Quality Policy
Quality Policy
Introduction:
The Quality Policy of the Department of Primary Education at the University of Ioannina (UoI) is fully aligned with the UoI’s Quality Policy, the core principles of which are the provision of excellent education, the production of original research and innovative applications for the benefit of society, and the production of graduates with academic and professional integrity. This policy of the Department is communicated to members of the academic and administrative staff, as well as to its students, who, in accordance with their respective institutional roles, ensure its implementation and contribute to its realization.
The Master’s Program in “Educational Sciences: Dance, Society, and Culture” of the Department of Primary Education at the University of Ioannina, recognizing the need to ensure and continuously improve the quality of its educational and research work, as well as the effective operation of its services, by adopting the requirements of the Internal Quality Assurance System and the Institution’s Quality Policy, the specifications of the National Authority for Higher Education (NAHE), international practices, and policies of the European Higher Education Area, and applies a Quality Policy across all its operations. In particular, it is committed to implementing a quality policy that supports the academic character and orientation of its curriculum, promotes its purpose and objectives, and implements and pa
Specifically, it is committed to implementing a quality policy that supports the academic character and orientation of its curriculum, promotes its purpose and objectives, establishes and monitors quality goals, defines the means, actions, and methods for achieving them, and implements the appropriate internal and external quality procedures, with the ultimate goal of continuous improvement. These are achieved through the appropriateness of the curriculum structure and the qualifications of the program’s teaching staff, the promotion of the quality and effectiveness of teaching, the pursuit of learning outcomes and qualifications in accordance with the European and National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, and the creation of a modern educational environment that continuously encourages graduate students/ to engage with the research environment.
The Quality Policy presented in this document includes quality assurance actions and mechanisms designed to be implemented in the Master’s Program “Dance, Society, and Culture.”
Purpose and objectives of the Quality Policy:
The core strategic objectives of the Department’s Quality Policy for Graduate Programs are: excellence, the academic and professional integrity of its graduates, basic and applied research, the promotion of innovation, lifelong and distance learning, as well as the scientific contribution of its teaching and research staff to society.
Specific objectives of the Quality Assurance Policy:
The strategic objectives of the Master’s Program in “Educational Sciences: Dance, Society, and Culture,” which are aligned with the objectives and quality policy of the Institute of Education and the Department of Primary Education, are as follows:
(a) Compliance with the general legal and regulatory framework of the University of Ioannina (Institutional Quality Policy, Internal Quality Assurance System, Institutional Regulations, Assembly decisions, etc.).
(b) Continuous and systematic improvement of academic, research, and administrative quality indicators, as described in the objectives of the Master’s Program “Educational Sciences: Dance, Society, and Culture,” in the Internal Quality Assurance System of the University of Ioannina, and in the European Union’s Declaration on Quality Assurance in Higher Education.
(c) Continuous enhancement of the quality and number of research activities within the Master’s Program “Educational Sciences: Dance, Society, and Culture,” and, more generally, the development of a high-quality research environment, as well as the integration of the Master’s Program “Educational Sciences: Dance, Society, and Culture” with social partners.
(d) Systematically enhancing the prestige of the Master’s Program “Educational Sciences: Dance, Society, and Culture” at the national and international levels and ensuring the trust of social partners and society at large in the knowledge
(e) Promoting excellence among graduate students, faculty, and administrative staff.
Clear and measurable objectives for the Department’s Graduate Programs:
(a) Continuous improvement. The Department of Primary Education sets as its permanent goal the continuous improvement of all its educational programs, in order to provide students with an excellent education that prepares them for a successful career. To achieve this goal, the Department pursues and implements the continuous evaluation of its graduate programs. The Department periodically reviews the curriculum, teaching methods, and, to the extent possible, its facilities and infrastructure to ensure they meet the needs of its students. Ongoing feedback from students and faculty is used to review and implement any changes and updates to the curriculum, changes in teaching methods, and upgrades to facilities. Furthermore, the program’s potential to attract international students will be examined. Furthermore, in accordance with Law 4957/21.07.2022, it is proposed that this M.Sc. program take advantage of the opportunity to engage renowned scholars who possess specialized knowledge and relevant experience in the program’s field of study.
In addition, the goal is to strengthen practical training. Equally important is the aim to increase the participation of graduate students in research programs. Finally,
plans are in place to utilize University centers such as KEDIVIM and the Teaching and Learning Support Center (KEDIMA) for professional development activities for teaching staff on topics related to technological pedagogical content knowledge (the integration of content knowledge with pedagogical and technological knowledge) and equitable access.
