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1 Internal Quality Assurance Framework of Yerevan State University in the Context of European Standards and Guidelines 2 Establishment of internal quality assurance system (IQA) in Yerevan State University (YSU) in accordance with the requirements of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) started in 2007. The YSU IQA framework consists of six components: 1. Quality assurance (QA) of study programmes; 2. QA of teaching staff; 3. QA of learning resources and support services; 4. Transparent student assessment system; 5. Internal information systems; 6. Public information. 3 Brief description of the YSU IQA framework POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE Principles relating to the safeguarding of academic standards are as follows: - Standards are at an appropriate level for the qualification, identified by the qualification framework (QF) of European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and/or National QF; - Standards satisfy the requirements of relevant governmental, professional & statutory bodies and similar organizations; - Standards are regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure their currency and relevance; - Principles underpinning aims, learning outcomes, teaching, learning and assessment are defined in the Methodological Guidelines for Development of YSU Educational Programmes (approved by YSU Academic Council in October, 2010); - Feedback of recognized independent external experts is sought when standards are established, monitored or reviewed. 4 Principles relating to the assurance of quality are as follows:
- The quality of student learning experience meets the requirements of the relevant academic standard and programme specification; - Quality assurance is informed by robust programme design, approval, annual monitoring, and periodic (6-year) review, student and graduate feedback processes; - Students are involved in the processes of programme monitoring and review; - The views of external assessors are taken into account when the quality of programmes is reviewed; - Assurance activities focus more on areas where there is a risk of quality decline.
5 Principles relating to the enhancement of quality are as follows: - Measures of the quality of the student experience are established and regularly monitored; - Where possible, such measures will be based upon already existing data sets, such as those derived from quality monitoring reports, student/graduate/employer feedbacks, and graduates employment statistics etc. 6 The YSU IQA strategy is stated in ³YSU Strategic Development Plan for 2010-2014´ To introduce an internal quality assurance system in line with the requirements of European Standards and Guidelines. To accomplish this objective the following strategies are envisaged in the Plan: 1. To create a new YSU IQA policy that includes continual quality enhancement strategy, appropriate procedures, organizational structures and identifies the roles and responsibilities of administrative and academic structures of the University. 2. To develop self-assessment criteria for the main performance areas of the University based on the standards of international accreditation organizations and National Quality Assurance Center of Professional Education. 3. To undertake and implement a self-assessment/self-study of the YSU academic activities with publication of the report, which will serve as a basis for external QA/accreditation processes and development of appropriate quality enhancement measures. To prepare the University for external evaluation/accreditation processes. 4. To develop and introduce new learning outcomes-based educational standards for YSU Bachelor¶s and Master¶s degree programmes based on the Qualification Framework of EHEA and international subject-benchmark statements.
