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1Proj
ect n
umbe
r: 5
3053
7-TE
MPU
S-1-
2012
-1-D
E-TE
MPU
S-SM
GR
32
About the ProjeCt 4 - 5
Foreword 6
KiCK-oFF meeting 7
seminAr 8
monitoring visit 9
our view 10 - 15
interview 16 - 17
Contents
54
Development of Quality Assurancein Higher Education in Moldova
QuAem
Project number:
530537-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-DE-TEMPUS-SMGR
budget:
€ 939,727.07
Project description:
In view of the prevailing situation in Moldovan higher education (HE) as
well as the high priority placed on quality assurance (QA) in HE in Europe,
the project is aimed at making the existing QA structures at Moldovan
HE institutions functional, integrating QA into the strategic development
of the universities and supporting Moldova to develop its own QA system
on all levels up to the international accreditation of pilot study programs
in accordance with EU standards. Its target groups are the management,
teaching staff, administration staff and students from 27 state and private
Moldovan HE institutions as well as representatives of two Moldovan state
ministries responsible for the quality and accreditation in the area covered by
the six HE institutions belonging to the Consortium.
Project goal:
The goal of the project is making quality assurance at Moldovan higher
education institutions functional and conducive to strategy development at the
universities.
objectives:
Make the internal quality assurance offices of the Moldovan higher
education institutions functional
Empower students to participate in quality assurance, foster quality
culture on level of students and staff
Establish a functional dialogue between quality management structures
and academic staff in order to complete the quality assurance cycle
Empower quality assurance offices to conduct self-evaluation and prepare
accreditation process
Conduct international accreditation process of three study programs
Capacity building at the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health,
including groundwork, a pool of experts and documentation for the
activity of the Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation of the Republic of
Moldova
results: Quality assurance offices, academic staff and students from 27 Moldovan HEIs
trained in QA
QA peer networks established at national level
Six HEIs (members of the Consortium) evaluated
Strategies for six HEIs developed
Three pilot study programmes prepared for internal accreditation
Capacity building at the Moldovan Ministry of Education for evaluation and
accreditation of study programs
Website on quality assurance in Moldova
statement by the Project Coordinator – university of Leipzig
This project investigates and supports the development of a QA system in HE
institutions of the Republic of Moldova under the conditions of a transition
society and the involvement of a large number of exogenous actors in this
process. A study on the needs analysis conducted in January 2011 has
demonstrated that the newly established quality management structures at
the Moldovan universities are not functional because of the lack of training
of the staff involved, the low profile of students in QA, the low level of
communication between the QA structures and the academic staff involved,
the missing link between quality assurance and HE institutions’ strategy
development and the lack of a body that brings QA activities together and
helps to implement common standards in the Republic of Moldova.
The project addresses all these challenges through (i) a series of trainings
for all the actors involved in the quality cycle (quality management officers,
deans, professors, students, universities’ central administration) that are
tailored to the specific needs in Moldova, (ii) the creation of peer networks
for all the actors’ groups, (iii) the internal evaluation and the international
accreditation of three pilot study programmes, (iv) the creation of a pool
of experts (professors and students trained and actively involved in the
process of international accreditation of the selected study programmes)
for the future accreditation body of Moldova and (iv) the link between quality
assurance, internationalization and strategy development of HE institutions.
Apart from its pragmatic goals—to make the existing QA structures in
Moldova functional and to prepare the accredited study programmes for
participation in joint and double degree programmes within Erasmus for All
starting in 2014—the project aims at the scientific assessment of this process
in the broader context of HE institutions’ transformation and the current
debates on QA worldwide. In the meantime the University of Leipzig regards
this project as a joint and mutually beneficial learning process for all the
partners involved.
