On-line quality assurance of study programmes: EQUASP approach

Abstract

The description of the EQUASP model for quality assurance of study programmes, developed in framework of a TEMPUS project, is introduced. The introduction section contains brief information on the concept of quality and quality assurance of study programmes along with the Tuning approach to the design of study programmes and the standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area. The fourth section describes the EQUASP approach to quality assurance and pinpoints the necessary documentation for the quality assurance of study programmes. More specifically, the EQUASP standards for the quality assurance of study programmes are defined, followed with the identification of the fundamental processes for a quality management of study programmes together with the associated quality requirements and expected activities for their accomplishment. The information and data which study programmes need to document in order to provide evidence of the quality of the educational service offered and therefore, to assure their quality, are established. The standards and guidelines constitute the ‘EQUASP Model’ for the quality assurance of study programmes. The fifth section introduces the EQUASP approach for monitoring of quality of study programmes perceived by interested parties (students, graduates, employed graduates and employers).Finally, the sixth section summarizes the objectives already achieved and introduces the activities in progress for the completion of the project according to the established work plan, while the conclusions summarize the benefits of the EQUASP system.