Butlletí

A bimonthly publication of AQU Catalunya

50

September 2010

EDITORIAL

The VSMA Framework: the common thread in the life cycle of recognised degrees

In a recent editorial, I referred to using a magic wand to talk about university rankings, and I’d like to wave it again today to talk about the ex-ante assessment, monitoring, modification and accreditation of recognised degrees... the thing is, I can’t find my wand so I’ll have to make do without any tall stories! The same day (2 July) that we were presenting the VSMA Framework for the ex-ante assessment, monitoring, modification and accreditation of recognised degrees to the AQU Board of Management saw the publication of Royal Decree 861/2010, which amended Royal Decree 1393/2007 and devolves upon AQU Catalunya (together with the other agencies that also form part of ENQA and the EQAR) the capacity of degree programme review, a capacity that was previously exercised prior to Royal Decree 1393/2007.

AQU NEWS

• Results of the second call of AUDIT programme26.08.2010
• AQU publishes the protocol for action in the event of cases of fraud in teaching staff assessment processes23.08.2010
• In-depth studies on the higher education system in Catalonia18.08.2010
• Public call of Croatian Agency for Science and Higher Education for members of expert panels for re-accreditation09.08.2010
• Protocol approved for the monitoring and renewal of accreditation of recognised university degrees30.07.2010
• Meeting with the Minister for Education23.07.2010
• Publication of the external evaluation report of the UAB's International Relations service22.07.2010
• Results of 2010 evaluation of the research work of non-tenure teaching and research staff19.07.2010
• Results of the first call of 2010 for the issue of the reports of tenure-track lecturer and collaborating lecturer16.07.2010
• Start of the second stage of the Experimental Monitoring Programme12.07.2010
• AQU Catalunya participates in the summer programmes at the University of the Basque Country and the Menéndez Pelayo International University08.07.2010
• The AQU Board of Management endorses the Framework for the ex ante accreditation, monitoring, modification and accreditation of recognised degrees07.07.2010
• Equal job conditions between male and female graduates, three years after graduation06.07.2010

ARTICLES

• The Experimental Monitoring Programme
  The Catalan universities, together with AQU Catalunya, have set in motion a pioneer programme to collaborate, the aim of which is to aid the setting up of an appropriate frame of reference to monitor the quality of recognised degree courses.
  Carme Edo Ros - Project manager of AQU Catalunya
• The Framework for the ex-ante assessment, monitoring, modification and accreditation of recognised degrees in Catalonia
  In 1999, the European Ministers responsible for higher education in Europe signed the Bologna Declaration, which laid the foundations for the setting up of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in 2010.
  Editorial Board - AQU Catalunya

OPINION

• Monitoring the quality of university studies: a relationship of trust
  

  Flor Sánchez Fernández
  Department of Social Psychology and Methodology, Autonomous University of Madrid

  Insofar as the universities are free to propose new programmes within the regulatory framework of recognised university degree programmes, they are also responsible for monitoring the development of all programmes of study that are proposed. This is being carried out by the universities that make up the higher education system in Catalonia. Taking responsibility for the work of monitoring makes it possible for them to self-regulate control over the systems for the evaluation and assurance of the quality of university studies, thereby making the work of the quality assurance agencies, AQU Catalunya in the case at hand, one of an advisory and supporting nature.

AQU RECOMMENDS

• Research assessment in the Humanities and Social Sciences [ca]
• Framework for the ex ante accreditation, monitoring, modification and accreditation of recognised degrees
• Protocol for the monitoring and renewal of accreditation of recognised university degrees [es]