5. To create internal regulations, guidelines and procedures for development, approval, routine monitoring and periodic review of YSU study programmes, to adopt criteria for assessment of programme needs in teaching and learning resources. 6. To create and publish criteria, regulations and procedures for impartial assessment of student learning outcomes, which includes appropriate appeal and complaint mechanisms, and to ensure their publicity and consistent application. 7. To create and publish mechanisms and criteria for assessment of professional competences and teaching skills of YSU teaching staff. 8. To develop a set of internal information, which is required for the effective management of study programmes and educational processes. 9. To ensure transparency and publicity of the criteria for internal quality evaluation, the self-assessment process and appropriate report to the internal and external stakeholders of the University, as well as student participation and feedback in QA processes. 7 APPROVAL, MONITORING AND PERIODIC REVIEW OF PROGRAMMES AND AWARDS YSU has developed and adopted several formal mechanisms in the forms of guidelines, regulations, procedures, criteria, etc., These mechanisms are as follows: 1. Methodological Guidelines for Development of YSU Study Programmes According to the resolution of YSU Academic Council all YSU Bachelor¶s and Master's degree programmes will be developed so as to ensure main principles stated in the Guidelines, starting from 2nd semester of 2010/11 AY. 2. Regulations for Approval of YSU Study Programmes. These Regulations are ensuring involvement of all internal and external stakeholders in the authorization, validation and approval activities of YSU study programmes. 3. The development of the Guidelines and Procedures for YSU Programme Monitoring and Review. The Guidelines are expected to be approved by YSU Academic Council in May, 2011; 4. Other official documents related to development of YSU study programmes include: ³Structure and content of YSU credit-based bachelor¶s degree programmes´ (for full-time and correspondent/part-time studies); ³Structure and content of YSU credit-based master¶s degree programmes´ (for fulltime and correspondent/part-time studies);
8 1. ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS
³Students should be assessed using published criteria, regulations and procedures which are applied consistently´. In 2007 YSU revised and upgraded its student assessment methods and regulations in order to comply with the nature of the adopted ECTS credit system, which assumes continuing assessment of students, including the work they do outside of classroom, as well as with the requirements of ESGs. The YSU student assessment methods/procedures (i.e., examinations, oral quizzes, etc.) have the following characteristic features: 1. They have clear and publicly available criteria for making/giving grades; 2. They have clear, pre-defined examinations and other assessment methods (i.e., oral tests) in place; 3. They have clear regulations covering student absence, illness and other mitigating circumstances; 4. Examination regulations ensure that assessments are conducted securely in accordance with the University¶s stated procedures; 5. The administration checks that the assessment procedures are followed; 6. The assessment methods and criteria applied are publicly available, for example, via student handbooks, study guides, YSU website; 7. The teachers inform students about the applied assessment methods and criteria at the beginning of the course; 8. The final grade of examination is formed from the results of 2 interim writing exams, assessment of student class participation, and end-of-semester oral examination; 9. The student academic standing (performance) is expressed through GPA (grade point average), which is a credit-weighted mean of student grads in the semester. 9 QUALITY ASSURANCE OF TEACHING STAFF YSU has in place several procedures and regulations to make sure that the teaching staff is qualified and competent. The University has appropriate central structure - the YSU Extensions and Faculty Development Department, which provides programmes and services for staff development. Below is the list of staff QA related procedures and programmes: 1. There is an open competitive system of hiring (recruitment of) permanent teaching staff with prescribed qualification requirements for each sub-category of teaching staff position (professor, associate professor, assistant professor, lecturer); 2. There is a contract system for appointment of teaching staff, which specifies rights and duties/responsibilities of the University and contracting employee. The contract makes no provisions for procedures to remove a teacher from his/her duties if they continue to be demonstrably ineffective;
3. There is a performance evaluation for all permanent academic staff members through regular (on the semester-basis) student surveys. Introduction of the effective faculty performance management system, which comprises student feedback, faculty selfassessment and supervisor review is among the short-term priorities of YSU; 4. Information on teachers¶ aptitudes and performance (including results of student surveys) are used in merit based selection/re-selection process of the permanent teaching staff, as well as when differentiated allowances are fixed/assigned for teachers. 5. Compulsory (as well as optional) pedagogical training is organized for teachers by the YSU Extensions and Faculty Development Department. 6. YSU adopted a comprehensive credit-based staff development programme (approved by YSU Academic Council in November, 2010) for development of professional competences and teaching skills of YSU permanent teaching staff. The programme will be operating from 2011/12 AY.