(b) Academic Excellence. The Department of Primary Education aims to provide high-quality education to its students. The Department’s graduate programs are designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the various fields of Educational Sciences. The programs are designed to remain up-to-date and to meet high standards of quality in teaching, research, and assessment. To achieve this goal, the Department employs highly qualified faculty (tenured faculty, non-tenured faculty, and appointed staff) who are highly specialized in their respective fields and dedicated to teaching, research, and providing academic support to students. The Department ensures that the faculty members teaching in its graduate programs continue to possess the necessary qualifications, expertise, and experience to provide high-quality education and guidance to our students. The Department also ensures that the graduate programs comply with the specifications and provisions imposed by the current regulatory framework and any guidelines of the University, including all obligations arising from or specified by accreditation bodies and the state, while the Department also maintains and operates an internal quality assurance system. The Department also offers modern facilities to its students. The graduate programs are supported by modern or renovated classrooms, computer labs, and research facilities. The Department also provides access to a wide range of academic resources, including online databases, electronic journals, and books. This ensures that students have the resources they need to succeed in their studies. Furthermore, the Department conducts the process of developing its graduate programs in an ethical and responsible manner, adhering to the highest standards of academic ethics and professional integrity.
(c) Excellence in the educational process. The comprehensive and successful education of our students is at the heart of the quality policy for the Master’s programs in the Department of Primary Education. The Department provides a supportive educational environment that encourages students’ academic success and personal development through student-centered teaching and learning processes. At the same time, it focuses on clear and high-quality learning outcomes for students, which are assessed using a variety of methods, such as exams, the preparation and submission of assignments, and continuous assessment. The Department’s graduate programs are designed to help students develop critical thinking, research ability, and analytical skills required to successfully conduct and complete complex research/applied projects in the fields of Educational Sciences. The Department’s graduate programs offer students opportunities to engage in research and the writing of scholarly texts, including high-level master’s theses. Furthermore, to ensure the quality development of its graduate programs, the Department follows a policy that actively involves our students in the development
of the graduate programs, regularly soliciting their feedback and incorporating their comments into the redesign of the graduate programs
(d) Ensuring and continuously improving the quality of the curriculum, with the aim of: a. Providing specialized academic training to graduate students so that they acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for their professional and research activities in the field of Educational Sciences. b. To familiarize students with contemporary research practices and actively engage them in cutting-edge research topics, with the aim of further advancing scientific knowledge and involving them in the development of innovative, competitive, and pioneering solutions. c. The acquisition of knowledge and experience through individual and group work, with an absolute emphasis on the quality of educational outcomes. d. The integration of students into all aspects of academic activity through auxiliary participation in the instruction of undergraduate students (teaching practicum) as well as their active participation in the Department’s seminars.
(e) Alignment with the PI’s strategic objective of creating attractive study programs aimed at fostering a two-way connection with society and the labor market (3.1.) and specifically with Action 3.1.1c: Development of an educational methodology model and adoption of a corresponding teaching and learning policy to offer high-quality distance learning master’s programs. For the organization of distance learning for this Master’s program, see the Special Regulations for Distance Learning.
Actions to achieve the objectives
To achieve the quality policy of the Master’s Program “Educational Sciences: Dance, Society, and Culture,” the Department is committed to implementing the following actions, among others:
- Periodic thematic renewal of the M.A. program and its learning outcomes, based on current trends in research and the labor market
- Adoption of diverse teaching methods that foster critical and creative thinking, familiarity with the most up-to-date methods and practices in the field of study, teamwork, the cultivation of professional and research ethics, and the capacity for lifelong learning
- Continuous monitoring and improvement of teaching quality with a student-centered approach and a variety of methods for assessing learning outcomes, analyzing and utilizing the findings from all forms (internal and external) of evaluation of the Department and the Master’s Program.
- High academic performance of Master’s Program students
Promoting excellence among students through the awarding of paid positions based on their performance
Developing high-level research
Strengthening the participation of the Department of Primary Education in international forums/organizations
Strengthening outreach to the city of Ioannina
Improving infrastructure—for both in-person and distance education—as well as the Department’s operations and services - Προσφορά εκπαιδευτικών, επιμορφωτικών, επιστημονικών και ερευνητικών υπηρεσιών υψηλής ποιότητας σε φορείς και δομές
- Βελτίωση των στρατηγικών επικοινωνίας
- Αύξησητηςδιάχυσηςτηςέρευναςσεακαδημαϊκόεπίπεδο,τηδημόσιασφαίρακαι τη διδασκαλία
- Αύξηση του ανθρώπινου δυναμικού(ΔΕΠ, διοικητικό προσωπικό)Providing high-quality educational, training, scientific, and research services to institutions and organizations
- Improving communication strategies
- Increasing the dissemination of research in academia, the public sphere, and teaching
- Increasing human resources (faculty, administrative staff)
All quality assurance procedures of the Master’s Program “Educational Sciences: Dance, Society, and Culture” are subject to inspection and review, which is conducted annually by the Internal Quality Assurance Committee (IQAC) of the Department of Primary Education in collaboration with the Institution’s Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee (QIAC).