STATUS QUO REPORT ON QA SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAXHI ZEKA

1. STATUS QUO REPORT ON QA SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAXHI ZEKA MSc. Alfred Marleku June, 2014 – Edinburgh

2. Content of the presentation: • Quality of teaching and learning • Quality of research and development • Quality of administration and student support services • Quality of Management • Quality Assurance Office • International Cooperation Office • Student Support Service

3. Methodology used: • WUS Kosova, in coordination with EU partners, prepared the questionnaire. • The questionnaire was filled by the UNHZ management. • Data collected were analyzed and based on them a Report was prepared.

4. Aim of the survey: • To exam the current situation, needs and capacities of the University of Haxhi Zeka in the field of quality assurance and QA structures. • To serve as a solid groundwork for developing the Quality Assurance strategy for UHZ.

5. 1. QUALITY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING • Offered curricula by the University of “HaxhiZeka” • Faculty of Business: • Business Administration BA • Accounting and Finance BA • Business Administration in Bosnian BA • Business Administration MA • Accounting and Finance MA • Business Administration in Bosnian MA • Human Resource Management (MSc) • Faculty of Law: • General Law, BLL

6. 1. QUALITY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING • Faculty of Management in Tourism, Hospitality and Environment • Management of Tourism, Hospitality BA • Tourism Management (Bosnian language) • Faculty of Agribusiness • Plant Production Technology, BSc • Agro-ecology and agro-environment BSc • Faculty of Fine Arts • General Education in Music BA • Education in Music BA

7. Existing and Bologna Process • Existing curricula of UHZ is comparable with EU universities – 80% • ECTS system is applied • Studies are organized according to the Bologna system 3+2+3(UHZ does not offer PhD studies yet). • The duration of studies at Faculty of Law is 4 years. • Bachelor degree (180 ECTS) – except Law Faculty (240 ECTS) • Master degree is 120 ECTS

8. Teaching personnel: • At UHZ 40% of positions are permanent and 60% temporary positions. • For recruitment of the teaching personnel, the criteria are specified in Statute of the University. • For teaching assistant candidates must have minimum Masters degree. • For Professors candidates must have minimum PhD degree, scientific papers published in scientific journals and other relevant academic achievements.

9. Students: • Students of UHZ are involved in the evaluation of their professors in each semester. • The UHZ provides the following support services for its students: • IT services; • Office for International Relations offers information regarding the various scholarship opportunities (erasmusmundus, basileus) • Access to scientific literature

10. 2. QUALITY OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT • As new institution, UHZ was not engaged intensively in research activities. • Research activities that are being implemented are financed through: • University budget; • Projects and • Private companies • Research infrastructure is composed by: • Laboratories in Agribusiness department • Libraries • Study rooms and • Computer rooms

11. 3. Quality of administration and student support services • The student support services of the UHZ assist and provide the following services: • Application • Organization of entrance exams • Providing confirmations for personal needs for students • Those services are evaluated by the management through questionnaires, reviews, etc. • The quality of UHZ administration is evaluated through • Questionnaires and external auditing • Kosova Accreditation Agency (accreditation process)

12. 4. Quality of Management • Permanent Management is elected according to the Statute of the University (articles 16-19, 25, 33, 38, 42, 43, 50, 64 and 65). • The University Council consist of 7 members • The management is subject of evaluation by the University Council.

13. 5. Quality Assurance Office • UHZ established QA Office • 6 officers work at QA Office • QA Office is responsible for: • Teaching and learning evaluation process • Curricula development and syllabuses • Personnel of QA Office received no training • They require training in all fields related to QA system and procedures.

14. 6. International Cooperation Office • UHZ has established International Cooperation Office • Currently there is only 1 individual working at the office • In the near future, the aim is to employ 3 more individuals • Some of the tasks of the Office include: • Drafting projects • Assisting in applying process in new projects and funds • Assisting academic units in finding donors and partners for EU projects • Act as a coordinator in implementing different projects • Assist in organizing events in the UHZ • Personnel in the Office received no trainings so far. • There is a need for trainings.

15. 7. Student Support Service • UHZ has established the Student Support Service (SSS) • Currently there are 10 employers at this office • Duties and responsibilities of the Office are: • Issuance confirmation for students status • Grade transcripts • Submission of exams • Verifying that the student played its tuition fee • Issuance of diploma and certificates • Personnel in the Office received no trainings so far • There is a need for trainings.

16. 8. Conclusions and Recommendations • Conclusion 1: • Number of professors who are full time staff (40%) is very low compared to the number of teaching staff who are part time, 60%. • Recommendation 1: • UHZ must find ways and possibilities to increase the number of teaching staff with full time contracts. By having sufficient staff which covers most of the study fields, UHZ can expand and apply for new academic programs which are required by the labor market.

17. 8. Conclusions and Recommendations • Conclusion 2: • Low number of teaching staff engaged in research and development activities. • Recommendation 2: • UHZ needs to organize trainings in preparing teaching staff and administration on how to develop projects. So, they can apply and use EU and other funds to increase research and development capacities.

18. 8. Conclusions and Recommendations • Conclusion 3: • The administration of UHZ is functional and very effective. The evaluation of administration is conducted periodically. • Recommendation 3: • There are no recommendations in this area.

19. 8. Conclusions and Recommendations • Conclusion 4: • The quality assurance office is established and functions properly. Nevertheless, staff of this office has not received training in order to be up-to-date with developments and practices in this field. • Recommendation 4: • UHZ management in coordination with the QA office must create a list of topics of trainings to train QA office staff. This can be achieved with the help and support of EU partners through the TEMPUS projects.

20. 8. Conclusions and Recommendations • Conclusion 5: • University of HaxhiZeka has established the International Cooperation Office. Currently there is only 1 official working at this office. • Recommendation 5: • UHZ must increase the number of officials in the office. • UHZ must organize trainings for the staff of the office.

21. 8. Conclusions and Recommendations • Conclusion 6: • The Student Support Service is established at University of HaxhiZeka. Currently there are 10 employers working at this office. • Recommendation 6: • UHZ must organize trainings for the staff of the office based on identification of the ongoing support needs of students.

22. Thank you!