New Trend at Grodno State University: Implementation of Quality Management System as a Step Towards Integration of Belorussian HE into European Educational Space Riga 2009

Belarus Grodno

Belarus Grodno

Our country – the Republic of Belarus Our University is named after the national poet of Belarus – Yanka Kupala

Grodno Founded in 1128 Today the population of the city consists of: Belarusians (56%) Poles (22%) Russians (18%) Ukrainians (3%) also Lithuanians, Tatars, Jews.

Traditions of the University 1591 – an Orthodox school – 1773 – a Jesuit college – first higher medical educational establishment in Belarus – Medical Academy (school) February 22, 1940 – Teacher Training Institute which was reorganized into Grodno State Pedagogical Institute in – named after a national poet of Belarus – Yanka Kupala October 13, 1978 – the pedagogical institute was reorganised into Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.

University Mission To promote learning and research in order to train well-educated and motivated citizens, who are needed in the region, the country and the world, and to develop an integrated socio- cultural environment through the application of knowledge accumulated by the world community for the benefit of the region’s and country’s development

14 faculties and an association of socio-humanitarian sciences (totaling 76 departments), 4 colleges and Institute for Professional Skills Upgrading and Retraining. More than undergraduate, master’s and postgraduate (Ph.D.) students are currently enrolled at the university faculty members and staff are involved in the education and professional training of undergraduate and post-graduate students. University today

Forms of Education full time part time by correspondence distance learning short-term courses Levels of Education preparatory studies first diploma second diploma Master’s degree Ph.D. studies upgrading training retraining Additional Courses language courses computer courses business seminars

Faculty of Philologyhttp://phf.grsu.by Faculty of History and Sociology Faculty of Economics and Management Faculty of Law Faculty of Pedagogy Faculty of Arts Faculty of Psychology Faculty of Physics and Engineering Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science Faculty of Biology and Ecologyhttp://fbe.grsu.by Faculty of Physical Training Faculty of Tourism and Service Military Faculty Faculty of Engineering and Transportation Institute for Professional Skills Upgrading and Retraining Grodno Pedagogical College Grodno Technological College Lida College Volkovysk College

Undergraduate education – 80 specialties Master’s degree studies – 33 specialties Postgraduate studies – 36 specialties Specialized secondary education – 32 specialties

Dynamics of increase in numbers of students

Annual research is carried out within the framework of 150 research thesis. The research is carried out in the following fields: Energy supplies, alternative and renewable energy resources Machine engineering Physical, chemical, biological, and genetic methods and technologies of producing new substances Nano–materials and nano–technologies Developing new medical, diagnostic, preventive and rehabilitation technology, devices and products Mathematical, and physical modelling of systems, structures, and processes in the nature and society Competitive products of laser and optical engineering Environmental safety, preservation of the environment, mineral resources and mining of Belarus Theoretical basis for the development of innovative socially oriented economy in Belarus Academics

Scientific potential of the Grodno region and YKSUG

Partner Countries

The university has reached its limits of extensive development

Challenges posed by the modern world: Technical progress Globalization and Internationalization Commercialization of HE CHANGING ROLE OF HE IN SOCIETY More attention to the quality assurance support

late1990s – announcement of the idea of integration of HE of Belarus into European educational space – actualization of the task at hand is still relevant

In 2002 Ministry of Education of Belarus along with the leading HE Institutions started developing new educational standards using some of the elements related to Bologna process among other criteria

The elements of Bologna process in HE of Belarus Bologna –Two stage HE: Specialists (i.e. bachelor’s, 4-6 years) Magister (i.e. Master’s,1 year based on the first stage specialization), geared towards further doctorate studies Master’s (individual programs for international students, individual plan of study, 2 years) But … there is no credit system, not easily convertible to Bologna process equivalent.

Solution – to create robust university management system based on the best examples of national and international experience that would: -optimize the process of education -create a strong base for responding to changing environment and “easy” governance -increase effectiveness of the governance -assure quality of education -increase prestige and reputation of the university

Quality of Education: –Achieving competitiveness of Belorussian HE –Increasing attractiveness for different categories of prospective students, –Broadening of the export of HE

Functioning elements of QMS in the system of education of Belarus: –Accreditation and licensing, –Complex of government educational standards –System wide statistical reporting, etc.

Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno Started work on implementation of QMS in 2001 and we expect to be certified in the end of Components needed for effective QMS: -strengthening of the resources (material and human) -introduction of innovative educational approaches -Mapping out and monitoring of the processes -Development of corporate culture

Conditions for successful implementation of QMS –Readiness of the faculty and staff; –Use of international experience: Collaboration with HE establishments of Russian Federation, USA, Great Britain and Sweden. 2 international grants (TEMPUS/TACIS), Participation in a number of international seminars. Significant number of faculty and administrators have been certified as auditors

Steps taken at YKSU: –Developed documentation regarding quality management (strategy and policy) –Implemented system of strategic planning –Mapped out processes –Introduced system of monitoring, evaluation and control of quality in selected processes, –Regular audit of quality –Developed principles and methods of data collection in regards to the main processes and ongoing work for quality improvement

–Created Center of University Management that includes Department of QM –Created website dedicated to QM (information on QM at YKSUG and international) –Research on QM at YKSUG supported through intramural grant support –Annual ranking of academic departments and evaluation of the faculty by students

Questions related to implementation of QMS: –What kind of result do we expect? –Who’s evaluation is of special value? –What can and must QMS give to the university, every participant of the process of education?

YKSUG experience: –Implementation of QMS should follow the proper steps and must not be rushed. A strong QMS needs solid foundation.

Problems related to implementation of QMS: –Costs –Low motivation of academic faculty and staff

Conclusion: We strongly believe that it is not the question of if QMS has a place at the university, but what from it will take at a Belorussian university to deliver its full potential. QM is a significant step towards integration of Belarus HE with European HE

In 2008 the Ministry of Education of Belarus carried out decision to develop and implement QMS at Belorussian universities.

Acknowledgements Alena Razava, Ph.D.

Thank you for your attention!