Quality Assurance

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT CENTRE

Systematic monitoring and periodic review of quality are mandatory activities carried out by the University as part of its self-evaluation and quality enhancement obligations. These activities are coordinated by the Quality Assurance Office, which constitutes the principal organisational unit of the University's quality assurance system. The organisational structure and infrastructure of the Quality Assurance Office enable the systematic collection and processing of data required for quality evaluation. This is achieved through the work of the Quality Assurance Centre and its associated commissions, which operate as permanent advisory and expert bodies of the Senate.

The Quality Assurance Centre coordinates the work of the following commissions:

• Commission for the Control and Assurance of Teaching Quality
• Commission for the Analysis of Study Efficiency and Student Workload
• Commission for the Monitoring, Enhancement and Control of Scientific Research Quality

The quality assurance policy is aligned with the strategic objectives, mission and vision set out in the Quality Assurance Strategy, which was revised and adopted by the Senate of the State University of Novi Pazar on 9 May 2022. Through this key strategic document, the University defined its core priorities in higher education quality assurance, and established its mission, objectives, areas of activity and measures for the implementation of quality standards.

The University's plans and activities are consistent with its strategic commitments and are presented in the Action Plan for the period 2022–2026. The first body responsible for quality control is the Quality Assurance Centre, established by a Senate Decision at the session held on 29 April 2010. At the session held on 18 May 2010, the Senate adopted the Rulebook on the Work of the Quality Assurance Centre, thereby establishing quality standards for the operations of the State University of Novi Pazar. At the Senate session held on 9 May 2022, the revised and supplemented Rulebook on Standards and Procedures for Quality Assurance and Enhancement was adopted, setting out the activities and responsibilities of all organisational units engaged in quality assurance.

The Centre ensures quality across all areas of its activity and organisation, in accordance with internationally recognised documents in the field of higher education, the Law on Higher Education, the Rulebook on Standards for Self-Evaluation and Quality Assessment of Higher Education Institutions and Study Programmes, the Rulebook on Standards and Procedures for External Quality Review of Higher Education Institutions, the Rulebook on Standards and Procedures for Accreditation of Study Programmes, and in accordance with the Quality Assurance Strategy and the general acts of the Senate governing the jurisdiction, working methods and decision-making of the Centre.

Responsibilities of the Centre and quality control commissions include:

• defining quality standards, criteria and indicators;
• conducting evaluation of the teaching performance of academic and associate staff, as well as evaluation of study programmes, teaching and working conditions;
• monitoring and controlling the pre-examination and examination obligations of teaching staff;
• analysing statistical pass rates and average grades across all examination periods;
• assessing the student workload required for each teaching activity stipulated in the course syllabus;
• estimating the time allocated for the completion of course syllabi;
• defining mechanisms for the quality control of syllabi and teaching methods and assessment methods necessary for the achievement of intended learning outcomes;
• defining all aspects of teaching, scientific work and the training of early-career researchers at the State University of Novi Pazar, based on the principles of Good Scientific Practice and adherence to the rules prescribed by the University's Code of Ethics for Scientific Research Activity;
• carrying out any other activities in the interest of monitoring and controlling the quality of the teaching and scientific process.

The Quality Assurance Centre comprises fifteen members: eight from the academic staff, three from the non-academic staff and four students.

Through the alternation of self-evaluation and strategic planning, the State University of Novi Pazar has, over a number of years, ensured the quality of the educational process and all other University activities through the following cycle: planning — implementation — review — improvement.