10 LEARNING RESOURCES AND STUDENT SUPPORT ³Institutions should ensure that the resources available for the support of student learning are adequate and appropriate for each programme offered´. In order to meet the requirements of the appropriate ESG standard the following permanent activities are being done at the University: 1. The University library is regularly upgrading. 2. Computing facilities are permanently upgrading, so there is no urgent need in enlargement of this facilities; 3. There is a State (President-supported) programme for gradual upgrading of learning and research laboratory base of the University; 4. Methodological support-base of the educational process is being constantly improved; 5. Students are provided with the necessary information materials related to their study at YSU, i.e. student guidebooks, programme handbooks, assessment regulations, creditbased study regulations, etc; 6. There is a system of Academic Advisers (Counselors) which is not well-developed yet; 7. The Student Union and Student Career Center operate at the University; 8. The graduate satisfaction surveys conducted in YSU evaluate also satisfaction level of YSU graduates from University services and facilities;
11 INFORMATION SYSTEMS ³Institutions should ensure that they collect, analyse and use relevant information for the effective management of their programmes of study and other activities´. YSU does not have yet an overarching (centralized) information system (i.e. database) to be used for the management of its key activities. However, the University has a centralized, but non-integrated information system (data on different activities are not gathered in one data warehouse), where internal information is collected through several separate information subsystems: 1. Annual reports of YSU academic, research and administrative units (faculties, departments, research laboratories, educational centers, etc.) on their activities during the previews academic year; 2. The aggregated YSU annual performance report, which is discussed and approved by the YSU Council; 3. The reports of the evaluation panels on the results of occasional peer-reviews of faculty educational and research activities, which are discussed at both faculty and institutional levels; 4. The results of YSU graduates¶ satisfaction surveys conducted among all graduates of YSU Bachelor¶s and Master¶s degree programmes. The surveys allow to evaluate students¶ satisfaction level/learning experience distinguished by areas, such as: study programmes and their relevance to the needs of the labor market and to required professional competences; the effectiveness of the applied teaching, learning and assessment methods; quality of educational process organization; quality of student support services, computing and library facilities; the internal ethical/moral and psychological environment of the University, etc.; 5. The internal computer-aided system (SuperVision) for the input, processing and presentation of data on student progression (academic standing) and success rates. The system is used also for academic planning activities (e.g. estimating teaching staff workloads) and for processing the results of student surveys. 6. Recently introduced strategic planning process foresees application of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the University that will serve as an important tool for institutional self-evaluation and/or self-study. This set of KPIs consists of 83 indicators that measure YSU performance in six main areas, i.e.: admission and student body/population; educational/academic process; resources and administration; infrastructure/facilities; research and innovations; external affairs and international cooperation. Values of the KPIs for the last 5 years are identified and presented in the YSU KPYs booklet, which is published on biannual basis;
7. Regular collection and analysis of data on profile of the student population (age, gender, educational background, socio-economic background, etc.).
12 PUBLIC INFORMATION The information that is publicly available about YSU study programmes includes: 1. The Guide for YSU Applicant (with CD version), which includes brief information on admission requirements and regulations, study programmes offered by YSU faculties, admission figures and threshold grades by study programmes and modes of study, etc.; 2. YSU First-year Student Information Package, which includes first-year student¶s guide, rights and responsibilities of the student, information on YSU administrative and academic structures, the campus map, the handbooks of the YSU Career Center and Alumni Union, and other relevant information; 3. The Credit-based Study Handbook & Course Catalog for Bachelor¶s and Master¶s degree programme students (published on yearly basis), which contains all the necessary for students¶ learning information, particularly: key features of ECTS; regulations on organization of learning process and student assessment; the structure, content and intended learning outcomes of study programmes offered; the intended learning outcomes and credit-values of programme component courses/educational modules; information on the teaching, learning and assessment procedures used within the programme; etc.; 4. The published annual report of the YSU Rector, which includes detailed information on both academic and research activities; 5. The YSU annual financial report; 6. Statistics on the students currently involved in the programmes (number, profile of the student population, etc.); 7. The YSU Web-site, publications or other information materials. 13 Defining the university mission and identifying the underlying processes within each dimension the university engages in. The mission of YSU Yerevan State University is an autonomous educational and scientific-cultural institution with national and regional responsibility, the main mission of which is to create knowledge, transfer and disseminate it within the framework of state strategy of education development. Based on the principles of state policy for education, the University promotes the development of
intellectual and personal qualities of its students and lecturers, and contributes to the rise of economic, social and cultural welfare of the society. The priority goals of YSU are the development of Armenology, humanities, social-economic and natural sciences and culture, carrying out basic research in various fields. The University always seeks excellence and innovation in teaching, research and public services. As an important component of its mission, the University seeks to become a studentcentred educational environment, which prepares its graduates for an active role in public life and for leadership, a professional career and lifelong learning in line with the current requirements of globalized economy and labour market. YSU mission targets teaching and learning. research and development. services to society.
