Director of the Center for Education Quality, Licensing, and Accreditation
Eleonora DARMOFAL
Core principles of the Center's operation:
- transparency: openness of quality assurance processes and procedures in education;
- objectivity: independence and impartiality in evaluating educational activities;
- systematic approach: continuous improvement and integration of all education quality assurance processes;
- student-centricity: taking into account the interests and needs of learners;
- accountability: ensuring compliance of educational activities with quality standards.
The Center is the key coordinator for education quality, licensing, and accreditation matters at the University. It collaborates with national and international institutions, organizations, and accreditation agencies to achieve its goals.
The Center comprises the following units:
- Department of Education Quality, Analytics, and Educational & Methodological Support, which consists of the following working groups:
- Licensing and Accreditation Group,
- Analytics Group,
- Educational and Methodological Support Group;
- Department of Distance Educational Technologies;
- Department of Educational and Extracurricular Work;
- Department for Student and Graduate Employment Assistance;
- Department of Postgraduate Education.
Main tasks of the Center:
- Ensuring compliance of study programs with state standards of higher education:
- analyzing study programs for compliance with current state standards and licensing requirements;
- preparing evaluations regarding the alignment of study program structures and content with the requirements of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (hereinafter – MES of Ukraine);
- facilitating the development of new study programs considering current requirements and global trends.
- Monitoring education quality and conducting periodic reviews of study programs:
- organizing regular monitoring of the educational process, including surveys of students, faculty, alumni, and employers;
- analyzing collected data to identify shortcomings in study programs and suggest improvements;
- coordinating the work of study program guarantors on periodic content updates, taking into account advancements in science, field specifics, labor market trends, and innovations;
- monitoring and analyzing education quality using modern information technologies.
- Organizing preparation for licensing and accreditation of study programs:
- preparing documentation and organizing the licensing process for new degree programs and study options;
- preparing study programs for accreditation in line with the requirements of the MES of Ukraine, the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance (hereinafter – NAQA), and international standards;
- advising academic departments and dean's offices on initiating and conducting educational activities (licensing procedures) for specific higher education levels;
- advising academic departments and dean's offices on preparing program self-assessment reports;
- organizing visits and collaborating with MES licensing commissions, NAQA accreditation panels, and international accreditation agencies;
- implementing recommendations resulting from accreditation reviews.
- Developing recommendations to improve education quality:
- analyzing student learning outcomes and identifying ways to enhance learning effectiveness;
- developing methodological guidelines for faculty, guarantors, and departments to improve instructional materials;
- participating in the formulation of university policies on education quality assurance;
- creating, implementing, and refining the internal quality assurance system.
- Implementing innovative methods for organizing the educational process:
- analyzing modern educational trends and innovations for integration into the learning process;
- promoting the adoption of digital technologies and distance learning tools;
- supporting faculty in developing interactive learning materials and applying modern pedagogical techniques;
- ensuring quality support for electronic instructional materials for distance learning courses;
- introducing analytical tools for collecting and processing data on educational outcomes.
- Upholding academic integrity principles:
- developing and implementing policies and procedures to safeguard academic integrity;
- organizing awareness campaigns for students and faculty on the importance of adhering to integrity principles;
- monitoring and analyzing cases of academic plagiarism or other violations, followed by formulating prevention recommendations.
- Ensuring the competitiveness of study programs:
- studying and adopting international standards in quality assurance;
- expanding collaboration with international partners for program accreditation at the international level;
- supporting University diploma recognition procedures abroad;
- supporting the employment rights of students and graduates;
- facilitating student internships and coordinating efforts with central and local authorities, employment services, enterprises, institutions, and organizations to match labor market needs with educational services;
- organizing scientific and methodological support for the educational process in postgraduate education to address the University's educational goals efficiently and promptly;
- conducting outreach and recruitment efforts among high school students and learners at vocational institutions of accreditation levels I-II.
- Developing a quality culture within the University:
- providing methodological and organizational support for preparing Ukrainian citizens for University admission;
- organizing training sessions and seminars for faculty and administrative staff on quality assurance fundamentals;
- fostering a collaborative environment focused on the continuous improvement of the educational process;
- promoting student-centricity as a core principle of quality assurance;
- organizing and coordinating extracurricular activities, establishing close interaction between students and the university administration through active cooperation with student self-governance bodies;
- aligning the efforts of the teaching staff, parents, and community organizations to enhance the effectiveness of student development work;
- organizing and coordinating extracurricular activities, fostering close ties between students, academic group tutors, and vice-deans of faculties.
Functions of the Center:
- advisory support to academic and administrative units on quality assurance matters.
- evaluating study programs for compliance with NAQA requirements, state standards, and labor market demands. Preparing documentation for licensing and accreditation.
- analyzing student learning outcomes and generating reports and recommendations.
- conducting surveys among students and faculty regarding the quality of the educational process.
- analytical and information support for the educational process, as well as developing and maintaining the University's information-analytical system.
- analyzing department teaching staff compliance with licensing requirements. Preparing reporting documentation.
- integrating distance learning technologies into the University's educational process.
- monitoring compliance with academic integrity requirements, drafting internal regulations and instructions to ensure education quality, and participating in shaping university policy regarding integration into the European Higher Education Area.
- administering, modifying, adapting, and refactoring automated system databases.
- supporting graduate employment and temporary student employment, helping graduates adapt to practical work, establishing and maintaining links with potential employers, organizing events to facilitate employment, offering advisory services on employment matters, and informing students and graduates about job openings.
- implementing new approaches, formats, and methods of student upbringing aimed at personal development, fostering patriotic values, supporting student self-governance initiatives, and organizing cultural and educational activities.
- planning, monitoring, and analyzing career guidance, conducting pre-university training, implementing marketing strategies, providing promotional materials, maintaining applicant records, and generating reports to enhance recruitment effectiveness.
- organizing and delivering training, certification, retraining, and professional development programs for specialists to improve professional competencies in line with modern labor market requirements and educational standards.