KSU System for Quality assurance of education at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences

1. “Quality arises in the meeting of students and UMB” KSUSystem for Quality assurance of education at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences

2. Norwegian University of Life Sciences • Higher Agricultural School: 1859 • Scientific university college (Agricultural University of Norway): 1897 • University (UMB): 2005 • 2800 students • 250 doctorate students • 870 employees – of which 440 scientific • Offers Bachelor’s (3 years), Master’s (5 years) and Ph.D. degree programmes

3. Annually, about 2800 students study at UMB Study programmes of three and five years 13 Bachelor’s and 37 Master’s degree programmes 40 – 50 PhDs per year Research-based theoretical education with emphasis on practical experience Studies

4. International studies • 280 of 2800 students are foreign citizens • 30 percent of the students take a study period abroad • 30 percent of the courses at UMB are offered in English • Broad cooperation with approximately 80 foreign universities • Own department of international environment and development studies, NORAGRIC

5. Research • Strong connection between research and educational activities • Responsibility for long-term basic research • Important areas:- Environment - Food - Biotechnology - Aquaculture - Industrial development

6. The quality system process at UMB • A pilot project in 2001 was a soft start • Study quality has been an important area for several years • Reference group managed by rector • Employees participated in making and testing quality assurance activities • Internal discussion in various fora and hearings laying the foundations for KSU

7. Motivation for development of a quality system • Requirements in national laws and regulations • Also: We think that quality culture is important for our own development… • - Continuous improvement culture • - Awareness of teaching process • - Optimising resource use • - Tool in Internationalisation • - Transparency and responsibility

8. The Norwegian Agency for • Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) • and the Universities and Colleges Act • Regulation on accreditation, evaluation and recognition pursuant to the Act relating to universities and colleges and private institutions • Proposal for revised regulation on accreditation, evaluation and recognition pursuant to the (new) Universities and Colleges Act (consultation deadline 24 June 2005)

9. NOKUT’s 10 criteria for quality assurance systems The system should include: • Clarification of how quality improvement work is integrated into the institution`s strategic work. • Definition of the institution’s goals for quality work • Involvement of the leadership at all management levels in the organisation. • Organisation of the work in routines and measures that ensure broad participation, with defined areas of responsibility and authority. • Collection and compilation of information from any evaluations needed to adequately assess of the quality of all units of study, aggregated to the institutional level.

10. NOKUT’s 10 criteria cont’d… • Analysis of the information and assessment of the degree to which the goals for quality work have been attained. • Use of the results to formulate decisions and take steps to ensure and enhance programme quality. • Clarification of how quality work impacts resource allocationand priorities at the institution (human resources , infra-structure, service). • Active participation of students in the quality work and focus on the total learning environment. • An annual report to the board of the institution providing an overview of quality development activities and an overall assessment of educational quality at the institution

11. Perception by faculty • Quality systems can be compared to Cod Liver Oil: • The language is strange • It tastes awful • It is difficult to get children to take • It is toxic in large amounts - But when you have become addicted you cannot live without it!

12. Expected results of quality work and quality culture: Improved educational programmes Satisfied students Competitive advantage Achievement of UMB’s goals

13. KSU at UMB • Focus on the students’ learning experience • Includes academics, learning environment and welfare • Does not include organisation and research (for the present) • Implemented through UMB’s existing organisational map and management instruments • A system in continual development • Presentation on the web for greater transparency and participation www.umb.no/kvalitet

14. LONG-TERM GOAL: Guarantee that the time students spend at UMB is used effectively, and that the intended educational results are achieved The quality assurance system shall: ensure that quality standards are met promote quality development document quality work detect problem areas

15. KSU in practice (1) Systematic collection of information, documentation of measures and results • student evaluation of all courses • external examiners in all courses • international evaluation of study programmes • improved routines for course and programme descriptions and approval • annual report on educational quality and educational strategy.

16. KSU in practice (2) • The Committee for the Learning Environment (LMU) is responsible for the health, environment and safety of the students • Routines for quality assurance of academic guidance, student research, studies taken at other institutions • Increased focus on staff development (scientific, pedagogical, language, ICT)

17. How to develop “wide ownership”? • Involve teachers, students and management in developing the system • Ensure that the leadership is engaged and sends clear signals that quality assurance has high priority • Provide staff follow-up in cases of poor evaluations • Reward departments or groups that demonstrate ability to improve

18. Documentation of quality work • The system should be intuitive and user-friendly • Web-presentation with tools for users (glossary of terms, responsibility chart, document archive, quality requirements/standards, descriptions of routines, links to databases…) • Document the system’s effect; quality requirements, follow-up actions and improvement • Focus on students’ experiences and feedback • The Annual Report on Educational Quality should give an honest, self-critical appraisal of strengths and weaknesses