About the ProjeCt
76
Foreword KiCK-oFF meeting
The transformation of QA mechanisms is a process that
is not restricted to one country and it is undertaken by
political authorities and the academic communities with
the intention to facilitate transnational mobility and to
improve quality of study and environments for innovative
research. Our Consortium, consisting of the Balti State
University “Alecu Russo”, the Cahul State University
“B.P. Hasdeu”, the State University of Moldova, the
State Medical and Pharmaceutical University “Nicolae
Testemitanu”, the Technical University of Moldova, the National Council
of Rectors of Moldova, the National Council of Students Organizations of
Moldova, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health from the side
of Moldova as well as the the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation
of Study Programmes (AQAS), CHE Consult, the European Students Union,
Girona University, Leipzig University, the University Politehnica of Bucharest,
Roskilde University and WUS-Austria from the side of the European Union has
been assembled in order to propose a nation-wide QA system to the Republic
of Moldova and to help its universities to implement the various elements
of such a system within the next three years. At the end of this period of
implementation, we expect three sample study programmes to be accredited
against standards recognized all over Europe as a model to be followed in the
future.
Since the kick-off-meeting for this three-year project funded by the European
Union in Chisinau in late November 2012, the multi-national team has worked
hard to achieve its first goals. Sitting around a massive table during the first
meeting in Chisinau, people from Moldovan universities, ministries and
other organizations as well as from universities and agencies across Europe
established an action plan for the first project year. The initial step we agreed
upon was conducting a survey on what is done already in matters of quality
assurance in the Republic of Moldova and where we can identify space for
improvement. Based upon these findings three rounds of training for QA
officers and academics from the participating universities were planed. At
the same time, we focused on the role of student representatives. We have
to thank our partners at the University of Girona for organizing a first on-site
visit to their university that will take place in Girona in October 21-22 and
during which they will introduce project members to the QA practices in place
there. We also look forward to a similar study trip to the University of Roskilde
in late November, which will be combined with a seminar on EU experience in
QA and another meeting of our Consortium.
A look back on the activities since last November confirms the impression
of hard and successful work which will help Moldova’s higher education
institutions in building a working QA structure based upon their own unique
vantage point as well as the experiences of our partners in other parts of
Europe. We are grateful for the support we received so far from our local
partners and especially from the Moldovan political authorities. This first
newsletter will inform you about the Consortium activities mentioned
above in greater detail. At the same time, we hope it serves the purpose of
disseminating experiences we gained in our project so far.
During this first year of cooperation, truly transnational teamwork has been
initiated; I can only thank all participants for their commitment.
Professor dr. matthias middell
Head of the QUAEM Consortium
On December 3-5, 2012, all partners of the QUAEM
Consortium met in Chisinau for the kick-off meeting.
This meeting included an exchange of views on the recent
development in the Consortium’s universities with regard
to quality assurance, the role of various stakeholders in
this process, the challenges related to the post-socialist
transformation and those driven by Europeanization and
globalization processes in Moldova.
This meeting enabled all participants to get a deeper insight into the
processes taking place in higher education in Moldova and opened the
discussion on how the developments in Moldovan HEI—on national level
of politics, in various EU countries (on national and institutional levels)
as well as on the level of EU policies concerning the creation and further
development of the higher education area in Europe—could be linked
together.
The project’s partners agreed upon an action plan for the first project year,
which includes a survey on the current stage of Quality Assurance at the
Consortium’s universities, a three-rounds training on Quality Assurance for
QA officers, representatives of academic staff and of the universities’ central
administrations, a seminar on the role of students in Quality Assurance, a
site visit to Girona in combination with the last round of QA trainings, a study
trip to Roskilde combined with a seminar on EU experience in QA and, lastly,
a Consortium meeting. All these activities should prepare the Consortium’s
universities for a thorough internal evaluation aiming at strategy development
and the international accreditation of three pilot-study programmes in the
next two years. Additionally, they serve the purpose of harmonizing the
efforts undertaken by universities towards developments on the national
level with regard to the establishment of an agency for quality assurance
and accreditation and the creation of a national pool of experts on quality
assurance in higher education.
dr. victoria reinhardt
QUAEM project manager
98
Developing a Common Vision for a Functional Quality Assurance System
Assurance in Higher Education held in Chișinău, May 7-8, 2013, is one of the
activities of the WP1 coordinated by the University of Girona (UdG). The main
trainer was Josep Grifoll, a recognized QA expert, accompanied by the head of
the planning and evaluation department of the UdG, MireiaAgusti.