14 STRATEGIC GOAL 1. QUALITY EDUCATION ³To become one of the leading universities in the region, to insure high educational standards and to enable students to fully realize their potential by providing flexible study programs meeting today¶s requirements´. Main Objectives: y y y y y Implement revision of structure and contents of the study programs in line with current international curricula standards and requirements of the employment market. Introduce internal quality assurance system in accordance with the requirements of European standards. Ensure extended application of the credit system in all University educational programs and study modes. Create favourable conditions and supportive mechanisms for substantial improvement of the teaching, learning and assessment processes. Ensure extended and effective utilization of information technologies in the teaching and learning process of the University.
15 STRATEGIC GOAL 2. QUALITY RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONS
To maximize the application of University¶s research potential in enhancing the economic development and public welfare processes by creating canters of excellence in priority research fields, and encourage active involvement of teaching staff in research activities.
Main Objectives: y y y y Create prerequisites and supportive mechanisms for substantial growth of research activities and broader engagement of teaching staff and students in research projects. Stimulate the development of University-Industry research collaboration; create an innovation infrastructure for research activities to commercialize research outputs. Promote internationalization processes of the University¶s research activities; ensure integration of the University in European Research Area. Reconstruct University postgraduate studies as a 3rd cycle of higher education in compliance with the requirements of European Qualifications Framework.
16 STRATEGIC GOAL 3. Community Involvement and Services To sustain the intellectual, educational, economic, scientific and cultural progression of the society, thus promoting recognition of the University, its activities and external support. Main Objectives: y Ensure further development of interaction with the society and broader involvement of the University in community programs.
Develop lifelong learning system in the University in line with the social demand
17 Planning practical steps for the university quality assurance departments¶ organising. University QA and Control Department It employs Head of Department and 4 Officers In 2010 YSU formulated and adopted new IQA policy, which meets main requirements of ESG Standards #1 and #2 for IQA. The aims of the YSU QA policy are safeguarding of YSU academic standards, assurance and enhancement of quality of all YSU awards. Principles are related to the safeguarding of academic standards to the assurance of quality to the enhancement of quality
18 YSU strategic plan for internal quality assurance (2011-2015). The YSU IQA strategy is stated in ³YSU Strategic Development Plan for 2010-2014´ (Goal I, Objective 2: To introduce an internal quality assurance system in line with the requirements of European Standards and Guidelines). To accomplish this objective the following strategies are envisaged in the Plan: To create a new YSU IQA policy that includes continual quality enhancement strategy, appropriate procedures, organizational structures and identifies the roles and responsibilities of administrative and academic structures of the University. To develop self-assessment criteria for the main performance areas of the University based on the standards of international accreditation organizations and National Quality Assurance Center of Professional Education. To undertake and implement a self-assessment/self-study of the YSU academic activities with publication of the report, which will serve as a basis for external QA/accreditation processes and development of appropriate quality enhancement measures. To prepare the University for the external evaluation/accreditation processes. To develop and introduce new learning outcomes-based educational standards for YSU Bachelor¶s and Master¶s degree programmes based on the Qualification Framework of EHEA and international subject-benchmark statements. To create internal regulations, guidelines and procedures for development, approval, routine monitoring and periodic review of YSU study programmes, to adopt criteria for assessment of programme needs in teaching and learning resources. To create and publish criteria, regulations and procedures for impartial assessment of student learning outcomes, which includes appropriate appeal and complaint mechanisms, and to ensure their publicity and consistent application. To create and publish mechanisms and criteria for assessment of professional competences and teaching skills of YSU teaching staff. To develop a set of internal information, which is required for the effective management of study programmes and educational processes? To ensure transparency and publicity of the criteria for internal quality evaluation, the selfassessment process and appropriate report to the internal and external stakeholders of the University, as well as student participation and feedback in QA processes.
