QUALITY ASSURANCE UNIT – DUTH
The role of the Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) at Democritus University of Thrace (D.U.Th.) is to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of our institution and to inform the central administration or the relevant competent authorities on a feedback rationale, so that they may form the basis for the strategic formulation of the university or for the strategy of individual academic units.
Inevitably, this institution enhances the self-management and accountability of D.U.Th. leading to a self-evaluation of the work performed at the university, as well as the services it provides through transparent and systematic procedures, with the involvement of students (external bodies ought to be participants, too). Finally, it is a powerful tool for ensuring long term sustainability in the new operating requirements framework for the operation of HEI, as it has been developed during the past few years.
Beyond the data collection and production of reports and effectiveness indicators based on guidelines adopted at European level and consolidated at national level by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (H.Q.A.A.) now (HAHE), the Quality Assurance Unit of our academic institution seeks, through a series of initiatives it has undertaken (engagement in the thematic peer group of European University Association titled “Approaches in learning and teaching to promoting equity and inclusion”, setting up a teaching and learning office establishment of an outstanding teaching award, the attribution of which is based on student centered learning, establishing a framework for volunteering, setting up a working group on the promotion of student centered learning in departments) assist in cultivating and consolidating a transformative approach to the concept of quality, which aims towards the dissemination of a qualitative cultural cultivation. Obviously, this is neither an easy task nor given or self-evident. It is though a big challenge, which, if accomplished and materialized, then we will have managed to open and mark a new era for D.U.Th.
The choice is in our hands!