There will be three rounds of trainings conducted in total. The participants of
the first round will help to prepare the second round and act as co-trainers
in the second and third round. The participants of the second round will act
as co-trainers in the third round. These activities will represent a “train-the-
trainer” component which will be a more effective way to build capacity than
mere participating in training sessions could ever be. Representatives from
both Ministries of Health and Education were present at the trainings as a
form of capacity building and will also participate in the train-the-trainer
activities. As part of these exercises guidelines for selecting and training new
staff will be developed.
From April 3 to 6, 2013, Victoria Reinhardt (University of
Leipzig, coordinator) and Lukas Bischof (CHE Consult,
responsible for project quality assurance) visited
representatives of all the six universities of the Consortium
and of the Ministry of Education of Moldova as well as the
student representatives of all of the project universities
to discuss the project, clarify expectations and make
preparations for the first round of QA trainings, which took
place on May 7-8. During the monitoring visit, there was
also a financial workshop on key aspects related to the financial management
of the project.
All in all, the project is on a good track. All of the foreseen activities so far
have been implemented and all partners are highly motivated. There are high
expectations among the project universities related to the accreditation of
the three selected study programmes. Due to the lack of a national body for
accreditation for such a long time, graduates from study programmes that
are not accredited have difficulties working or studying outside of Moldova
as their diplomas are sometimes not recognized. Some universities organize
the accreditation of their strategically important study programmes outside
the country (in most cases by the Romanian Accreditation Agency) and are
very much interested in the future national agency for QA and Accreditation
recognizing the respective accreditation certificates.
The meeting with student representatives revealed students’ strong interest
to be actively involved at all levels (at the institutional level for the internal
audit and the preparation for accreditation, at the national level through the
creation of a pool of student experts and at the international level through a
link between the Moldovan student-experts pool and the ESU pool of experts).
In the meantime, students expressed the wish to engage in a more active
dialogue with ESU, which the project will also try to foster.
The political situation, albeit in transition, seems to be favourable to the
implementation of the project. The Ministry of Education has recently
developed an organic law on the establishment of an Agency of Quality
Assurance and Accreditation in Moldova. The plan of the Ministry is to have
this law adopted by the end of 2013 at the latest and to start developing the
necessary basis for the activity of the agency.
During the meeting, it became clear that the development of accreditation
criteria by the Ministry of Education of Moldova and the future quality assurance
agency as well as the standards used in the accreditations conducted by our
Consortium should be closely linked. The project should therefore contribute to
the development of a basis for the activities of the new agency by training a pool
of local QA experts, establishing a pool of student representatives and providing
the opportunity to conduct a first trial of accreditation procedures through the
accreditation of the three selected study programmes at the end of the project.
The experience of the EU countries represented in the consortium as well as the
experiences gained by the Moldovan universities within this project will help to
establish the concrete framework of the Moldovan QA agency. By carefully aligning
the activities of the QUAEM project with the development of the new QA agency of
Moldova, the accreditation conducted in the QUAEM project can be used as a form
of pilot experience for the operation of the future quality assurance agency.
Lukas bischof
CHE Consult GmbH, Project Manager
seminAr monitoring visit
1110
tiraspol state university
During the project, the organizational structure of the university system of
quality management will be consolidated and its operation will be improved.
Infrastructure will be complemented by appropriate technical means for
implementing modern technologies in order to improve the educational
process and assessment criteria.
The task of quality assurance at the level of faculties and chairs will be
focused on planning and developing assessment procedures, on monitoring
and continuous improvement of the training and research process.
Involvement of students and university staff in the training sessions and the
visits to partner universities with extensive QA knowledge will help us acquire
experience and reach values close to the standards of European higher
education.
One of the final goals of the project is the improvement of the Master’s study
programmes to be accredited at the European level.