- The quality of student learning experience meets the requirements of the relevant academic standard and programme specification; - Quality assurance is informed by robust programme design, approval, annual monitoring, and periodic (6-year) review, student and graduate feedback processes; - Students are involved in the processes of programme monitoring and review; - The views of external assessors are taken into account when the quality of programmes is reviewed; - Assurance activities focus more on areas where there is a risk of quality decline.
5 Principles relating to the enhancement of quality are as follows: - Measures of the quality of the student experience are established and regularly monitored; - Where possible, such measures will be based upon already existing data sets, such as those derived from quality monitoring reports, student/graduate/employer feedbacks, and graduates employment statistics etc. 6 The YSU IQA strategy is stated in ³YSU Strategic Development Plan for 2010-2014´ To introduce an internal quality assurance system in line with the requirements of European Standards and Guidelines. To accomplish this objective the following strategies are envisaged in the Plan: 1. To create a new YSU IQA policy that includes continual quality enhancement strategy, appropriate procedures, organizational structures and identifies the roles and responsibilities of administrative and academic structures of the University. 2. To develop self-assessment criteria for the main performance areas of the University based on the standards of international accreditation organizations and National Quality Assurance Center of Professional Education. 3. To undertake and implement a self-assessment/self-study of the YSU academic activities with publication of the report, which will serve as a basis for external QA/accreditation processes and development of appropriate quality enhancement measures. To prepare the University for external evaluation/accreditation processes. 4. To develop and introduce new learning outcomes-based educational standards for YSU Bachelor¶s and Master¶s degree programmes based on the Qualification Framework of EHEA and international subject-benchmark statements.
5. To create internal regulations, guidelines and procedures for development, approval, routine monitoring and periodic review of YSU study programmes, to adopt criteria for assessment of programme needs in teaching and learning resources. 6. To create and publish criteria, regulations and procedures for impartial assessment of student learning outcomes, which includes appropriate appeal and complaint mechanisms, and to ensure their publicity and consistent application. 7. To create and publish mechanisms and criteria for assessment of professional competences and teaching skills of YSU teaching staff. 8. To develop a set of internal information, which is required for the effective management of study programmes and educational processes. 9. To ensure transparency and publicity of the criteria for internal quality evaluation, the self-assessment process and appropriate report to the internal and external stakeholders of the University, as well as student participation and feedback in QA processes. 7 APPROVAL, MONITORING AND PERIODIC REVIEW OF PROGRAMMES AND AWARDS YSU has developed and adopted several formal mechanisms in the forms of guidelines, regulations, procedures, criteria, etc., These mechanisms are as follows: 1. Methodological Guidelines for Development of YSU Study Programmes According to the resolution of YSU Academic Council all YSU Bachelor¶s and Master's degree programmes will be developed so as to ensure main principles stated in the Guidelines, starting from 2nd semester of 2010/11 AY. 2. Regulations for Approval of YSU Study Programmes. These Regulations are ensuring involvement of all internal and external stakeholders in the authorization, validation and approval activities of YSU study programmes. 3. The development of the Guidelines and Procedures for YSU Programme Monitoring and Review. The Guidelines are expected to be approved by YSU Academic Council in May, 2011; 4. Other official documents related to development of YSU study programmes include: ³Structure and content of YSU credit-based bachelor¶s degree programmes´ (for full-time and correspondent/part-time studies); ³Structure and content of YSU credit-based master¶s degree programmes´ (for fulltime and correspondent/part-time studies);
