Work Package 2 of International Quality Assurance Project: Progress and Future Steps
The progress of WP2 has been marked by significant achievements and ongoing activities aimed at enhancing internal quality assurance (IQA) systems in higher education institutions. Since its launch, several key milestones have been reached, while others remain in development.
Task 2.1 has focused on organizing a study visit to UCAM to examine institutional IQA policies and practices. An online meeting held on December 14, 2021, brought together stakeholders from EU and non-EU partner institutions to discuss best practices in IQA. The next step involves an in-person study visit to UCAM, where participants will directly observe IQA strategies and their implementation. This visit is still pending.
Tasks 2.2 and 2.3 have concentrated on designing an IQA methodology, emphasizing a student-centered approach to teaching, learning, assessment, and research. Activities such as defining worksheets for developing indicators and forming working groups have been completed. The upcoming phase will involve cross-checking the developed indicators and preparing them for pilot testing.
Task 2.4 includes the organization of workshops in Azerbaijan to present IQA strategies to stakeholders, including students, university staff, and employers. Preparations for these workshops are ongoing, with the agenda and activities still being developed and validated. Task 2.5 focuses on piloting the IQA model in Azerbaijani institutions. Partners are currently working on agreeing upon the specific indicators to be used in the pilot phase, with a report to be prepared after the implementation.
Following the pilot phase, Task 2.6 will involve a virtual workshop where Azerbaijani partners will present the results, gather feedback from stakeholders, and raise awareness about fostering a quality culture in education. Planning for this webinar is underway. Task 2.7 will culminate in the development of a user guide documenting the methodologies and tools created during WP2. This guide will include training materials for HEIs in partner countries and a joint IQA system that integrates best practices to enhance student mobility and international educational cooperation.
The progress of WP2 has not been without challenges. A delay in 2022 caused by the geopolitical situation in Ukraine led to the temporary suspension of activities. Despite this setback, the consortium has shown strong commitment to advancing the project. Continued collaboration between EU and non-EU institutions remains critical to achieving the goals of WP2 and ensuring robust and adaptable IQA systems across diverse HEIs.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on finalizing the pilot testing and implementation phases, communicating results through stakeholder engagement, and integrating the developed methodologies across participating institutions. These efforts will significantly enhance the quality of education, foster international partnerships, and improve student mobility and global knowledge exchange in alignment with the Bologna Process.
The success of WP2 promises to leave a lasting impact on quality assurance processes in higher education institutions worldwide, creating a foundation for sustainable improvements and stronger international cooperation.
WP2 Files and Reports: