A quarterly publication of AQU Catalunya
As a system, having a robust quality assurance strategy will be key to our ability to move forward and successfully address the challenges that lie ahead.
As I embark on this new phase of my professional life, following my appointment through an open selection process, I look forward to embracing the varied challenges and responsibilities that come with my role, and to offering AQU Catalunya and the Catalan Higher Education System my commitment to improving higher education through quality assurance.
Throughout my academic career, I have been involved in quality assurance in one way or another and have worked with all areas of the Agency. The period in which I was most involved was during the eight years that I held the position of vice-rector, first for Teaching and ICT, and later for Teaching and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), where I led the adaptation of Rovira i Virgili University to the principles of the EHEA, in addition to being responsible for quality. I have also served on AQU committees tasked with defining indicators for online teaching, as well as others promoted by the Inter-University Council of Catalonia, such as the Margalida Comas i Camps Programme for improving teaching and learning at universities. Moreover, I have participated in several studies, including one aimed at evaluating competencies in the social sciences, and have served on the external assessment committees for various institutions and degree programmes. It was this knowledge of the Catalan Higher Education System that motivated me to apply for the position of Director of the Agency.
Alongside my previous experience in quality assurance, I come to this role with the firm belief that, as a system, having a robust quality assurance strategy will be key to our ability to move forward and successfully address the challenges that lie ahead. Some of these challenges stem from legislative changes and new methodological frameworks, while others are linked to the evolving landscape of higher education viewed from a holistic and international perspective. By addressing these issues, we can position ourselves as a systemic tool not only for mitigating threats but also for capitalising on any opportunities that arise.
It has now been a month since I took up the post, with enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and above all, with a strong commitment to delivering solutions that align with the Agency's motto: "Serving the Catalan Higher Education System”.