8 1. ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS
³Students should be assessed using published criteria, regulations and procedures which are applied consistently´. In 2007 YSU revised and upgraded its student assessment methods and regulations in order to comply with the nature of the adopted ECTS credit system, which assumes continuing assessment of students, including the work they do outside of classroom, as well as with the requirements of ESGs. The YSU student assessment methods/procedures (i.e., examinations, oral quizzes, etc.) have the following characteristic features: 1. They have clear and publicly available criteria for making/giving grades; 2. They have clear, pre-defined examinations and other assessment methods (i.e., oral tests) in place; 3. They have clear regulations covering student absence, illness and other mitigating circumstances; 4. Examination regulations ensure that assessments are conducted securely in accordance with the University¶s stated procedures; 5. The administration checks that the assessment procedures are followed; 6. The assessment methods and criteria applied are publicly available, for example, via student handbooks, study guides, YSU website; 7. The teachers inform students about the applied assessment methods and criteria at the beginning of the course; 8. The final grade of examination is formed from the results of 2 interim writing exams, assessment of student class participation, and end-of-semester oral examination; 9. The student academic standing (performance) is expressed through GPA (grade point average), which is a credit-weighted mean of student grads in the semester. 9 QUALITY ASSURANCE OF TEACHING STAFF YSU has in place several procedures and regulations to make sure that the teaching staff is qualified and competent. The University has appropriate central structure - the YSU Extensions and Faculty Development Department, which provides programmes and services for staff development. Below is the list of staff QA related procedures and programmes: 1. There is an open competitive system of hiring (recruitment of) permanent teaching staff with prescribed qualification requirements for each sub-category of teaching staff position (professor, associate professor, assistant professor, lecturer); 2. There is a contract system for appointment of teaching staff, which specifies rights and duties/responsibilities of the University and contracting employee. The contract makes no provisions for procedures to remove a teacher from his/her duties if they continue to be demonstrably ineffective;
3. There is a performance evaluation for all permanent academic staff members through regular (on the semester-basis) student surveys. Introduction of the effective faculty performance management system, which comprises student feedback, faculty selfassessment and supervisor review is among the short-term priorities of YSU; 4. Information on teachers¶ aptitudes and performance (including results of student surveys) are used in merit based selection/re-selection process of the permanent teaching staff, as well as when differentiated allowances are fixed/assigned for teachers. 5. Compulsory (as well as optional) pedagogical training is organized for teachers by the YSU Extensions and Faculty Development Department. 6. YSU adopted a comprehensive credit-based staff development programme (approved by YSU Academic Council in November, 2010) for development of professional competences and teaching skills of YSU permanent teaching staff. The programme will be operating from 2011/12 AY.
