University of Thessaly Self – Evaluation Report
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UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY SELF – EVALUATION REPORT (SECOND DRAFT) VOLOS – MAY 2004 A note from the Rectorate of the University of Thessaly The Senate of the University of Thessaly decided to participate in the Institutional Evaluation Programme of the European University Association for the academic year 2003-2004. The long-term objectives of this voluntary Program are to strengthen the autonomy of the University and to support needed change. While quality of teaching and learning or research will not be evaluated for accountability purposes, we expect that this evaluation will contribute to the development and improvement of mechanisms in our University’s strategic and quality management. After the approval by EUA of the University’s application for participation in the program, the Senate assigned a self-evaluation steering group consisting of members of the academic staff of the University. Each of these members was responsible to coordinate the selection of information from a number of administrative and academic units. The self-evaluation steering group was assisted by task forces led by members of the staff of the University. Members of the steering group and the staff prepared this draft of the self-evaluation report, as well as the documentation and the analysis provided in the appendices. The self-evaluation is the first step in the evaluation process and through the self-evaluation report we hope that the evaluation team will get a good description and analysis of our University. The ultimate purpose of the self-evaluation is to give ownership to all members of the academic community of the improvements introduced. Independent advice from the evaluators will enhance the positive effects of the self-evaluation. In addition, the evaluation team will validate the content of the self-evaluation report, look deeper into our Institution’s internal quality management, give recommendations on areas that could be further developed, and provide an opportunity for dialogue between evaluators and the University in order to strengthen the self-knowledge which will be developed during the evaluation process. The evaluation team made their first visit in mid March 2004, during which they tested their understanding of the University, its mission, ethos and context, while the University community became more familiar with the process and focus of the Evaluation Program. As a result, the first draft of the self-evaluation report was modified to become more complete and accurate. During the main visit in the end of May 2004, the evaluators will validate the accuracy of the self-evaluation report and any special additional reports. Based on their findings and on their knowledge of other universities in other countries, the evaluators will establish a diagnosis in order to advise the University. The institutional evaluation will result in a final report that will describe the findings and draw conclusions of the evaluation team regarding the University’s capacity to improve its performance, and the internal processes and mechanisms of quality assurance that monitor its performance. Key terms such as strategic management, quality assurance or even organization hold a variety of meanings in universities. We are convinced that the complex and sometimes turbulent higher education landscape requires universities to act as coherent and cohesive units in order to uphold academic norms and values of excellence. While evaluation procedures in various forms are present in the University of Thessaly, this is the first time that a formal self-evaluation will be implemented. We expect, therefore, that this Program will help in defining and implementing efficient evaluation processes that fit better to the character and the specific conditions of the University of Thessaly, in establishing efficient mechanisms of change, and in developing a Quality culture in our academic community. Volos – 21th May 2004 Professor Constantinos Bagiatis – Rector Professor Constantinos Gourgoulianis – Vice Rector Financing Professor Napoleon Mitsis – Vice Rector Academic Affairs 2nd Draft - Self-Evaluation Report for U. of Thessaly 2003-2004 ii 2nd Draft - Self-Evaluation Report for U. of Thessaly 2003-2004 iii CONTENTS Page A note from the Rectorate of the University of Thessaly i CONTENTS iii FORWARD vi Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1 Reasons for Self-Evaluation of the University 1 1.2 The Self-evaluation team and the Task forces 1 Chapter 2. The National and Institutional Context 2.1 The higher education system in Greece 3 2.2 The University of Thessaly 3 2.2.1Brief historical overview 3 2.2.2 Academic profile of the University 4 2.2.3 Organisational profile of the University 5 2.2.4 Concluding remarks 5 Chapter 3. Institutional Norms and Values 3.1 Introduction 6 3.2 Mission and goals of the University 6 3.3 Local, regional, national and international