The University has developed and implements a unique internal quality management system based on the European Higher Education Quality Assurance Guidelines and Regulations, the criteria of the Common Assessment Framework and the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model (EFQM EM) that are relevant to the University, and partial international quality management standards ISO 9001, SA 8000. The internal quality management system is aligned with the University’s strategy and meets the requirements of the national legislation of the Republic of Lithuania.
Strategic decisions related to the quality of the University’s academic activities are made by the collegial academic governing bodies: Senate approves the internal quality assurance system for studies and supervises its implementation, assesses the quality and level of the scientific (artistic) research and experimental development activities; Councils of the faculties examine the activities of the internal academic divisions and control the quality of studies and scientific research. All the divisions and study programmes committees involved in the study process are responsible for the assurance of the quality of studies. Strategic Planning and Quality Assurance is responsible for the assurance and monitoring of the implementation of the internal quality assurance system and strengthening of the quality culture.
Surveys are an important source of KTU data on the quality system. Feedback from the University’s interested parties includes reviews and evaluations by students, teachers and researchers, administrative staff, alumni, employers and social partners.
The criteria of the internal quality assurance system are aligned with the criteria of the external evaluation. This is indicated by the evaluation results of the study programmes, the obtained QUESTE-SI accreditation, and the plans to achieve EQUIS accreditation, for which School of Economics and Business is preparing. Quality management procedures are provided in the internal documents regulating the studies and research activities (for example, KTU Academic Regulations).
Quality assurance system allows to:
Documents and events
KTU quality management system which is aligned with the University’s Strategy and provisions of the main regulating legal documents is described in KTU Quality Manual.
Quality Manual
Quality Manual is a document of the quality management system describing the University’s quality management including its seven priority areas of activity in accordance with the European Higher Education Quality Assurance Guidelines and Regulations:
The University’s Strategic Planning and Quality Assurance is responsible for the preparation, review, updates and publication of the Quality Manual. This department stores the original document.
Quality Days are organised at the University for the topics of the quality of studies and research. During these events, the University’s community shares good practices and successfully implemented initiatives for the improvement of quality in studies, research and other areas.
Study Directors in cooperation with the Study Programmes Committees fulfil the objectives of the University’s studies in relevant fields, coordinate the assigned study programme (-s) of the bachelor’s and master’s , minor, part-time or non-degree studies and are directly responsible for implementation, quality and results of the external evaluation of this (these) programme (-s), as well as gathering of the study programme’s (-s) community for mutual work. The Study Programmes Committee members perform expert work, provide advice and direct assistance to the Study Directors
KTU has approximately 40 active Committees led by the Study Directors in particular fields of study. Each Committee includes: lecturers, who update the study programmes, students, social partners. More information is available in the regulations of the Study Programmes Committees for the field of study.
Study Director supervises the implementation of the study programme (-s) in the certain/relevant study field and is responsible for bringing together lecturers, students, social partners and graduates for implementation of the study programme’s goals and objectives; for external evaluation process and results; for building a team of lecturers; for the quality of the study programme (-s) in the field and for its improvement. He/she is responsible for updating the programme(-s) content, at the same time ensuring its curriculum, methods and evaluation enables the implementation of the anticipated results.
Study Programmes Committee participates in decision making regarding the programme’s (-s) design and curriculum (-s) in the particular/relevant field of study; in the selection of the internal tools for quality assurance; in forming a team of lecturers, also gives recommendations for improvement of the lecturers’ qualification. SPC takes part in discussing and suggesting specialisations / alternatives package of the study programme (-s), in annual self-evaluation of the study programme (-s) and in preparation of the improvement plans.
EDU_Lab – Laboratory of teaching, learning and education.
EDU_Lab didactic policy is to ensure that the process of the University’s studies involves the use of contemporary learning and teaching methods consistent with the current reality that provide conditions for the effective involvement of students in the learning process and thus help the students to develop their professional and general competences contributing to their personal development, active citizenship, social integration and employment.
EDU_Lab
EDU_Lab Team:
As a routine procedure, each year the study programmes are being submitted to the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education for assessment (internal assessment is being conducted at the University since 1994) and for the accreditation under the procedure laid down by the Ministry of Education and Science. The external assessment of the study programmes at the schools of higher education can also be conducted by another higher education quality assessment agency listed in the Register of European Higher Education Quality Assurance Agencies. The study programmes have to be accredited at least once per 6 months.
