Brussels, 17/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Over the last 10 years, experts have witnessed a growing increase in quality assurance (QA) requirements in higher education in Europe. The European University Association (EUA) has published a new study analysing implementation of the different schemes in universities under way in which these are carried out. This study was carried out in 222 educational establishments in 36 countries. According to one of the authors of the report, Tia Loukkola, “this report underlines the remarkable progress made in Quality Assurance in recent years… the overwhelming majority of European universities now have fundamental policies, structures and processes in place”. Improvements, nonetheless, must be made. In 2005, European education ministers decided to establish standard norms and guidelines, as part of the Bologna Process, to help develop quality assurance in higher education.
The study revealed that: 1) The Bologna Process and subsequent changes in national frameworks have promoted a growing awareness and insights into the need for QA in teaching and learning; 2) Remarkable progress has been made in QA in recent years. QA systems are now largely in place across Europe, although their development in the current format is a recent phenomenon. 93% of institutions surveyed have created a document, which tackles the issue of quality/quality assurance; 3) A wide range of organisational structures for implementing QA exist. Most commonly (64% of cases) the rector or vice rector has direct responsibility for QA issues within universities. In terms of supporting structures, 62% of respondents have a centralised QA unit with specialised staff; 4) Participation of staff and students is a key principle in developing both a quality culture and QA processes; 5) External actors (employees, experts) are mainly involved in the process but the level and the kind of participation varies; 6) Universities have developed a specific model but this is largely subject to national recommendations; 7) More than 90% of institutions declare that they have achieved results following implementation of the framework but few of them have made these results public.
In conclusion, the report makes three recommendations. Higher education establishments must be encouraged to adopt or strengthen the targeted approach on quality assurance rather than seeking to
comply with external criteria. They must also develop feedback systems that help use the results accomplished for strategic planning processes. Finally, student participation in the quality process must become
more widespread. (I.L./transl.fl)