10 LEARNING RESOURCES AND STUDENT SUPPORT ³Institutions should ensure that the resources available for the support of student learning are adequate and appropriate for each programme offered´. In order to meet the requirements of the appropriate ESG standard the following permanent activities are being done at the University: 1. The University library is regularly upgrading. 2. Computing facilities are permanently upgrading, so there is no urgent need in enlargement of this facilities; 3. There is a State (President-supported) programme for gradual upgrading of learning and research laboratory base of the University; 4. Methodological support-base of the educational process is being constantly improved; 5. Students are provided with the necessary information materials related to their study at YSU, i.e. student guidebooks, programme handbooks, assessment regulations, creditbased study regulations, etc; 6. There is a system of Academic Advisers (Counselors) which is not well-developed yet; 7. The Student Union and Student Career Center operate at the University; 8. The graduate satisfaction surveys conducted in YSU evaluate also satisfaction level of YSU graduates from University services and facilities;
11 INFORMATION SYSTEMS ³Institutions should ensure that they collect, analyse and use relevant information for the effective management of their programmes of study and other activities´. YSU does not have yet an overarching (centralized) information system (i.e. database) to be used for the management of its key activities. However, the University has a centralized, but non-integrated information system (data on different activities are not gathered in one data warehouse), where internal information is collected through several separate information subsystems: 1. Annual reports of YSU academic, research and administrative units (faculties, departments, research laboratories, educational centers, etc.) on their activities during the previews academic year; 2. The aggregated YSU annual performance report, which is discussed and approved by the YSU Council; 3. The reports of the evaluation panels on the results of occasional peer-reviews of faculty educational and research activities, which are discussed at both faculty and institutional levels; 4. The results of YSU graduates¶ satisfaction surveys conducted among all graduates of YSU Bachelor¶s and Master¶s degree programmes. The surveys allow to evaluate students¶ satisfaction level/learning experience distinguished by areas, such as: study programmes and their relevance to the needs of the labor market and to required professional competences; the effectiveness of the applied teaching, learning and assessment methods; quality of educational process organization; quality of student support services, computing and library facilities; the internal ethical/moral and psychological environment of the University, etc.; 5. The internal computer-aided system (SuperVision) for the input, processing and presentation of data on student progression (academic standing) and success rates. The system is used also for academic planning activities (e.g. estimating teaching staff workloads) and for processing the results of student surveys. 6. Recently introduced strategic planning process foresees application of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the University that will serve as an important tool for institutional self-evaluation and/or self-study. This set of KPIs consists of 83 indicators that measure YSU performance in six main areas, i.e.: admission and student body/population; educational/academic process; resources and administration; infrastructure/facilities; research and innovations; external affairs and international cooperation. Values of the KPIs for the last 5 years are identified and presented in the YSU KPYs booklet, which is published on biannual basis;
7. Regular collection and analysis of data on profile of the student population (age, gender, educational background, socio-economic background, etc.).
12 PUBLIC INFORMATION The information that is publicly available about YSU study programmes includes: 1. The Guide for YSU Applicant (with CD version), which includes brief information on admission requirements and regulations, study programmes offered by YSU faculties, admission figures and threshold grades by study programmes and modes of study, etc.; 2. YSU First-year Student Information Package, which includes first-year student¶s guide, rights and responsibilities of the student, information on YSU administrative and academic structures, the campus map, the handbooks of the YSU Career Center and Alumni Union, and other relevant information; 3. The Credit-based Study Handbook & Course Catalog for Bachelor¶s and Master¶s degree programme students (published on yearly basis), which contains all the necessary for students¶ learning information, particularly: key features of ECTS; regulations on organization of learning process and student assessment; the structure, content and intended learning outcomes of study programmes offered; the intended learning outcomes and credit-values of programme component courses/educational modules; information on the teaching, learning and assessment procedures used within the programme; etc.; 4. The published annual report of the YSU Rector, which includes detailed information on both academic and research activities; 5. The YSU annual financial report; 6. Statistics on the students currently involved in the programmes (number, profile of the student population, etc.); 7. The YSU Web-site, publications or other information materials. 13 Defining the university mission and identifying the underlying processes within each dimension the university engages in. The mission of YSU Yerevan State University is an autonomous educational and scientific-cultural institution with national and regional responsibility, the main mission of which is to create knowledge, transfer and disseminate it within the framework of state strategy of education development. Based on the principles of state policy for education, the University promotes the development of
intellectual and personal qualities of its students and lecturers, and contributes to the rise of economic, social and cultural welfare of the society. The priority goals of YSU are the development of Armenology, humanities, social-economic and natural sciences and culture, carrying out basic research in various fields. The University always seeks excellence and innovation in teaching, research and public services. As an important component of its mission, the University seeks to become a studentcentred educational environment, which prepares its graduates for an active role in public life and for leadership, a professional career and lifelong learning in line with the current requirements of globalized economy and labour market. YSU mission targets teaching and learning. research and development. services to society.