The quality of the study programmes is evaluated in grades (four-grade evaluation system) and according to 6 areas of activity – objectives of the programme and expected learning outcomes, structure of the programme, staff, material resources, procedure of the studies and its evaluation, management of the programme.
In accordance with the Guidelines for the External Assessment and Accreditation of the Study Programmes, the assessed study programmes are accredited for the period of 6 or 3 academic years. A study programme cannot be accredited for 3 academic years more than 2 consecutive times. The prospective study programmes are accredited for a period calculated by adding one academic year to the duration of the study programme. The accreditation term of the prospective study programme thus calculated cannot exceed 6 academic years. The prospective study programmes can also be accredited without a procedure of the external assessment.
The conclusions of the external assessment of the current and prospective study programmes are available at KTU Administrative Building, Room 409 or on the website of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC).
Plan for the external evaluation of the provided study programmes 2017
Accreditation term for the study programmes of Kaunas University of Technology included in the register of studies and study programmes in accordance with the orders of the Director of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education
University Study Programmes Committee (hereinafter – Uni SPC)
The chairman of the Uni SPC is the Vice-Rector for Studies; the Committee is composed of a maximum of nine members representing various fields of studies and/or groups of fields. More information is available in Uni SPC Regulations.
Uni SPC:
•Participates in decision making related to the strategy and policy of the University’s studies, to the study programmes’ package development and improvement, and the University’s study programmes structure
It is an effective method to ensure the quality of studies and to facilitate decision making regarding the required changes.
The procedure for the organisation of feedback at the University is regulated by the Guidelines for the Organisation of Feedback at Kaunas University of Technology and its appendix. The University’s survey plan is prepared and approved annually.
The following surveys are organised in cooperation with the Process Quality Management Office:
Methodology for Organisation and Implementation of Study Surveys, and Analysis of Results
Students’ participation in the provision of feedback (surveys, discussions, forums, meetings, etc.) is voluntary and anonymous. The feedback includes quantitative and qualitative reviews and evaluations. A generalised analysis of the feedback data is conducted, ensuring the availability of the results to the participating persons and other members of the academic community, who can make decisions for improvement of activity based on these results.
Study Programmes Committees in the relevant study fields, Study Directors, attestation commission, administrations of the divisions and the central University’s administration, teachers and student unions use the long-term feedback results in the decision making for improvement of performance and activities.
General feedback results are discussed in the meetings of the Rectorate, Deans Offices and Departments, announced in the University’s intranet. Study Directors use the feedback results for the programme’s self-analysis. Heads of the divisions make decisions for planning and implementation of the improvement tools for the division’s activities and operations.
If you have questions regarding the procedure of the organisation of feedback at Kaunas University of Technology, please contact studiju.kokybe@ktu.lt.
Head of Faculty Development Center EDU_Lab
Assoc. prof. dr. Asta Daunorienė
K. Donelaicio str. 73–401
+370 (652) 87 349
asta.daunoriene@ktu.lt
edu.lab@ktu.lt
Faculty Development Coordinator
Jurgita Barynienė
K. Donelaičio str. 73–409
+370 (678) 18 579
jurgita.baryniene@ktu.lt
Head of Study Quality
Virginija Bortkevičienė
K. Donelaičio str. 73–209
+370 (608) 28 944
virginija.bortkeviciene@ktu.lt
Coordinator of Study Programme Quality Assurance
Lina Gaižiūnienė
Donelaičio str. 73–409,
+370 (670) 09 826
lina.gaiziuniene@ktu.lt
Coordinator
Milda Ratkevičienė
K. Donelaičio str. 73–409
+370 (638) 24 465
milda.ratkeviciene@ktu.lt
Coordinator of Study Quality Projects
Kristina Žukienė
Donelaičio str. 73–401,
837 30 300 014
kristina.zukiene@ktu.lt
Coordinator
Rasa Šiugždinytė
K. Donelaičio str. 73–405
+370 (671) 36 146
rasa.siugzdinyte@ktu.lt