19. Høgskolestyret- påser at UMBs utdanning og forskning holder høy kvalitet- godkjenner systemer for kvalitetssikring Responsibility for quality assurance follows UMB’s new organisational map University Board Rector Committee for academic affairs Department Head Head of Education Responsible teacher Instructor Student University Board Rector Director Committee for the learning environment University Foundation for Student Life Division Head

20. The students: Our partners and co-citizens in the university community • Political participation: representation in all university decision-making bodies; regular meetings with the university leadership • Social participation: Students are responsible for student societies and activities • Academic participation: daily classroom contacts between teachers and students

21. Anonymous, web-based course evaluations UMB students evaluated 400 courses annually, for 3 years

22. Important issues can be identified

23. Examples of improvement activities Physical and psychosocial learning environment • The Committee for the Learning Environment (LMU) identified these activities to be carried out in 2006: • Bicycle racks • Ventilation in classrooms • Acoustic improvement in classrooms • Student center in Soils Science building • Computer systems • Classroom furnishings • Budget framework: 3 mill. NOK

24. Strategic work at UMB and educational quality • The University Board has determined goals and quality standards for educational activities • UMB’s Strategic Plan and other plans contain quality goals • Educational quality is included in departments’ annual plans and reports • Strategies are implemented through our management cycle

25. Structure of UMB‘s system for quality assurance of education EDUCATIONAL QUALITY QUALITY AREAS KEY ELEMENT KEY ELEMENT KEY ELEMENT Activity Activity Activity Activity Activity Activity Activity Activity Activity

26. 1. Educational offerings 2. Academic guidance 3. Work on MS theses 4. Work on PhD theses 5. Educational resources 6. Credit transfer 7. Physical learning environment 8. Information, ICT, library 9. Studies administration 10. Universal access for the disabled 11. Psychosocial learning environment 12. Student welfare 13. Governance for quality 14. Internationalisation 14 Quality areas

27. Quality area 1.Educational offerings Objective: UMB’s study programmes shall be research- based, maintain a high level of academic and pedagogical quality and prepare students for later service to society within UMB’s areas of expertise. Overall responsibility: Education Committee Key elements: • Regulations 7. New student introduction period • Programmes of study 8. Teaching materials • Courses 9. Computer-based learning • Quality of matriculating students • Evaluation of student learning • Academic quality of graduates

28. Key element 2. Programmes of studyQuality standard:UMB shall offer programmes of study having professional and social relevance and holding a high academic and pedagogical standard Activities:1.23.International evaluation of programmes Implementation: Education Committee. Status: A (= active)

29. Form describing Activity 1.2.3: External evaluations of study programmes

30. Form describing Activity 1.2.3 cont’d

31. A last note of caution: A quality assurance system is not a free lunch!

32. www.umb.no/kvalitet General description of the quality assurance system[kvalitetssystemet@umb.no]The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) has defined clear objectives for its quality assurance system: The system shall guarantee that students spend their time at UMB effectively and receive an education of high academic quality. This is the description of The System for Quality Assurance in Education at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. The web-pages are under construction. UMB has defined 13 (14) quality areas considered critical for the students learning achievements:QUALITY AREAS:1 Educational offerings 2 Academic guidance3 Work on MS theses 4 Work on PhD theses 5 Educational resources6 Credit transfer7 Physical learning environment8 Information, library and ICT9 Studies administration 10 Universal access for the disabled 11 Psychosocial learning environment12 Student welfare13 Governance for quality14 Internationalisation Quality Assurance SystemAbout the systemGeneral descriptionArchiveAnnual reportNorwegian More information:- Studies- Research- Student information centre- Students own website Quality area 1

33. www.umb.no/kvalitet Quality Assurance SystemAbout the systemGeneral descriptionArchiveAnnual reportNorwegian Quality area 1 Educational offerings[kvalitetssystemet@umb.no]Objective(s): UMB’s study programmes shall be scientifically based, maintain a high level of academic and pedagogical quality and prepare students for later services to society within UMB’s area of expertise. Overall responsibility: Education Committee Key elements for Educational offerings:2.Programmes of studyQuality standard: UMB shall offer programmes of study with high professional and social relevance and keep a high academic and pedagogical standard.Activities1.Approval of programmes of study.Implementation: Education committee Status: A2. Student evaluations of programmes of study. Implementation: Director of Academic Affairs Status: U3.External evaluation of programmes of study.Implementation: Education committee Status: A4. Follow-up of evaluations of programmes of study Implementation: Director of Academic Affairs/Departments Status: A5. Annual revision of portfolio of programmes of study offered Implementation: Education committee Status: A6. Other studentsurveys Implementation: Director of Academic Affairs Status: A Key element 2. Key elements1.Regulations2.Programmes of study3.Courses4.Quality of matriculating students5.Evaluation of student learning6.Academic quality of graduates7.New student initiation period8.Instructional materials and textbooks9.Computerbased learningGeneral:- All quality areas Activity 3.