The search for new ways of Quality Assurance The project “European Quality Audit” of the Universities of Bremen and Siegen Dr. Anke Rigbers Berlin, 1st July 2016

Contents Background Objective and Key Elements Steps of the Project

Background: Escape clause of the German Accreditation Council Call for proposals of the Accreditation Council (2014) –Recommendations of the German Council of Science and Humanities 2012 Search for new and innovative quality assurance procedures which are in compliance with –European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) –German Standards of Accreditation Selection of four projects in March 2016 Start of the project in October 2016

Objectives and Key Elements (I)  Development of a European Quality Audit as a comprehensive quality assurance procedure which covers besides teaching and learning, research, transfer and governance, internationality and diversity  Establishment of a consortium of European universities Cooperation with European Accreditation Agencies (aaq, evalag, national agencies) Participation of the EUA and ENQA to strengthen the European perspective

 Strengthening quality assurance and quality enhancement through crossborder cooperation  A comprehensive and flexible tool or tool-box which complies with different requirements (law, regulations etc.) and needs (e. g. current challenges of a HEI)  Creation of the conditions necessary for an integrated quality assurance system  Supporting the further-development of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Objectives and Key Elements (II)

European network of universities – Additional Value Platform for information-exchange, benchlearning, development and consultation “Learning organization” which facilitates a development process involving self-reflection and self-analysis Platform for the execution of (reciprocal) assessments and the provision of feedback as part of an ongoing dialogue Deepening the reciprocal understanding and rapprochement of educational systems in Europe (EHEA)

Members of the Consortium and Partners University of Bremen University of Siegen University of Graz University of Lucerne University of Helsinki University of Groningen University of Riga evalag aaq EUA ENQA

University of Bremen – Profile Medium-sized institution with a broad range of disciplines, ranging from natural sciences and engineering, law, business studies and social sciences, to the humanities, cultural studies, pedagogy and educational sciences 290 professors (including 50 collaborating professors at research institutes), some 2,000 academic staff, and 20,000 students One of Germany`s eleven top universities of excellence University was founded on the principles of the reform movement in the 1970s and thus has a long tradition of incorporating important diversity parameters into its processes Procedure of system accreditation is terminated

University of Siegen – Profile Medium-sized university with an interdisciplinary outlook and more than 19,000 students Staff of about 3,200 people, including 247 professors, approx. 940 academic staff and approx. 300 associate lecturers Twelve disciplines consolidated into four thematically structured faculties with a solid, reliable approach to teaching and a dynamic, flexible approach to research Interruption of the procedure of the system accreditation

evalag – Centre of Competence for Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education Our mission: Contribution to strengthening the self-steering ability of higher education institutions and boosting the quality culture Support the commitment of higher education and scientific institutions to achieve high quality in science, teaching and studies and the institution as a whole

Phase I Application Erasmus + - Strategic partnerships Benchmarking of the various service areas Phase II Development of guidelines / good practice: science/research, teaching, governance, technology transfer, administration as well as cross-sectional issues diversity and internationalization Phase III External assessment of the participating universities Phase IV Evaluation of the developed tool box Concluding conference, presentation of the results Phase V Implementation and admission of the „European Quality Audit“ Consortium of the Universities Bremen ● Graz ● Groningen ● Helsinki ● Lucerne ● Riga ● Siegen

Phase I ( ) Review of the current situation Identification and compilation of common elements of quality assurance –Identification and selection of suitable models/tools and measures that are already in place at the participating universities, –Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the audit models/tools Assessment of good practice models in place NEUQA – submission of a project proposal in the Erasmus+ Programme

Phase II (2017) Development of assessment criteria for the areas of activity (research, promotion of young researchers, transfer, infrastructure, internationality, governance etc.) and respective question guidelines for the preparation of self-evaluation reports Exchange of experiences and expertise within the network with the aim of creating feasible elements for a comprehensive quality assurance procedure (tool box) Development of a first draft of audit guidelines

Phase III (2018) Execution of an assessment of the new European Quality Audit Test of the audit guideline Participation of network members as guests in the site-visit Results: Validated procedure (European Quality Audit) as an optional amendment of the accreditation system Consolidation of the network through reciprocal consultation

Phases IV and V ( ) Evaluation by ENQA Adaptation of the procedure and the audit guideline, if necessary Electronic surveys within the network on the effectiveness of the European Quality Audit Dissemination of the results

Thank you very much for your attention!