Academy of Educational Quality
Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University operates under conditions of constant challenges and changes: globalization of the educational space, labor market demands, development of digital technologies, the growing role of academic integrity, and internationalization. Under these conditions, an effective system of internal quality assurance of higher education becomes particularly important, allowing not only to meet state standards and requirements of accreditation procedures but also guaranteeing the competitiveness of graduates, forming a culture of trust and transparency.
The university’s system is based on European standards (ESG-2015), the provisions of DSTU ISO 9001:2015, and national legislation.
It combines a multi-level management structure, clearly defined roles of all participants in the educational process, and effective mechanisms for monitoring and improvement. Special attention is paid to the formation of academic integrity, the development of innovations, partnerships with employers, and the active involvement of students in evaluating the quality of education.
At the same time, preparation for the accreditation of educational programs requires guarantors, heads of departments, and assurance teams to have a high level of professional competence, knowledge of the regulatory framework, modern methods, and practical tools.
For this very reason, the university has created the Quality Education Academy – an educational and training project that will facilitate the professional development of participants in the educational process and the effective implementation of quality standards in educational activities.
This is a space for practical learning and development, which functions as an integral part of the education quality assurance system, aimed at creating a favorable educational environment for the development of a higher education student’s personality, fostering academic integrity, supporting innovativeness, and ensuring a high level of professional training.
The Quality Education Academy is aimed at involving all parties of the educational process (academic staff, guarantors, heads of departments, deans, students, and stakeholders) in preparing educational programs for accreditation examinations.
Here, participants gain up-to-date knowledge about the standards and requirements of the NAQA (National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance), work through practical cases, exchange experiences, and receive expert advice. The space helps to confidently undergo accreditation examinations and implement a culture of quality education at the university.
Goal: forming a quality culture as a worldview and value basis for the activities of the academic community, which determines the approaches to organizing the educational process and responsibility for its results, as well as developing the professional competencies of educational program guarantors, heads of departments, and other participants in the educational process in accordance with modern accreditation requirements and European standards.
Main tasks
- Provide practical knowledge regarding higher education standards, NAQA requirements, and the specifics of the accreditation process.
- Form a culture of academic integrity and approaches to quality assurance in education.
- Create a platform for experience exchange among guarantors of various specialties.
- Develop practical cases – working with real documents, situations, and problems that arise during accreditation.
Work formats
- interactive trainings and workshops;
- case sessions analyzing mistakes and successful practices;
- consultations with NAQA experts;
- small group work on own programs;
- mini-lectures on key topics (legislation, standards, indicators, etc.).
Mentors:
- Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and University Development Prospects;
- academic staff who are NAQA experts;
- members of expert branch councils;
- NAQA representatives.
Expected results
Participants will be able to:
- confidently navigate accreditation procedures;
- competently prepare a self-assessment report and other materials;
- organize internal processes for monitoring the quality of education;
- present the educational program to experts.
The training program is built on a modular basis and consists of three training modules (each of which examines three criteria in detail). This structure allows for consistent and systematic mastery of all requirements and the development of practical skills for their implementation.
Upon successful completion of all three modules, participants receive a professional development certificate confirming their professional readiness for the effective management of educational programs and passing the accreditation examination.
The launch of the Quality Education Academy is another step by Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University towards building a transparent, effective, and student-oriented quality assurance system that meets European standards and modern challenges.
Explanatory materials, recommendations, and regulatory documents
Educational program self-assessment information form
List of significant shortcomings
