Development of a prototype ISO-compliant quality assurance system for a university

Abstract

Difficulties in developing efficient administrative services (e.g. student care, interconnection with the labor market and quality assurance) due to understaffing are considered among the most important problems that limit the effectiveness of higher education institutes. This is emphasized in the latest Hellenic Quality Assurance & Accreditation Agency (HQA) report [15] and leads to the necessity for the existence and utilization of an internal Quality Assurance System that will monitor the alignment of objectives with the long-term academic performance. The commitment of each University according Quality must be reflected and confirmed through the processes and procedures of the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS), which is reasonably drafted, implemented and reviewed on a yearly basis. The purpose of the ESDP is to provide the institutions and members of the academic community with a framework for the achievement of the aims and objectives of the Institution in terms of quality and more specifically the achievement of high quality in its operation, the continuous improvement of educational and research work, as well as the efficient operation and performance of its services in accordance with international practices, in particular those of the European Higher Education Area and the principles and guidelines of the HQA. HQA has already imposed the development and use of IQAS by sending appropriate instructions and organizing its certification actions for all Greek universities. If the IQAS is supported by appropriate software, its implementation and exploitation is facilitated, with positive side effects for all involved. The purpose of this paper is to capture the basic features of the development of the prototype of such an open source IQAS, compatible with the HQA and ISO guidelines, so that it can then be used, modified and certified on a more professional basis.