Internal Quality Assurance Framework of Yerevan State University in the Context of European Standards and Guidelines

Dr. Hrant Zhamharyan Head, Academic-Methodological Department, YSU June 2011

Establishment of internal quality assurance system (IQA) in Yerevan State University (YSU) in accordance with the requirements of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) started in 2007. The YSU IQA framework consists of six components: Quality assurance (QA) of study programmes; QA of teaching staff; QA of learning resources and support services; Transparent student assessment system; Internal information systems; Public information.

Brief description of the YSU IQA framework 1. POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE 1a Main principles relating to the safeguarding of academic standards are as follows: Standards correspond to those identified by the qualification framework (QF) of European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and/or National QF; Standards satisfy the requirements of relevant governmental, professional & statutory bodies and similar organizations; Standards are regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure their currency and relevance; Principles underpinning aims, learning outcomes, teaching, learning and assessment are defined in the Methodological Guidelines for Development of YSU Educational Programmes (approved by YSU Academic Council in October, 2010); Feedback of recognized independent external experts is sought when standards are established, monitored or reviewed.

1b Principles relating to the assurance of quality are as follows: The quality of student learning experience meets the requirements of the relevant academic standard and programme specification; Quality assurance is informed by robust programme design, approval, annual monitoring, and periodic (6year) review, student and graduate feedback processes; Students are involved in the processes of programme monitoring and review; The views of external assessors are taken into account when the quality of programmes is reviewed; Assurance activities focus more on areas where there is a risk of quality decline.

1c Principles relating to the enhancement of quality are as follows: Measures of the quality of the student experience are established and regularly monitored; Where possible, such measures will be based upon already existing data sets, such as those derived from quality monitoring reports, student/graduate/employer feedbacks, and graduates employment statistics etc.

The YSU IQA strategy is stated in YSU Strategic Development Plan for 2010-2014 It includes introduction of an internal quality assurance system in line with European Standards and Guidelines. To accomplish this objective the following main strategies are envisaged in the Plan: To create a new YSU IQA policy To develop self-assessment criteria for the main performance areas To undertake and implement a self-assessment/self-study of the YSU To develop and introduce new learning outcomes-based educational standards To create internal regulations, guidelines and procedures. To create and publish criteria, regulations and procedures for impartial assessment of student learning outcomes To create and publish mechanisms and criteria for assessment of professional competences and teaching skills of YSU teaching staff. To develop a set of internal information for effective management of study programmes and educational processes. To ensure transparency and publicity of the criteria for IQ evaluation

2 APPROVAL, MONITORING AND PERIODIC REVIEW OF PROGRAMMES AND AWARDS YSU has developed and adopted several formal mechanisms in the forms of guidelines, regulations, procedures, criteria, etc., These mechanisms are as follows: Methodological Guidelines for Development of YSU Study Programmes; Regulations for Approval of YSU Study Programmes; The development of the Guidelines and Procedures for YSU Programme Monitoring and Review; Other official documents related to development of YSU study programmes include: Structure and content of YSU credit-based bachelors degree programmes (for full-time and correspondent/part-time studies); Structure and content of YSU credit-based masters degree programmes (for full-time and correspondent/part-time studies);

3 ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS In 2007 YSU revised and upgraded its student assessment methods and regulations in order to comply with the nature of the adopted ECTS credit system, which assumes continuing assessment of students, including the work they do outside of classroom, as well as with the requirements of ESGs. We follow the requirment according to which Students should be assessed using published criteria, regulations and procedures which are applied consistently.

4 QUALITY ASSURANCE OF TEACHING STAFF YSU has in place several procedures and regulations to make sure that the teaching staff is qualified and competent. That includes: Open competitive system of hiring (recruitment of) permanent teaching staff There is a contract system for appointment of teaching staff, which specifies rights and duties/responsibilities; There is a performance evaluation for all permanent academic staff members through regular (on the semesterbasis) student surveys. Compulsory (as well as optional) pedagogical training is in place YSU adopted a comprehensive credit-based staff development programme

5 LEARNING RESOURCES AND STUDENT SUPPORT In order to meet the requirements of the appropriate ESG standard the following permanent activities are being done at the University: The University library is regularly upgrading. Computing facilities are permanently upgrading There is a State (President-supported) programme for gradual upgrading of learning and research laboratory base of the University; Methodological support-base of the educational process is being constantly improved; Students are provided with guidebooks, programme handbooks, assessment regulations, credit-based study regulations, etc; There is a system of Academic Advisers (Counselors) which is not welldeveloped yet; The Student Union and Student Career Center operate at the University; The graduate satisfaction surveys conducted in YSU evaluate also satisfaction level of YSU graduates from University services and facilities;

6 INFORMATION SYSTEMS University has a centralized, but non-integrated information system (data on different activities are not gathered in one data warehouse), where internal information is collected through several separate information subsystems: Annual reports of all YSU units YSU annual report is discussed and approved by the YSU Council; The results of YSU graduates satisfaction surveys are available The internal computer-aided system (SuperVision) is employed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the University serves as an important tool for institutional self-evaluation and/or self-study. This set of KPIs consists of 83 indicators that measure YSU performance in six main areas Regular collection and analysis of data on profile of the student population (age, gender, educational background, socioeconomic background, etc.).

