TEMPUS - Trans-European Mobility Scheme for University Studies Structural Measures Project (SM) 159165-TEMPUS-SY-TEMPUS-SMGR SY SMGR Accreditation Pathway to Quality Assurance -Aim, Outcomes and Implementation Procedures- Dr. Thomas Teuscher 04-02-201002 2010
First Project Meeting with Syrian Partners Rida Said Center, 04-01-2010 Topics of Meeting: Top 1 Present and discuss project details. Top 2 Present and discuss implementation ti procedures and tasks. Top 3 Goal, duration and date/dates of first meeting with European partners.
Top 1 Present and Discuss Project Details (1) General information on Structural Measures projects: Objectives, conditions and regulations. (2) Project aim and outcomes of SM Accreditation. (3) Project consortium.
(1) General Information on SM Projects: Two Types of Projects National Projects: National projects must adhere to national priorities. iti At least three Higher Education (HE) institutions from a partner country. At least three HE institutions from EU, each from a different EU Member State. Multi-country Projects: Multi-country projects must comply with regional priorities. Two HE partners in each partner country.
Two principal Instruments with different Objectives for Cooperation through TEMPUS Joint Projects (JEP) Projects with a bottom-up approach aiming at modernization and reform on an institutional or departmental level. Structural Measures (SM) Projects seeking to contribute to the development and reform of higher education systems in partner countries on a national level.
Additional Condition for Structural Measures Projects The Ministry/Ministries i i t i of Higher Education in the partner country/countries must be involved as partner/partners in a Structural Measures Project.
Objectives of SM Projects Project Objectives: Enhance the quality of higher education structures and systems in partner countries. Increase the convergence with EU developments. Provide support to networks of higher education institutions i i or to national or ministerial i i working groups on higher education reform.
Eligible Activities and Outcomes of TEMPUS Projects (JEP+SM) Activities and outcomes are geared to benefit the partner countries, their higher education institutions and systems. The role of the EU Member State institutions is to contribute towards achieving these objectives. The needs of EU institutions do not feature in the project design.
Eligible and Non-Eligible SM Proposals Project objectives can target, for example, HE laws, policy, evaluation, accreditation at a national level. SM proposals p which mainly aim at an impact at institutional level without demonstrating that the project will have a nation-wide impact are not being selected.
Selection Criteria for SM Proposals Assessment by external independent experts. Criteria: How projects demonstrate that they will have an impact on the structure of the higher education system at the national level. Priority will be given to applications that involve a representative number of HE institutions from a partner country. The capacity and reputation of the involved HE institutions/networks, especially from EU.
Exclusion Criteria for JEP and SM Projects Applicants will not be granted financial assistance if they are subject to a conflict of interest.
Project Coordinator and Co-Beneficiaries The applicant institution is submitting a TEMPUS proposal on behalf of all partners. The applicant institution becomes the coordinator and the partners of the consortium will be the cobeneficiaries. The applicant institution is represented by a legal representative and a contact person.
Legal Project Representative Applicant Institution The applicant institution signs the grant agreement and is legally responsible for the administration of the TEMPUS grant in accordance with the plan presented in the application. The coordinator is responsible as well for supplying documents and information which are required under the agreement. For example, in the events of audits, for the administration and financial management of the grant, including financial guaranties, and timely payments to the co-beneficiaries..
(2) Project Aim and Outcomes of SM Accreditation Project Aim Establish internationally accepted accreditation criteria at pilot faculties of major public and private universities in Syria with the help of European universities and accreditation agencies.
Project Outcomes (1) Pre-university assessment in terms of entry qualifications (2) Self-evaluation documentation of selected study programs (3) Descriptors of national educational standards adapted from European and EU member qualification frameworks. (4) Guidelines and pilot models changed from input to outcome orientation for study programs, modular structures and quality assurance.
Project Outcomes (continued) (5) Accreditation candidacy. (6) Dissemination. (7) Sustainability. (8) Quality Control and Monitoring. (9) Management of the Project.
(3) Project Consortium Syrian Partners: Damascus University, it Grant holder Ministry of Higher Education Al Baath University it Aleppo University Tishreen University Arab International University (AIU) University of Science and Technology (JUST) University of Kalamoon (UOK)
Project Consortium (continued) European Project Partners: Martin-Luther th University it Halle-Wittenberg, Germany Karl-Franzens University Graz, Austria Dublin City University, it Ireland ACQUIN (Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute), te) Germany Austrian Accreditation Council, Austria Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad d y Acreditación (ANECA), Spain
Top 2 Present and Discuss Implementation Procedures and Tasks (1) Expected tasks of coordinator. (2) Expected tasks of co-beneficiaries. i i (3) Networking between Syrian university partners. (4) Role of Ministry i of Higher Education. (5) Work strategy with European partners.
(1) Expected Tasks of Coordinator Goal: To operationalize project implementation and achieve outcomes as presented in the application plan. Tasks (1 st year): Set-up a project coordination and management unit. Set-up a mechanism for project monitoring and quality control. Prepare action plan for the first project year. Prepare budget lines for each partner. Prepare first implementation report for the EU.
(2) Expected Tasks of Co-Beneficiaries Goal: Define starting positions, work force and approach Tasks (1st year): Set-up a project management unit. Select pilot faculties. Set-up work teams and work schedule. Set-up standards of self evaluation study. Set-up benchmarks and indicators. Identify required expertise and means of support from coordinator and European partners.
(3) Networking between Syrian partners: Approach and Sequence of Meetings Goal: Exchange existing experiences and assist partners in accomplishing their contributions ti Tasks: Define objectives and expected support. Create a mechanism for networking. Exchange and synthesize experience.
(4) Role of Ministry of Higher Education Goal: Integration of national qualification framework into the accreditation process of study programs Tasks: Indicate the reference level of qualifications for Bachelor, Master and PHD programs. Define descriptors for knowledge, skills, social competence and self-competence requirements. Define evaluation criteria for quality assurance. Define national accreditation procedures.
(5) Work Approach with European Partners Goal: Elaborate network strategy with EU partners Tasks: Define the work approach with EU Partners Screen the faculty profiles of partner universities. iti Identify professional networks with the European partners according to the pilot faculties. Select accreditation agencies as peer reviewers.
Top 3 Goal, Duration and Date/dates of first Meeting with European Partners Goal: Discuss and agree on means of support, study program specific project teams and work schedule for the 1 st year. Duration: 1 week Proposed date/dates: End of February/ Beginning of March First half of April
Accreditation and Function of Accreditation Agencies Accreditation: Accreditation is a formal and transparent procedure providing a quality label as prove that certain quality requirements (stipulated by law) are met. Accreditation authorizes the private university to confer state recognized academic degrees. Function of Agencies: g Accreditation of institutions; Accreditation of programs;