IQAS Accreditation
April 2, 2025 2025-05-14 9:28IQAS Accreditation
Accreditation of the internal quality assurance system
In every institution of higher education an internal quality assurance system (IQAS) designed to cover the full range of functions and activities of the institution is formulated and implemented.
In order to ensure and continually improve the quality of each institution’s teaching and research work, as well as to ensure the effective operation and performance of its services, the internal quality assurance system must be developed in accordance with international practices, especially those of the European Higher Education Area, and the principles and guidelines of the HAHE. Responsibility for the organisation and implementation in each institution of higher education of an internal QA system is assigned to the Quality Assurance Unit.
The institutions’ IQAS is periodically accredited by the HAHE. The general criteria for accreditation include:
- establishing clearly defined objectives and ensuring the continuous improvement of the quality of study programmes and support services of the institution,
- the process of policy planning, effective organisation and the decision-making process for continuous improvement of quality,
- the process of implementing the policy of continuously improving quality,
- the documented improvement of quality.
In this context, institutions must put in place a quality assurance policy as part of their strategic planning. This policy should expand and be aimed at the institution’s areas of activity and, in particular, at the fulfilment of quality requirements of the study programmes and other services offered by the institution. Also, the quality assurance policy should be widely published and implemented by all institutional stakeholders (teaching staff, students, administration and leadership).
During its 92nd session (10/09/2019), the ADIP Council approved the Certification Committee Report, confirming that the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) of the University of Crete fully complies with the ADIP Quality Standards and the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).
The Council consequently granted institutional certification valid for four years, from September 10, 2019 to September 9, 2023.
In collaboration with Academic Departments, administrative services, Internal Evaluation Teams, ad hoc committees, and the newly appointed process coordinators (as defined in Session No. 267/14.10.2020 of the Rector's Council), MODIP analyzed and discussed the findings of the external evaluation and certification process and the subsequently developed Action Plans of the Departments.