Following the implementation of the project goals, we hope to achieve a
better quality in the educational process, which will lead to the recognition of
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees on the European labour market.
dr. Larisa sali
Local co-ordinator
balti state university
What do we think of QUAEM? The project “Development of Quality
Assurance in Higher Education in Moldova” is an opportunity to understand
how universities can add value to society through knowledge, research
and innovation focused on quality. It is a European project with a strong
consortium that can help contribute to sustainable capacity building in
creating QA offices at universities in Moldova. This project will optimize the
quality culture in our universities and promote the knowledge triangle of
“education, research and innovation” with the development of institutional
models tailored to the needs of a changing society and striving towards a
seamless integration with the European HEI system.
Our expectations: Knowledge of EU experience in external as well as self-
evaluation, developing individual quality monitoring tools to accumulate
experience with Assessment of QUAEM progress on three levels, developing
the ability to move from Quality Assurance to Strategy Development and
quality culture.
Visions for the future: Joint project with the consortium universities,
implementation of the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality
Assurance, experiences of self-assessment and external audit, accountability
of managers and employees of universities to promote quality culture.
dr. valentina Pritcan
Local co-ordinator
our viewour view
1312
State University of Moldova
In order to increase the autonomy of higher education institutions in the
Republic of Moldova as well as domestic competition and expansion of
academic mobility, Moldova State University considers quality assurance one
of the basic tools to provide its clients with high-quality education services in
the training of highly qualified personnel.
Thus, through the involvement in this project, our institution is committed
to the overall goal of developing a national system of quality assurance that
would allow quality indicators for the accreditation of study programmes at
the national and international level.
In the absence of national accreditation agencies, Moldova State University
pursues the following objectives:
• development and improvement of tools (techniques and methods) for
quality assurance
• involvement, through collaboration of all the actors of the higher
education system, in the quality assurance system (the administrative unit
responsible for the MSU, decanate, chairs, teaching staff, students)
• the creation of a mechanism for cooperation with the labour market, in
order to identify market demands
• the modernisation and adaptation of study programmes offered by the
institution according to the requirements of the labour market
• accreditation (national and international) of the study programmes offered
at MSU
dr. Liliana rotaru
Local co-ordinator
State University of Medicine
Enhancing the quality of higher education is a key priority for the State
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu” and other
universities aspiring to EU integration. Quality assessment and accreditation
procedures are crucial in improving the quality of education and in enhancing
academic mobility. QUAEM will strengthen QA in the entire Moldovan HE
system and help universities implement a well-functioning QA process.
Our expectation from the project is to have a functional QA system within
the University by strengthening the capacities of persons involved in quality
management, empowering students in QA processes and developing QA policy
documents (Guideline for self- and external evaluation and QA strategy).
International accreditation of study programmes will create the conditions
needed for a widespread recognition of qualifications and study periods
abroad, which is at the heart of the European Higher Education Area.
dr. olga Cernetchi
Local co-ordinator
our viewour view
1514
ESU
The Republic of Moldova is a signatory country to the Bologna process and a
member of the European Higher Education Area. Moldovan students, as any
others, should be able to benefit from a high-quality higher education system
and to contribute to its development as competent and constructive partners.
In addition to that, it is important for Moldovan students to gain international
experience through study periods abroad, to get their diploma recognized
when applying for postgraduate studies in foreign universities. In order to
fulfil students’ expectations, it is important that commitment to Bologna
reforms is translated into coherent action.
One of the core policy areas of the Bologna process is quality assurance –
having an independent, reliable and transparent system for quality assurance
is a prerequisite for facilitating trust in higher education providers on the
national level and abroad. However, it is well understood that setting up such
a system requires specific expertise, which is generated through the QUAEM
project. The European Students’ Union (ESU) is a partner in this project and
has an important role to play, which is empowering students’ participation
in quality assurance on all levels within the Moldovan higher education
system. ESU, together with the local student representatives, has developed
a concept for the capacity building event for students, which will take place
in September 2013. One of the outcomes planned for the event is setting up a
national pool of student-experts to participate in the external reviews as well
as to contribute to the development of quality culture on campus.
