By creating the Quality Assurance Manual (hereinafter: Manual), a strong foundation for guidance of the QA System and University activities is made. The Manual defines key areas of activity of the University, and within those defines quality standards and guidelines for all of the internal and external stakeholders. In this sense, the Manual represents steps which should be taken so that the development of the University could be based on a continuous improvement of efficiency of the entire system. It is also a reference point for continuous development of new measures for ensuring, managing, promoting and improving quality, and for monitoring those measures as defined by the Manual. The Manual is a baseline document for the implementation of quality assurance system strategy and a basis for the development of culture of quality of the University and all of its stakeholders.

The structure of the Manual corresponds to the areas which have been identified as crucial for outlining University's activities, and which are listed in the Criteria for the assessment of quality of higher education institutions within Universities (Agency for Science and Higher Education - ASHE, 2010) and Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ENQA, 2009) (hereinafter: ESG). Such a structure is also a basis for comparison of the University and its study programmes with the accredited European Union programmes.

The basic areas of assessment and their standards are the following:

 

1. UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

STANDARD 1:

The institution is clearly defined as a higher education institution by its mission statement and other documents which describe its activities. The mission of the higher education institution is to contribute to the society through the development of education, learning and scientific research, as well as other objectives determined by the specific characteristics of a higher education institution and its position in the society. (ASHE)

STANDARD 2: 

Institutions should ensure that they collect, analyse and use relevant information for the effective management of their programmes of study and other activities (ESG)

 

 

2. QUALITY POLICY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURES

STANDARD 3:

Institutions should have a policy and associated procedures for the assurance of the quality and standards of their programmes and awards. They should also commit themselves explicitly to the development of a culture which recognises the importance of quality, and quality assurance, in their work. To achieve this, institutions should develop and implement a strategy for the continuous enhancement of quality. The strategy, policy and procedures should have a formal status and be publicly available. They should also include a role for students and other stakeholders. (ESG)

 

 

3. STUDY PROGRAMMES

STANDARD 4:

Each study programme is designed in accordance with clearly defined students' learning outcomes and international standards. The higher education institution has established mechanisms for approval, monitoring and improvement of its programmes and qualifications. (ASHE)

STANDARD 5:

Institutions should have formal mechanisms for the approval, periodic review and monitoring of their programmes and awards. (ESG)

 

 

4. STUDENTS

STANDARD 6:

Higher education institution ensures quality of its students by means of an appropriate selection procedure, support in achieving progress throughout the studies and various other forms of support. (ASHE)

STANDARD 7:

Students should be assessed using published criteria, regulations and procedures which are applied consistently. (ESG)

STANDARD 8:

Institutions should regularly publish up to date, impartial and objective information, both quantitative and qualitative, about the programmes and awards they are offering. (ESG)

 

 

5. TEACHERS

STANDARD 9:

Higher education institution demonstrates that it employs a sufficient number of teachers with appropriate qualifications in order to achieve its education objectives, establish and monitor academic rules and ensure sustainability of its study programmes. (ASHE)

STANDARD 10:

Institutions should have ways of satisfying themselves that staff involved with the teaching of students are qualifi ed and competent to do so. They should be available to those undertaking external reviews, and commented upon in reports. (ESG)

 

 

6. SCIENTIFIC, ARTISTIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

STANDARD 11:

Higher education institution regularly carries out research activities whose result is an original piece of work which contributes to the overall knowledge, and is based on the results of basic, developmental and applied research. (ASHE)

 

 

7. MOBILITY AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

STANDARD 12:

Higher education institution is aware of the fact that it performs its activites within an international environment, and has therefore developed rules, procedures and resources to support its international activities. (ASHE)

 

 

8. RESOURCES: ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SERVICES, PREMISES, EQUIPMENT AND FINANCES

STANDARD 13:

Higher education institutions need to ensure appropriate and required education resources for all of the provided programmes. (ASHE)