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Conference of SAGW/OAQ in Bern, 29 April 2004

Conference of SAGW/OAQ in Bern, 29 April 2004. Speech Rolf Heusser - procedure: Presentation of OAQ including its international co-operations Two functions of OAQ: audits/evaluation versus accreditation The Swiss accreditation system in higher education.

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Conference of SAGW/OAQ in Bern, 29 April 2004

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  1. Conference of SAGW/OAQ in Bern, 29 April 2004 Speech Rolf Heusser - procedure: • Presentation of OAQ including its international co-operations • Two functions of OAQ: audits/evaluation versus accreditation • The Swiss accreditation system in higher education RH/OAQ/April 2004

  2. The Center for Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the Swiss Universities (OAQ) • Established in October 2001 • Based on legal act • Mission: assure and promote the quality of education and research of the Swiss universities • Business office and scientific advisory board; autonomy in working process RH/OAQ/April 2004

  3. National Agencies for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Europe, 2004 Evaluations / Audits Accreditations RH/OAQ/April 2004

  4. OAQ - International Co-operations Memberships: • European Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) • European Consortium for Accreditation (ECA) • D-A-CH Network: Cooperation Agreement (DACH) • Joint Quality Initiative (JQI) • International Network of Quality Assurance in Higher Education (INQAAHE) RH/OAQ/April 2004

  5. OAQ - Core Functions • Quality Assurance • Quality audits/evaluations (recognition procedure) • Services • Accreditation • Set up guidelines and standards • Accreditation of institutions and/or programs) • Information • Accreditation • Quality Assurance • Related topics RH/OAQ/April 2004

  6. Accreditation and Evaluation – Differences RH/OAQ/April 2004

  7. Accreditation and Evaluation – Similarities • Same methods, same procedures • Same experts • Same examination domains/same questions • Accreditation is always based on evaluations • Accreditation can be seen as a formal endpoint of an evaluation process RH/OAQ/April 2004

  8. External QA at Swiss Public Universities OAQ QA-System University Quality audits:(mandatory) Faculties /departments Accreditations(voluntary) Study programs RH/OAQ/April 2004

  9. The Swiss Accreditation Systemin Higher Education RH/OAQ/April 2004

  10. Accreditation - Definition • Formal and transparent procedure of quality assessment • Carried out by independent institution, using predefined quality standards • Multistep evaluation procedure, leading to yes/no decision RH/OAQ/April 2004

  11. Accreditation - Concept • Accreditation procedures and quality standards based on international best practices • Accreditation of academic institutions and / or programs (public and private) • Focus on education/teaching • Voluntary system: accreditations on demand of institutions RH/OAQ/April 2004

  12. Accreditation - Procedure • First step : Self-evaluation by unit seeking accreditation • Second step : External evaluation / on-site visit by independent experts • Third step : Decision, based on assessment of predetermined quality standards RH/OAQ/April 2004

  13. Accreditation - Quality standards • Defined and published quality standards • According to best international practices • Generic standards, mainly process oriented • No standards on content of study programs • Addition of specific standards possible RH/OAQ/April 2004

  14. Accreditation - On site visit • 3 - 5 experts/peers, chosen by OAQ in consensus with unit undergoing accreditation • Selection criteria published (e.g. independency) • Briefing of experts prior to visit • Two days on site visit  report of expert group RH/OAQ/April 2004

  15. Accreditation - Decision • The Swiss University Conference decides on proposition of OAQ • Decisions: yes / no / yes under certain conditions • Appeals: independent court • Unconditional accreditation is granted for 7 years RH/OAQ/April 2004

  16. Accreditation - Time needed and Costs • Accreditation process: 8 - 9 months duration • Time to complete self-evaluation report: 3 months • Costs are covered by OAQ for public universities (excluding self-evaluation phase) • Full costs to be payed by private institutions: 30’000 - 40’000 CHFr. RH/OAQ/April 2004

  17. Accreditation - Strengths • Formal and transparent character of quality assessment • Yes or no decision • Allows an international comparison of quality of programs / institutions RH/OAQ/April 2004

  18. Accreditation - Benefits • Increases competitiveness of accredited units • Facilitates international recognition of diploma • Improves orientation for students, employers and society • Stimulates quality improvement efforts in institutions RH/OAQ/April 2004

  19. Accreditation – Status 2004 • Guidelines, criteria and instruments developped • International compatibility of Swiss accreditation system confirmed • Five procedures completed, 11 procedures started in 2004 (public and private universitary institutions) • 2005 ff: accreditation of “Fachhochschulen” (?) • Strong efforts to reach mutual recognition of accreditation decisions within Europe RH/OAQ/April 2004

  20. Further Information about OAQ: Requests and information: • e-mail:Rolf Heusser <rolf.heusser@oaq.ch> or info@oaq.ch • Telephone: ++41 31 380 11 50 • Website: www.oaq.ch RH/OAQ/April 2004

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