On the European level, it has been a decade since students have had a say
in quality assurance. On the national level, however, students still face
challenges when it comes to involvement in the governance of quality
assurance agencies, participation in external reviews, to name just two
examples. ESU hopes that QUAEM will create a model for genuine student
participation in QA in Moldova.
Karina ufert
ESU chairperson
Students of Moldova
Being part of a consortium devoted to implementing a functional quality
assurance system in Moldovan higher education is a new experience for all
members of the National Council of Student Organizations from Moldova.
From the start, QUAEM recognized that involving students and allowing us to
make our voices heard is crucially important for a sensible development of
QA structures. As Moldovan student representatives, we experience higher
education in Moldova differently than some other partners – university staff
and politicians – do. Thus, we hope to contribute additional insights to the
project and to work closely with our project partners in order to harmonize all
different approaches.
During the kick-off meeting, NCSO gained important insights into various
countries’ and institutions’ QA structures as well as their pros and cons. In
the future, we hope to take cues on how to implement a reliable QA system in
Moldovan higher education according to the Bologna guidelines. We also hope
to have the opportunity to get in touch with students from other countries to
exchange experiences and to partake in other interactive activities. We believe
that the project will be a success and are committed to contributing to it so
that Moldova can have its own accreditation agency in the near future.
victoria bivol, m.A.
State University of Moldova
our viewour view
1716
Interview with Dr. Nadejda Velisco, Head of Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova
what are your thoughts about the current situation in the republic of moldova, the recent developments regarding the bologna process, and the reforms in he?
Higher Education in the Republic of Moldova has undergone profound changes
in recent years. The reforming process of the higher education system has
itself undergone both quantitative as well as qualitative structural and content
changes.
The most prominent reforms in HE have happened since the declaration of the
intent to align the Moldovan HE to the unique European area according to the
Bologna Declaration.
Pre-ascension activities first of all envisioned structural reforms, the
elaboration of the normative framework, active involvement and dialogue
with the teaching staff, students and the community. There have been made
legislative adjustments regarding the new architecture of higher education, the
implementation of the European System of Transferable Credits and distance
learning as a form of higher education organization.
Aiming at adapting the qualifications awarded by the national HE to the ones
awarded on a European level, a new nomenclature of fields and specialties for
HE has been approved after being designed according to the requirements of
the domestic and European labour markets.
New generations of education plans have been elaborated according to the
plan’s framework; analytical programs have been revised and updated.
Among other measures that have been implemented, starting with the 2005
promotion, all graduates (Bachelor and Master) of the Moldovan HE institutions
receive a Diploma Supplement mandatorily and free of charge, issued both in
RM’s official language and in English, as well as other actions.
what grade would you give the republic of moldova for its degree of implementation of the bologna process, on a scale of 1 to 10?
I think that in order to give some kind of appreciation of the progress of the
reforms towards the implementation of the Bologna process, we need agencies
that would assess the impact of the implemented actions. Personally, I think
that the effect of the reforms implemented in HE benefits all citizens of the
Republic of Moldova.
what is your vision about the future of the he in the republic of moldova?
The Republic of Moldova as well as the entire European education area has
witnessed a widening of access to HE as a result of economic development,
changes in the labour market and the increase of the number of people who
request higher education, motivated by socio-cultural requirements.
Basically, we are witnessing a change of the priorities from having secondary
vocational studies, as a precondition for ensuring a long-term well-paid job,
to the pressing need for higher education as a confirmation of professional
aspirations. Higher education is no longer a vocation or a privilege, but rather
a social requirement: Today’s society cannot function in the absence of well-
prepared and qualified persons or without the expansion of scientific research,
which shapes the progress of our society. In the context of autonomy and responsibility:
a) An equilibrium must be reached between the institutional autonomy and
the responsibility of the HE institutions with state financing – universities need
a consolidated autonomy to better serve society, while their management is
able to design efficient internal structures, to select and train the necessary
personnel, to elaborate academic programmes and to use the financial
resources according to their own objectives
b) Greater flexibility must be granted while the universities provide various
study programmes, courses, etc.
c) Internships must still be one of the universities’ duties in partnership with
private companies. Universities must be adamant in demanding that students
be placed with those companies
d) More autonomy to the teaching staff according to the European visions
e) Entrepreneurial activity must be recommended to the universities
in the context of the administration reform, there is a need for the introduction
into the structure of universities’ administration of councils for strategic and
institutional development, with crystal clear responsibilities, for example who
approves the strategic plan of the institution and how the administrative bodies
such as the senate, the council of administration, etc., collaborate.
