quality assurance in practice: the example of cyprus

Quality Assurance in practice:the example of Cyprus

Quality Assurance in practice:the example of Cyprus

Elpida Keravnou-PapailiouPresident of the Governing Board of

Cyprus University of Technology

and

Member of the Evaluation Committee for

Private Universities

6 December 2010

ASEM Conference, Limassol, Cyprus

6 December 2010 ASEM Conference

Presentation• Higher Education in Cyprus• Current Quality Assurance Bodies• Legislation for a new unified

National QA and Recognition Agency

• Conclusions


Higher Education in Cyprus

• Relatively short history• Three state universities

– University of Cyprus (1989, 1992)– Open University of Cyprus (2003, 2006)– Cyprus University of Technology (2003,

2007)

• Four private universities (2005, 2007, 2010)– Currently operating under probationary

license

• Cyprus signed the Bologna Declaration in 2001


Private Schools of Tertiary Education

• In addition there are many private schools of tertiary education, some of which have accredited university-level programmes– This is confusing since the schools

themselves do not have the status of a university

• Some are actively pursuing transnational arrangements with universities abroad (course validation, franchising agreements)


Transnational education provision is welcome …• Provided that quality is not adversely affected• Provided that the management of quality is a

strategic priority for HEIs and other education institutions– Universities in Cyprus can offer joint

programmes and award joint degrees

• Countries should safeguard against the commercialization of HE and the easy acquisition of qualifications– Such developments do not differ substantially

from degree mills• An ever growing and thriving business


Bologna Process Stocktaking 2009 for Cyprus

1. Stage of implementation ofthe first and second cycle

DEGREE SYSTEM

2. Access to the next cycle

3. Implementation of nationalqualifications framework

4. Stage of development ofexternal QA system

QUALITY ASSURANCE, ESG

5. Level of student participationin quality assurance

6. Level of internationalparticipation in QA

7. Stage of implementation ofdiploma supplement

RECOGNITION

8. National implementation of the principles of the LRC

9. Stage of implementation ofECTS

10. Recognition of prior learning


Some facts and figures for Cyprus

• According to the official report on the progress of the Lisbon strategy– Amongst the 27 member states, Cyprus has the

highest percentage (29.7%) of population in the age group 25-64 with HE qualifications

– Cyprus, Malta and Ireland are the three member states with the highest progress in the period 2000-2007, regarding the percentage of their population with HE qualifications

• This is a central progress indicator

• Cyprus has a high student migration– More than half of its approximately 35,000

students are studying at universities abroad– Government policy aims to reverse this situation

and in addition to attract international students• Convert Cyprus to a regional centre for quality

HE


The Quality Scene for HE in Cyprus

• All HEIs in Cyprus are strongly encouraged to develop and apply effective internal quality management strategies


Current Quality Assurance Bodiesin Cyprus (1)

• SETE (Advisory Committee for Tertiary Education)– “Institutional” evaluation for registering as a

tertiary educational establishment

• SEKAP (Council for Educational Evaluation-Accreditation)– Seven member committee of university

professors– Private Schools of Tertiary Education– Programmatic Evaluation and Accreditation– Strong participation of international experts in

evaluation committees



• ECPU (Evaluation Committee for Private Universities)– Seven member committee of university

professors (chaired ex-officio by Chairperson of SEKAP – two other joint members)

– Processing applications for the establishment of new private universities and recommending to the Minister of Education

– Monitoring progress during the probationary period

– “Monitoring” progress subsequently– Strong participation of international experts


Private Universities

• Quality management of their education provision is particularly extensive– Operate under probation for four years– Operate for profit

• The quality of their programmes is a key criterion for granting them proper license of operation– Special emphasis is put on the

implementation of the ECTS requirements


Criteria/Indicators for the Quality Management of Programmes of Private Universities in Cyprus

1. Aims, objectives and overall identity of programme2. Student intake3. Admissions criteria and admissions process4. Target audience (home and international students)5. Structure of programme6. Learning outcomes (overall programme, individual modules)7. Practical/industrial component (if applicable)8. Project work (dissertations, group work, theses)9. Implementation of ECTS requirements10. Generic skills and competencies that the programme aims to

give to the students11. Research-related aspects of programme12. Internal mechanisms for evaluating the quality of the

programme and the student and staff satisfaction, and the adequateness of these mechanisms

13. Internal procedures for reviewing the programme14. Relation of programme with other programmes of the

university15. Impact of the programme (societal, scientific)16. Learning Resources supporting the Programme



• KYSATS (Cyprus Council for the Recognition of HE Qualifications)– Seven member committee– Exercises quality control on the degrees

of• Private schools of tertiary education

– Certification of knowledge proficiency

• Private universities under probation– Verification of adherence to the transitional

provisions

– Accredits distance-learning qualifications provided by conventional institutions


The external QA scene in Cyprus is presently rather fragmented

SETE SEKAP ECPU KYSATS

There are gaps, overlaps and inconsistencies in existing separate legislations

Minimal institutional evaluation

Obliges schools to have students on non-

accredited programmes

Schools are not obliged to have their

programmes accredited

What monitoring after probation?

Mixed-up situation between private

universities and their associated schools

“Unfair” quality control on local degrees

Forced to “accredit” distance learning

degrees

state Institutions?


Legislation for a new unified National QA and Recognition Agency

• That will replace SETE, SEKAP, ECPU and KYSATS

• With the aim of filling the gaps and removing overlaps and inconsistencies

• Based on the ESG and addressing all tertiary level institutions – QA for all institutions– Accreditation only for private institutions

• Dealing with cross-border education provision to and from Cyprus


Other Ongoing Developments in Cyprus

• Dialogue in progress regarding the establishment of a new, unified and modernized legislation for HE

• An NQF for Cyprus in line with the QF for the EHEA and the EQF for LLL is under development


Future Challenges for Cyprus• Implementation of the HE reform process• Extending the HE capacity to satisfy the

demand for university studies• Increasing research activities

– Increasing the involvement of the private sector

• Establishing centers of excellence to compete internationally

• Improving the attractiveness of HE by improving the quality of HE

• Making the HE system student-centered • Enhancing student/staff mobility• Introducing flexibility in studies and

establishing LLL centers at all HEIs


Conclusions

• HE in Cyprus is growing rapidly• QA, both external and internal, is of

critical significance• A culture towards quality is necessary for

safeguarding against minimum quality standards for academic and professional qualifications

• There is justifiable concern about cross-border education provision - this calls for strong collaboration links between national QA agencies

quality assurance in practice: the example of cyprus

Documents

management of quality

quality hethe quality

open university of cyprus

national implementation

stage of implementation

evaluation committee

private universities6

member states