interaction 7 3.4 Balancing teaching, research and services 7 3.5 Academic priorities and didactic approaches 7 3.6 Degree of centralisation and decentralisation 8 3.7 Relationship with funding agencies 8 3.8 Relations with the national and local Government and the Region 8 3.9 European and international relations 9 3.9.1 Relations with Europe 9 3.9.2 International relations 9 Chapter 4. The Constraints for the University 4.1 Institutional autonomy 10 4.1.1 Introduction 10 4.1.2 Selection and appointment of staff 10 4.1.3 Selection of students 10 4.1.4 Teaching and learning 10 4.1.5 Research activities 11 4.1.6 Development of entrepreneurial activities 11 4.1.7 Finance 11 4.2 Regional and national labour-market situation 12 4.2.1 Introduction 12 4.2.2 Current labour market conditions 12 2nd Draft - Self-Evaluation Report for U. of Thessaly 2003-2004 iv 4.2.3 Interaction with the Region 13 4.3 Infrastructure of the University 13 4.4 Student-to-staff ratio 14 4.5 Student Aid 14 4.6 Personnel Policy 14 4.7 Institutional Planning and Development 14 Chapter 4. Current Activities of the University 5.1 Introduction 15 5.2 Academic activities 15 5.2.1Academic units 15 5.2.2 Postgraduate programs 15 5.2.3 Internal balance between teaching, research and supply of services 15 5.2.4 Internal balance between central and decentralised activities 15 5.2.5 Innovative development and quality improvement 16 5.3 Finance 16 5.4 Management activities 16 Chapter 6. Quality Management 6.1 Introduction 17 6.2 The framework of Quality in Greek universities 17 6.3 Quality management in the University of Thessaly 18 6.4 Evaluation of teaching 18 7. Strategic management of change 7.1 Introduction 19 7.2 Expected Policies and Practices 19 7.3 Regional inter-institutional linkage mechanisms 19 7.4 Long-term goals of the University 20 7.4.1 Undergraduate education 20 7.4.2 Postgraduate programs 20 7.4.3 Research policies 20 7.4.4 Continuing education 21 7.4.5 Services to society 21 7.5 Expectations and perspectives 21 References 22 Appendices 23 2nd Draft - Self-Evaluation Report for U. of Thessaly 2003-2004 v FORWARD The present Self-Evaluation Report for the University of Thessaly was prepared in the context of the Institutional Evaluation Programme of the European University Association (EUA) for the academic year 2003-2004. Following the guidelines given by EUA for the self-evaluation, we have tried to present a comprehensive statement of our University’s view of quality management and strategic planning, and to analyse the strengths and weakness of our University in a frank and honest manner. During the period of preparation of the first draft of this report, a few meetings were organized (e.g. by students on 4 December 2003, and faculty on 28 January 2004) to discuss the objectives of the evaluation program, to obtain the views of faculty, students, and support staff, and to formulate a consensus for a plan of action of the University community in supporting the present evaluation. While there were positive elements in these discussions there were also difficulties encountered in understanding the self-evaluation process. The evaluation team made their first visit in mid March 2004, during which they tested their understanding of the University, its mission, ethos and context, while the University community became more familiar with the process and focus of the Evaluation Program. As a result of this visit, the first draft of the self-evaluation report has been modified accordingly. Data were completed as much as possible and new material was added, as requested by the EUA evaluators or made available to the steering committee by the administrative and academic units. During the main visit in the end of May 2004, the evaluators will validate the accuracy of the self-evaluation report and any special additional reports. Based on their findings and on their knowledge of other universities in other countries, the evaluators will establish a diagnosis in order to advise the University. The institutional evaluation will result in a final report that will describe the findings and draw conclusions of the evaluation team regarding the University’s capacity to improve its performance, and the internal processes and mechanisms of quality assurance that monitor its performance. It is hoped that this self-evaluation report will indeed provide a framework for the assessment of our University by the evaluation team and will result to a specific action plan for improving its performance. While evaluation procedures in various forms are present in the University of Thessaly, this is the first time that a self-evaluation will be implemented in a formal manner. It is expected, therefore, that the EUA Institutional Evaluation Programme will help in defining and implementing efficient evaluation procedures that fit better to the overall character and the particular conditions of our Institution, in establishing efficient mechanisms of needed changes, and in developing a sound Quality culture in our academic community.