Assessments • Quality policy
Quality management
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methodological terms, the assessments implemented by the SMAQ are resolutely formative. The SMAQ guides and stimulates reflections through questions and themes identified by a large institutional consultation. It accompanies the assessments, ensures that they are carried out in an objective manner and that they confront the opinions of the various stakeholders. In this approach, the assessed entity is uniquely responsible for the definition of its mission and the objectives that it sets for itself: neither the SMAQ nor the external experts that the SMAQ calls upon can force it to take another path.
Assessments related to the Education mission
ULiège's teaching quality system is based on a triple guarantee system based on evaluation processes. It comprises several levels of reflection and action with clearly identified objectives and degrees of responsibility:
The institutional level is assessed every 6 years by the AEQUES.
On this occasion, ULiège must demonstrate the validity and robustness of its internal quality system and show how, through the actions of the SMAQ and stakeholders (administrations, councils, etc.), it guarantees the smooth running of the quality processes set up within the faculties with regard to the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).
The faculty level is either subject to accreditation by an external body (CTI, AEEEV, AACSB, EQUIS) or every 6 years, an evaluation is organized by the SMAQ.
This assessment includes the three stages required by the ESG: self-assessment, external inspection, and publication and follow-up of an action plan.
The programmatic level implies an annual reflection on at least one of the themes meeting the requirements of ESG 1.9 "Institutions periodically monitor and evaluate their programs to ensure that they are achieving their assigned objectives and meeting the needs of students and society. These evaluations lead to continuous improvement of the programs. Any action planned or taken as a result is communicated to all parties concerned.
Over a 6-year period, the study councils carry out an annual review of one of the five themes, with a view to continuous improvement of the programs.
Research component
The SMAQ offers a range of services to research organizations wishing to carry out an assessment of their operations, including the provision of an assessment reference framework, the organization of data collection and the invitation of a committee of experts.
Assessments of administrative services
The active participation of the administration is essential to the success of all strategic projects which would be undertaken at ULiège. As a first step, the quality management objectives of the SMAQ were essentially oriented towards teaching and research entities. A desire to expand them in order to also include the administrative entities of the university was born. Indeed, to ensure its missions and provide the services that the collectivity expects of it, the University needs an efficient administration that demonstrates its credibility by taking part in the institutional quality assessment process.
Central administration services assessments were therefore conducted between 2012 and 2014. These were aimed at the improvement of the services provided by the administration, but also at the improvement of the working conditions of officials and agents by the gradual resolution of the problems hampering them. The development of a common methodology for the assessment of administrative services contributed to implementing a quality policy essential to the proper functioning and management of the University.
