Quality Conferences
A central element of Q³UoC are the quality conferences (Q conferences for short), which generally take place every two years for each degree programme. They are an opportunity to discuss the further development of teaching and learning. The quality conference can be used to further develop already established discussion forums, such as existing degree programme committees.
Procedure
Quality conferences at the degree programme level bring together representatives of the subject and students in a constructive and critical dialogue to discuss the conditions of the degree programme in terms of the quality criteria for teaching and learning, to analyse strengths and weaknesses and, if necessary, to derive measures for further development and improvement. Quantitative and qualitative data from various surveys and, if applicable, results forwarded by the Suggestions and Complaints Office serve as a basis for the conferences. They are analysed, discussed, contextualised and evaluated with the help of the participants’ experience. In degree programmes with very large modules, separate module conferences are also held, focusing on the quality of a specific module and contributing to the quality development of the degree programmes. Degree programmes with similar content or structure can also be discussed together at a quality conference.
The Faculty QM coordinates with the subjects how the measures will be implemented and coordinates the next steps. The results of the quality conferences and any development projects or measures are documented using a standardized university-wide template and their effectiveness is monitored in subsequent quality conferences. This documentation is made available to all participants with the opportunity to provide feedback and is sent to the Faculty QM and Q³ no later than six weeks after the quality conference. The results of the Q conferences are also presented as part of the internal reaccreditation procedures in the self-evaluation report.
You can find more information on the quality conferences in the QM Regulations (only available in German).
Participants
The Q-conferences are attended by at least the following people:
- Coordinators of the degree programme
- University lecturers who teach in the degree programme
- Academic staff involved in teaching in the degree programme
- Module coordinators who are involved in teaching in the degree programme
- Students enrolled in the relevant degree programme
If necessary, additional participants can be invited.
Responsibilities & deadlines
The coordinator of the degree programme is responsible for the organization, timely invitation and documentation of the Q conference. The respective Faculty QM provides coordinators with relevant handouts and templates for documentation. The Dean’s Office and the Faculty QM must be informed about the Q conferences and have a right to participate in the meetings.
When issuing invitations (at least one week before the Q conference) and organizing the conference, the degree programme coordinators ensure that the number of participants is appropriate for the agenda. Suitable student representatives are invited in consultation with the respective student association.
Participants must be provided with an agenda and, if available, the results of the degree programme survey and the module surveys of the previous 12 months as well as the current basic data sheets. The documentation is sent to the Faculty QM and Q³ no later than four weeks after the Q conference.
Continuous monitoring
In preparation for the quality conferences, Q³ provides the degree programme coordinators with the results of the degree programme and module surveys in a long and a short report, as well as the results of the graduate survey and the initial study survey, if available. In the survey results, Q³ highlights potential strengths and weaknesses with the greatest potential for development. The degree programme coordinators document the proposed solutions in the short report template, which can be downloaded from the QM portal, as well as the Guidelines for Q conferences. If a weakness is found to be unproblematic, there will also be a note in the template explaining why. The completed documentation is forwarded to Q³ via the Dean’s Office after the Q conference. The Faculty QM can use these to track the extent to which highlighted topics are discussed, any measures developed and their effects reflected upon. If the Faculty QM recognize that
- a problem remains unresolved,
- a measure is not implemented or
- remains ineffective despite implementation,
they can send reminders to address problems, develop countermeasures and implement them. Q³ supports monitoring by marking results that have been highlighted in previous surveys and show no development.
The effectiveness of Q³UoC is enhanced by discussing issues and problems at a level where they can be addressed directly. If issues cannot be solved in the quality conferences, they can be marked in the template and forwarded by the Faculty QM to the next higher level of action (the Faculty). The issue will then be discussed in the Faculty quality conference. In a similar way, overarching topics from the Faculty quality conferences can be passed on to the next level of action (the Rectorate or central service facilities).