes
New units establishedChanges in functionsChanges in structural responsibilitiesChanges in the work-loadRestructuring HR Department
HR Procedures Revised
Increased responsibility of HR staffCommunication techniquesIncreased language skillsInterview “know-how”Strategic communicationProject-based approach
IMPACT(1)
Legal Framework Education lawRevised legislative documents Financing patternsInfrastructure
IMPACT(2)
Promoting civil society and expanding a political
space for educational reforms
Student involvementInternational expertiseRegional growth of projects through follow-
up initiatives Transnational HE policyCompetition and merit-based reward
Values Obtained: Improved academic standards and modernized
curriculaImproved Educational managementMarketability of researchHorizontal (not vertical) managementConcreteness of functionsLinkage among positions and functionsDynamic activity within a stable structure Consistency and stabilityBalanced approach (think globally, act locally)AutonomyTransparency Boosting reformsRegional effect