14 STRATEGIC GOAL 1. QUALITY EDUCATION ³To become one of the leading universities in the region, to insure high educational standards and to enable students to fully realize their potential by providing flexible study programs meeting today¶s requirements´. Main Objectives: y y y y y Implement revision of structure and contents of the study programs in line with current international curricula standards and requirements of the employment market. Introduce internal quality assurance system in accordance with the requirements of European standards. Ensure extended application of the credit system in all University educational programs and study modes. Create favourable conditions and supportive mechanisms for substantial improvement of the teaching, learning and assessment processes. Ensure extended and effective utilization of information technologies in the teaching and learning process of the University.
15 STRATEGIC GOAL 2. QUALITY RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONS
To maximize the application of University¶s research potential in enhancing the economic development and public welfare processes by creating canters of excellence in priority research fields, and encourage active involvement of teaching staff in research activities.
Main Objectives: y y y y Create prerequisites and supportive mechanisms for substantial growth of research activities and broader engagement of teaching staff and students in research projects. Stimulate the development of University-Industry research collaboration; create an innovation infrastructure for research activities to commercialize research outputs. Promote internationalization processes of the University¶s research activities; ensure integration of the University in European Research Area. Reconstruct University postgraduate studies as a 3rd cycle of higher education in compliance with the requirements of European Qualifications Framework.
16 STRATEGIC GOAL 3. Community Involvement and Services To sustain the intellectual, educational, economic, scientific and cultural progression of the society, thus promoting recognition of the University, its activities and external support. Main Objectives: y Ensure further development of interaction with the society and broader involvement of the University in community programs.
Develop lifelong learning system in the University in line with the social demand
17 Planning practical steps for the university quality assurance departments¶ organising. University QA and Control Department It employs Head of Department and 4 Officers In 2010 YSU formulated and adopted new IQA policy, which meets main requirements of ESG Standards #1 and #2 for IQA. The aims of the YSU QA policy are safeguarding of YSU academic standards, assurance and enhancement of quality of all YSU awards. Principles are related to the safeguarding of academic standards to the assurance of quality to the enhancement of quality
18 YSU strategic plan for internal quality assurance (2011-2015). The YSU IQA strategy is stated in ³YSU Strategic Development Plan for 2010-2014´ (Goal I, Objective 2: To introduce an internal quality assurance system in line with the requirements of European Standards and Guidelines). To accomplish this objective the following strategies are envisaged in the Plan: To create a new YSU IQA policy that includes continual quality enhancement strategy, appropriate procedures, organizational structures and identifies the roles and responsibilities of administrative and academic structures of the University. To develop self-assessment criteria for the main performance areas of the University based on the standards of international accreditation organizations and National Quality Assurance Center of Professional Education. To undertake and implement a self-assessment/self-study of the YSU academic activities with publication of the report, which will serve as a basis for external QA/accreditation processes and development of appropriate quality enhancement measures. To prepare the University for the external evaluation/accreditation processes. To develop and introduce new learning outcomes-based educational standards for YSU Bachelor¶s and Master¶s degree programmes based on the Qualification Framework of EHEA and international subject-benchmark statements. To create internal regulations, guidelines and procedures for development, approval, routine monitoring and periodic review of YSU study programmes, to adopt criteria for assessment of programme needs in teaching and learning resources. To create and publish criteria, regulations and procedures for impartial assessment of student learning outcomes, which includes appropriate appeal and complaint mechanisms, and to ensure their publicity and consistent application. To create and publish mechanisms and criteria for assessment of professional competences and teaching skills of YSU teaching staff. To develop a set of internal information, which is required for the effective management of study programmes and educational processes? To ensure transparency and publicity of the criteria for internal quality evaluation, the selfassessment process and appropriate report to the internal and external stakeholders of the University, as well as student participation and feedback in QA processes.
