Status Report on the Internal Quality Assurance Framework of Yerevan State University (YSU) in the Context of European Standards

and Guidelines

H. Zhamharyan, YSU

INTRODUCTION 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. YSU has undertaken appropriate measures to create missing components of YSU IQA and integrate already existing parts of it in the emerging ESG-based framework of YSU IQA. 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.

YSU adopted new IQA policy and strategy, and established QA office to oversee and implement QA related processes within the University. Below a brief description of the YSU IQA framework is presented in the light of ESG requirements for IQA in higher education institutions.

1. POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE

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 relating to safeguarding of academic standards, assurance of quality and enhancement of quality are presented in the Assignment 1 document.

The YSU IQA strategy is stated in YSU 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 9 strategies have been developed.

2. 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., so as to meet requirements of the ESG Standard #2 for IQA. These mechanisms are as follows:
1. Methodological Guidelines for Development of YSU Study Programmes 2. Regulations for Approval of YSU Study Programmes 3. Guidelines and Procedures for Annual Monitoring and Periodic Review

of YSU Programme 4. Other official documents related to development of YSU study programmes

3. ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS 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 have the following characteristic features: 1. They have clear and publicly available criteria for making grades 2. They have clear, pre-defined examinations and other assessment methods in place
3. They have clear regulations covering student absence, illness and

other mitigating circumstances

4. The

administration checks that the assessment procedures are followed example, via student handbooks, study guides, YSU website

5. The assessment methods and criteria applied are publicly available, for 6. The final grade of examination is formed from the results of 2 interim

writing exams, assessment of student class participation, and end-ofsemester oral examination
7. The student academic standing (performance) is expressed through

GPA (grade point average), which is a credit-weighted mean of student grads in the semester

4. 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. The complete list of staff QA related procedures and programmes is presented in the Assignment 1 document.

5. LEARNING RESOURCES AND STUDENT SUPPORT

In order to meet the requirements of the appropriate ESG standard the following permanent activities are being implemented in the University:
1. The University library is regularly upgrading. YSU has developed and

adopted strategy for development of its library resources (Goal VI, objective 2 of the YSU Strategic Development Plan 2010-2014), which states: To develop information resources of the University according to the contemporary standards, ensure their effective operation and access.
2. Computing facilities are permanently upgrading 3. There

is a State (President-supported) programme for gradual upgrading of learning and research laboratory base of the University to their study at YSU, i.e. student guidebooks, programme handbooks, assessment regulations, credit-based study regulations, etc

4. Students are provided with the necessary information materials related

5. The graduate satisfaction surveys conducted in YSU evaluate also

satisfaction level of YSU graduates from University services and facilities

6. INFORMATION SYSTEMS

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: The complete list of YSU internal information subsystems is presented in the Assignment 1 document.

7. PUBLIC INFORMATION The information that is publicly available about YSU study programmes includes:
1. The Guide for YSU Applicant

2. YSU First-year Student Information Package

3. The Credit-based Study Handbook & Course Catalog for Bachelors and

Masters degree programme students

4. The published annual report of the YSU Rector 5. Statistics on the students currently involved in the programmes

6. The YSU Web-site, publications or other information materials

THE YSU MISSION TARGETS ALL 3 DIMENSIONS OF THE CONTEMPORARY UNIVERSITY:

Education Research & Development

Community Involvement (Services to society)

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3 Strategic goals have been defined to effectively implement the mission of the University. These goals are:
STRATEGIC GOAL 1. QUALITY EDUCATION To 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 todays requirements. 5 Main Objectives have been identified in order to achieve this goal

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STRATEGIC GOAL 2. QUALITY RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONS To maximize the application of Universitys 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. 4 Main Objectives have been identified in order to achieve this goal

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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. 2 Objectives have been identified in order to achieve this goal

The appropriate objectives are presented in the Assignment 2 document

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Organizing the YSU quality assurance unit

In 2008 YSU established an internal quality assurance (QA) office to oversee and implement QA related processes within the University. The office is named as Unit of University Quality Assurance and Control (UQAC), which operates within the YSU Educational Department. Two other University units, such as Unit of University Education Development and Unit of Information Technology are also involved in the QA related processes at YSU along with the UQAC Unit.

The Unit organogram and main responsibilities are presented in the next slide.

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The unit organogram and job responsibilities

Unit of University Quality Assurance and Control (UQAC)

Unit Head:
Responsible for: coordination of UQAC activities development of standards/criteria, requirements and appropriate procedures for assuring due quality of YSU study programmes and awards control of all QA related activities at YSU

Senior officer-1:
Responsible for: coordination of QA processes related to assessment of teaching and learning at YSU

Senior officer-2:
Responsible for: processing and resuming the results of interim and final assessments of YSU students

Senior officer-3:
Responsible for: conducting student surveys on the quality of teaching and learning at YSU and processing the results of the surveys

Senior officer-4:
Responsible for: conducting graduate satisfaction surveys on the quality of study programmes and student experience at YSU, and processing the results of the surveys

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Thank you for your attention !!

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