The adherence to the European Higher Education Area requires the introduction
of the national framework of qualifications into the legal framework,
redesigning the curricula within the context of the teaching results, student-
oriented teaching, development of common and dual diploma within the
framework of a policy of internationalization, fostering tighter connections with
the private sector aiming at boosting the employment chances of the graduates,
bringing the Doctorate Cycle III studies to the level 8 ISCED, etc.
do you think that the development of a QA system can be a useful instrument?
Quality Assurance is considered to be one of the important factors in amplifying
the attractiveness and competitiveness of the European HE on an international
level. Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that QA systems play a vital role in
guaranteeing quality standards as well as providing a common denominator
for the comparison of the titles and qualifications awarded by European
universities. Hence, the Republic of Moldova will also have the QA system as a
useful tool for adhering to the European Higher Education Area.
what is the work plan for the foundation of the national Agency for Quality Assurance?
Presently, the Ministry of Education has initiated a series of amendments to
the current Law on Education regarding the creation of the National Agency
for Quality Assurance. After presenting the bill to the interested ministries, it
will be submitted for approbation to the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
The bill regarding the creation of the Agency will be approved in July 2013.
After the Law comes into force, an interim council by the government’s side
interviewinterview
1918
will be given a term of six months for the elaboration and approval of the
Agency’s Regulation, its structure, staff employment and the establishment of
the Council of Administration. Concomitantly, work groups will elaborate the
methodology for evaluation and accreditation as well as other normative acts
necessary for the activity of the Agency.
in your opinion, what support could the ministry provide to this Agency?
A6. The Ministry of Education is the institution which has the most interest in
the quality of higher education, which is the reason why it will promote the bill
regarding the creation of the National Agency for Quality Assurance and will
support the entire process of its establishment.
how do you regard the role of the universities in the development of the QA system?
A7. Currently, the great majority of universities have developed internal quality
management systems. The experience of these universities will contribute
to the development of the methodology of evaluation and accreditation,
elaboration of reference standards and performance indicators used during
the evaluation and assurance of education quality. At the same time, university
staff will participate in activities performed by specialty commissions during
the evaluation and accreditation of higher education institutions and study
programs.
what are your thoughts regarding the project „development of Quality Assurance in higher education institutions in the republic of moldova”?A8. The project „Development of Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Institutions in the Republic of Moldova” responds to the great need of reform
of higher education. The implementation of this project will contribute to
the development of a legal framework regarding quality assurance and the
development of instruments for the evaluation and accreditation of education
institutions and study programmes. The project will contribute to the formation
of skills for all the actors involved, which will be a part of the evaluation and
accreditation processes. For the first time, a special role in these processes is
reserved for students.
how does the ministry of education plan to get the moldovan he institutions involved in the creation of the national Agency for QA, including the necessary documentation (such as the indicators and external evaluation and accreditation procedures), which is key to the Agency’s activity?
A9. As I mentioned earlier, university staff will contribute to the development
of the Agency through their own involvement. It is planned that the Agency will
have a pool of experts on fields/specialties who will participate in the process
of evaluation and accreditation. As far as the elaboration of key documentation
is concerned, they will be able to participate within the groups of experts who
will elaborate the methodology of evaluation and accreditation, the respective
procedures, reference standards, performance indicators regarding quality
assurance, etc.
interview
20
Partner institutions:
impressum:
Published by: Project Consortium - “QUAEM”
Coordination: Dino Mujkić
Design: Agencija LOGO
Lector: Alexandra Hähnert
Translation: Alexandar Umanet