7 PUBLIC INFORMATION The information that is publicly available about YSU study programmes includes: The Guide for YSU Applicant (with CD version), YSU First-year Student Information Package; The Credit-based Study Handbook & Course Catalog for Bachelors and Masters degree programme students The published annual report of the YSU Rector, which includes detailed information on both academic and research activities; The YSU annual financial report; Statistics on the students currently involved in the programmes (number, profile of the student population, etc.); The YSU Web-site, publications or other information materials.

The mission of YSU

Yerevan State University is an autonomous educational and scientific-cultural institution with national and regional responsibility, the main mission of which is to create knowledge, transfer and disseminate it within the framework of state strategy of education development. Based on the principles of state policy for education, the University promotes the development of intellectual and personal qualities of its students and lecturers, and contributes to the rise of economic, social and cultural welfare of the society. The priority goals of YSU are the development of Armenology, humanities, social-economic and natural sciences and culture, carrying out basic research in various fields.

The mission of YSU (contnd.)

The University always seeks excellence and innovation in teaching, research and public services. As an important component of its mission, the University seeks to become a student-centred educational environment, which prepares its graduates for an active role in public life and for leadership, a professional career and lifelong learning in line with the current requirements of globalized economy and labour market.

YSU mission targets:

teaching and learning. research and development. services to society.

STRATEGIC GOAL 1. QUALITY EDUCATION To become one of the leading universities in the region, to insure high educational standards and to enable students to fully realize their potential by providing flexible study programs meeting todays requirements. Main Objectives: Implement revision of structure and contents of the study programs in line with current international curricula standards and requirements of the employment market. Introduce internal quality assurance system in accordance with the requirements of European standards. Ensure extended application of the credit system in all University educational programs and study modes. Create favourable conditions and supportive mechanisms for substantial improvement of the teaching, learning and assessment processes. Ensure extended and effective utilization of information technologies in the teaching and learning process of the University.

STRATEGIC GOAL 2. QUALITY RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONS To maximize the application of Universitys research potential in enhancing the economic development and public welfare processes by creating canters of excellence in priority research fields, and encourage active involvement of teaching staff in research activities. Main Objectives: Create prerequisites and supportive mechanisms for substantial growth of research activities and broader engagement of teaching staff and students in research projects. Stimulate the development of University-Industry research collaboration; create an innovation infrastructure for research activities to commercialize research outputs. Promote internationalization processes of the Universitys research activities; ensure integration of the University in European Research Area. Reconstruct University postgraduate studies as a 3rd cycle of higher education in compliance with the requirements of European Qualifications Framework.

STRATEGIC GOAL 3. Community Involvement and Services To sustain the intellectual, educational, economic, scientific and cultural progression of the society, thus promoting recognition of the University, its activities and external support. Main Objectives: Ensure further development of interaction with the society and broader involvement of the University in community programs. Develop lifelong learning system in the University in line with the social demand

Practical steps for the university quality assurance includes organising University QA and Control Department which employs Head of Department and 4 Officers In 2010 YSU formulated and adopted new IQA policy, which meets main requirements of ESG Standards #1 and #2 for IQA.
The aims of the YSU QA policy are safeguarding of YSU academic standards, assurance and enhancement of quality of all YSU awards. Principles are related to: the safeguarding of academic standards to the assurance of quality to the enhancement of quality

YSU strategic plan for internal quality assurance (2011-2015). The YSU IQA strategy is stated in YSU Strategic Development Plan for 20102014 (Goal I, Objective 2: To introduce an internal quality assurance system in line with the requirements of European Standards and Guidelines). To accomplish this objective the following strategies are envisaged in the Plan: To create a new YSU IQA policy that includes continual quality enhancement strategy, appropriate procedures, organizational structures and identifies the roles and responsibilities of administrative and academic structures of the University. To develop self-assessment criteria for the main performance areas of the University based on the standards of international accreditation organizations and National Quality Assurance Center of Professional Education. To undertake and implement a self-assessment/self-study of the YSU academic activities with publication of the report, which will serve as a basis for external QA/accreditation processes and development of appropriate quality enhancement measures. To prepare the University for the external evaluation/accreditation processes.

To develop and introduce new learning outcomes-based educational standards for YSU Bachelors and Masters degree programmes based on the Qualification Framework of EHEA and international subject-benchmark statements. To create internal regulations, guidelines and procedures for development, approval, routine monitoring and periodic review of YSU study programmes, to adopt criteria for assessment of programme needs in teaching and learning resources. To create and publish criteria, regulations and procedures for impartial assessment of student learning outcomes, which includes appropriate appeal and complaint mechanisms, and to ensure their publicity and consistent application. To create and publish mechanisms and criteria for assessment of professional competences and teaching skills of YSU teaching staff. To develop a set of internal information, which is required for the effective management of study programmes and educational processes? To ensure transparency and publicity of the criteria for internal quality evaluation, the self-assessment process and appropriate report to the internal and external stakeholders of the University, as well as student participation and feedback in QA processes.

Thank you!