ENCHASE “ENHANCING ALBANIAN SYSTEM OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION: APPLICATION OF THE PROCESS AND OUTCOME BASED METHODOLOGY ”

Focus: Increasing and improvement of external and internal quality indicators on Higher Education Institutions, as one of the most important aspects that aim to bring teaching system and the the services provided by The Albanian higher education system» with similar institutions in Europe. ENCHASE

WP1 - ESG aligned National Quality Assurance Framework (months 1-16) The aim of this work package is to create a framework for providing external and internal quality of Albanian HEIs aiming to increase the capacity of existing structures and concrete elements for measuring the quality of these institutions. This can be accomplished only thanks to the fruitful cooperation of the Albanian HEIs with PAAHE, MAS and cooperation between the two last European universities partners in this project.

WP1 - ESG aligned National Quality Assurance Framework (months 1-16). 1.1 Design a national quality framework Creating a steering Committee representatives from PAAHE MAS Albanian HEIs and European partners. 1.2 Development of a IQA framework Improved Structure and human resources in order to IQA. 1.3 The restructuring of IQA framework Review of the current framework and Reviewing of unit manual for its proper functioning.

WP2 - Building capacities of the staff involved on IQA (month 1-16). 2.1 Training package Training package by QANU, CESIE and EU experts to create a quality assurance system based on results 2.2 Training of stakeholders involved Training on UKOLD of personnel engaged in quality assurance. Training for the other 20 IQA members after returning to university. 2.3 Capacity building in IQAU - Purchase of equipment for IQAU; - Preparation of documentation on which will be based policies, procedures, job descriptions, strategic development plans and financing.

WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES. BENCHMARKING REPORT – IQA On University - a.Functional units, handbooks and supporting documentation for quality assurance; b.Current IQA standards in the national quality assurance; c.Expectations of each University by ENCHASE; the direct impact area of this project in IQA. Discussions about benchmark reports; Short summaries about positive and negative experiences of the analysis of the IQA within the reports; Albanian HEIs need to change their standpoint regarding the IQA (by a process control in an element to increase their competitiveness on the HEIs market in the country) SWOT analysis of the IQA.

Benchmark Reports Redesigning highlighted: - Concrete elements of quality assurance in the fields and directions in which the need to focus attention and possible remedies to measure these indicators. - IQAU Functions as a coordinating unit in the organization of IQA. (including the management of IT, human resources, student career, labor market, collecting and analyzing data about research, etc.) WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES

HEIs defined compliance, enforcement and the need to adapt one of seven quality standards of the European Framework for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. - Questionnaire with Albanian partners; Review of legal procedures related with indicators of European standards Framework; Communication with the authorities of the institution to determine the current level of compliance; Stripping out the elements that do not fit. Compliance Standards of European Framework for Quality Assurance ESG 1.2 – Quality indicators for approval, monitoring and review of programs of study. - Lack of prior studies of the labor market; - Lack of external study programs expertise; - Lack of specific tools for measuring learning outcomes; - Lack of awareness of the academic staff for periodic review and programs updating to the needs of the labor market.

WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES - Mission, Vision, and human resources structure IQA are determined; - Study programs have full information relevant regulations (objectives, employment opportunities, evaluation forms, criteria and rules for the protection transfers the subject exam diploma or training) and are also available online to interested parties; - Infrastructure available to the teaching activities and learning within and outside auditor is on required standards; - Good functioning of information systems; - Increased involvement of IQAU promotion of activities related to quality and its main actors within the University - creation of «the culture of quality». Report II - Benchmark ACHIEVEMENTS / IMPROVEMENTS

WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES -Awareness and involvement of students in the IQA process; -Continuing involvement of stakeholders on issues related not only to the labor market, but also restructuring the curricula, specialization students, the practical application of academic knowledge, etc. -Increasing the number of applications for student mobility; custody services; development of support programs for weak students with outstanding achievements; involvement of students in scientific activity; creating links between students and graduates, etc. -Maintaining links with Alumni; -Including IQAU on the Strategic Plan development of the University as a HEIs. -Lack of mechanisms for continuous training of academic staff. Report II - Benchmark FURTHER INTERFERENCE ASPECTS

WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES  VISION To establish a University academic context that meets the standards of the National Framework of Quality Assurance. - The concept of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA); - IQA processes; - Vision, Mission, Structures and Functions of IQA; IQAU Manual Restructuring MISSION To build a sustainable system of structures, of human resources and of key performance indicators, which assist the continuous improvement of the University quality.

WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES - Internal quality assessment - self evaluation - Enterprises quality improvement; - IQAU Staff respective tasks; - IQA tools and mechanisms; - Strategies based on an action plan; - Definition of key performance Indicators IQAU Manual Restructuring

WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES IQAU Manual Restructuring Aim Operational Goals What will we do? Who will do it? When? (milestone s / dates) What is the cost? (make a difference between available and necessary costs Possible barriers (Who could oppose this? How?) Render all administrative structures at the university aware of the role they have in the IQA Increase the involvement of the members of the IQA units in monitoring the Faculty academic activity Train the staff with possible intervention issues IQA Unit internal and external experts The actual staff performs their role as part of their volunteer contribution to the university activity; shortage of available time for the IQA activities. - Financial constrains on the behalf of the university. - Chance of staff withdraw possibility. Increase the number of the full time IQA staff Rectorate Shortage of qualified applicants. - Unwillingness of the Ministry of Education and Sport to approve increase of the fulltime personnel. Involve external specialists expertize in the IQA processes Rectorate Financial shortcomings

WP1 – WP2 ACTIVITIES. Below expectations: Need to switch from an overall framework in concrete elements for measuring quality. Highlighting discrepancies within each ESG Albanian IQA. Need to get reaction PAAHE MAS and European partners about Benchmark Reports and IQAU, and the concretization of its practical functions.

ENCHASE The project touches a sensitive point for the current phase in which a higher education institutions in Albania. Thanks to the experience we have shared so far about IQA with Albanian University institutional representatives or responsible for, HEIs themselves could benefit elements that need awareness that quality assurance should not be done simply for the sake of control and accreditation. In this view current activities could highlight the gap Albanian HEIs have in the structure and tools for measuring quality assurance.

ENCHASE We are hoping that this meeting will give its contribution at best this an ongoing THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION!