The Structure and Role of QA Bodies at the University and faculty/department levels UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE Serbia

31 Faculties 10 Research Institutes Scheme of the Organisation RECTORATE 1 Faculties of Social and Humanistic Sciences 2 Faculties of Medical Sciences 3 Faculties of Sciences & Mathematics 4 Faculties of Engineering and Technology Groups: University Library Computer center UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE Serbia PR service Career center Centre for strategic management of higher education Sport center Information center

Staff: 1 Full Professors = Associate professors = Assistant professors = Assistants = = Administration = UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE Serbia 1 Undergraduate = Graduate = Students: Academic year 2007/2008

Present state: Higher Education system at the University of Belgrade is essentially based on two main cycles: The second cycle leads to the MASTER and/or DOCTORATE degree Access to the second cycle requires successful completion of undergraduate studies II GRADUATE and I UNDERGRADUATE 123 UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE Serbia

UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE Serbia 1 Diploma Supplement Establishment of a system of credits (ECTS) Updating and restructuring of specific subject’s curricula Considerable involvement of the University of Belgrade in the preparation of the Law on Higher Education Development of the informative system for student schooling and services Self-evaluation of faculties in respect to the Bologna Declaration requirements Implementation of Bologna Declaration

Organisation of University Organisation of QA Bodies SCHEME OF THE ORGANISATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF QUALITY ASSUARANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE Faculties groups Faculties University of Belgrade University committee for QA University working group for QA Faculties’ working groups for QA Faculty working group for QA Responsibilities and reports Communication Establishment of the working groups

UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE Serbia External evaluation May 2002*

Significance of Accreditation in Europe The Berlin Declaration ( 2003) reads as follows: “The quality of higher education has proven to be at the heart of the setting up of a European Higher Education Area.” National quality assurance systems should include the following: Evaluation of programmes or institutions, including internal assessment, external review, participation of students and the publication of results Evaluation of programmes or institutions, including internal assessment, external review, participation of students and the publication of results, A system of accreditation, certification or comparable procedures.

all countries in Europe have established national quality assurance systems in the domain of higher educationaccreditation procedures These political concepts have been largely implemented to date: practically all countries in Europe have established national quality assurance systems in the domain of higher education, and accreditation procedures have become an important method for external quality assurance. Definition and Purpose of Accreditation The European Consortium for Accreditation (ECA) defines accreditation as a formal and independent decision, indicating that an institution of higher education and/or programmes offered meet certain standards “a formal and independent decision, indicating that an institution of higher education and/or programmes offered meet certain standards.” This definition also covers some quality assessments that are described as “accreditation like procedures”.

multi-step process  Accreditation is achieved through a multi-step process selfevaluation/ documentation submitted by the unit undergoing accreditation;  external assessment by independent experts  external assessment by independent experts; the accreditation decision.  The accreditation decision depends upon a quality assessment based on internationally accepted quality standards.  The final decision of the accreditation “yes” or “no” judgment  The final decision of the accreditation procedure itself is authoritative in nature, has been determined by an external process, and results in a “yes” or “no” judgment with a limited validity.

The Law on Higher Education (2005) “Službeni glasnik 76/2005” NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ACCREDITATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMISSION (CAQA) MINISTRY OF EDUCATION NATIONAL COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION Institutions of higher education Conference of Serbian Universities Conference of high school principals Republic of Serbia

RULES AND REGULATIONS SELF- ASSESSMENT AND QUALITY CONTROL ON STANDARDS OF SELF- ASSESSMENT AND QUALITY CONTROL OF HEIs RULES AND REGULATIONS OF EXTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL ON STANDARD PROCEDURES OF EXTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL RULES AND REGULATIONS ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES INSTITUTIONS STUDY PROGRAMS OF ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR STUDY PROGRAMS Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission proposed to the National Council the rules,regulations procedures and standards for  s s s self-assessment and quality control,  e e e external quality control and  a a a accreditation of the high education institutions and study programmes. The National Council of higher education (2006) The National Council of higher education (2006) approved the following:

THE FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL OF HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION STANDARDS FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL OF HIGHER EDUCATION Standard 1. Study program structure Standard 2. Study program purpose Standard 3. Objectives of the study program Standard 4. Competences of the graduated students Standard 5. Curriculum Standard 6. Quality, modernity and international compliance Standard 7. Admission of students Standard 8. Grading and advancement of students Standard 9. Teaching staff Standard 10. Organization and material resources Standard 11. Quality control Standard 12. Distance learning courses HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ACCREDITATION STANDARDS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS Standard 1. Basic goals and objectives of higher education institution Standard 2. Planning and control Standard 3. Organization and administration Standard 4. Studies Standard 5. Science research and artistic work Standard 6. Teaching staff Standard 7. Non-teaching staff Standard 8. Students Standard 9. Premises and equipment Standard 10. Library, textbooks and IT support Standard 11. Sources of funds Standard 12. Internal mechanisms for quality assurance Standard 13. Transparency DOCTORAL STUDIES ACCREDITATION STANDARDS FORSTUDY PROGRAM OF DOCTORAL STUDIES Special standard - Competence of the higher education institution to carry out the doctoral studies Standard 1. Study program structure Standard 2. Study program goals Standard 3. Study program objectives Standard 4. Competence of graduated students Standard 5. Curriculum Standard 6. Quality, modernity and international compliance of study program Standard 7. Admission of students Standard 8. Grading and advancement of students Standard 9. Teaching staff Standard 10. Organizational and material resources Standard 11. Quality control

The accreditation request supported by the data and documents ОДЛУКА О АКРЕДИТАЦИЈИ The accreditation procedure The Commission form sub-commission The Commission, at the proposal by sub- commission, designate two reviewers The reviewer report to the sub-commission The sub-commission finalize the draft report for accreditation The sub-commission Visit institution- report The Commission The accreditation decision accept the accreditation request and grant the Accreditation Certificate reject the accreditation postpone decision on accreditation complain to the National Council of Higher Education 1 2

Institutions of higher education in Serbia achieve accreditation from Commision for Accreditation and Quallity Assurance CAQA The Law on Higher Education “Službeni glasnik 76/2005” the accreditaton of all Institutions of higher education in Serbia should be finished to the june By virtue of Article 116., item 1. of the Law on Higher Education, the accreditaton of all Institutions of higher education in Serbia should be finished to the june Institutions of higher education 250 Institutions of higher education >1500 study programs All higher education institutions in the Republic of Serbia and their respective study programs shall be subject to the procedure for accreditation.

It leads to formal external recognition of quality, which is important not only with regard to recognition of credits and degrees and with regard to funding, but also in acquiring legitimacy in the higher education system, towards other institutions, towards employers and other stake-holders, and towards students and the general public. As institutions increasingly gain autonomy, external accreditation is seen as an affirmation of the self-regulating capacity of institutions. Of course, accreditation also has important benefits for institutions and programmes themselves.