QUALITY ASSURANCE POLICY

QUALITY ASSURANCE POLICY

of the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment
School of Sciences
of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

The Department of Geology and Geoenvironment is dedicated and committed to the implementation of a policy that ensures the provision of high-quality Greek- and foreign-language higher education to students who choose the scientific fields of Geosciences, organizing and implementing programs of three study cycles (Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies) of high academic standards and significant added value to major areas and the fields of Geosciences.

The purpose of the Department is to continue to serve educational, research, and broader social goals by contributing to addressing the development needs of our country. In addition, it seeks to develop a creative environment of research, free scientific expression and work for all personnel (Faculty Members, Laboratory Teaching Pesronnel, Technical Laboratory Personnel and Administrative Personnel) and the members of its academic community.

The Department of Geology and Geoenvironment has established and implements a specific quality policy, which is completely connected to the legal and regulatory framework that governs the operation of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Through the continuous review, redesign and redefinition of the quality policy, the Department is committed to achieving even higher performance, applying the principles of scientific ethics, accountability, sustainable development and social cohesion.

Linking quality policy with the Foundation's strategy

The Department of Geology and Geoenvironment has developed and implements a specific formal Quality Assurance (QA) policy, which forms part of its strategy. In the development and implementation of this policy, with the appropriate structures and procedures, all interested internal actors participate (Administrative Bodies, Faculty Members, Faculty Members, Laboratory Teaching Pesronnel, Technical Laboratory Personnel, Administrative Personnel, Students of the Department of all Study programs and other interested parties).

The Department's Quality Assurance policy and its implementation strategy are implemented through Internal Evaluation Team (IET) in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Unit (MO.DI.P) of NKUA.

MO.DI.P / NKUA is responsible for the organization and implementation of the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) at the Institution, with specific principles, criteria, regulations and procedures for maintaining positive elements and continuous improvement.

The Internal Quality Assurance System of NKUA was drawn up in accordance with international practices, in particular those of the European Higher Education Area, and the principles and directions of Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA) (article 14, 1 Law 4009/2011) and complies with the criteria defined in article 72.2 of Law 4009/2011,

This policy mainly supports:

• the organization of the Department's internal quality assurance system
• the assumption of responsibilities by Department leadership, staff members and students, as well as their role in quality assurance
• safeguarding academic principles, ethics, preventing discrimination, encouraging the involvement of external bodies in quality assurance
• the continuous improvement of learning and teaching, research and innovation
• quality assurance of study programs and their compliance with the special standard of HQA
• the efficient organization of services and the development and maintenance of infrastructure
• the availability and efficient management of the necessary resources for the operation of the Department
• the development and rational distribution of human resources.

The main axes on which the Department's Quality Assurance and Improvement policy is structured and which are connected and form part of the EKPA strategy are the following:

1. The continuous reformation and improvement of the study programs of the Department
2. The strengthening of student-centered learning in the planning of the Undergraduate Program
3. The improvement of the performance and performance of the Department's students
4. Reducing the percentage of students who drop out or are late to complete their studies
5. Strengthening the multi-level research project in the Department
6. Producing more and high-impact articles in international peer-reviewed journals as well as peer-reviewed peer-reviewed peer-reviewed conference proceedings and peer-reviewed volumes.
7. The continuous improvement of the working conditions of the scientific and administrative staff of the Department
8. Resolve infrastructure issues (eg building issues)
9. The development of synergies between the Department and other Departments and/or Faculties of NKUA in undergraduate and postgraduate study programs
10. The strengthening of transnational cooperation programs that provide for the mobility of students and teaching staff
11. The strengthening of collaborations with other foreign and domestic institutions, the dissemination and strengthening of research projects and wider synergies, as well as the improvement of the production of research work.
12. The development of the Department's extroversion.
13. The attraction of high-level faculty members from Greece and abroad.
14. Solving problems related to the implementation of the administrative project.
15. The Department's contribution to the intended implementation of measures to reduce pollutants and the environmental burden caused by the University due to its operation.
16. The creation of new, especially interdisciplinary or inter-institutional Postgraduate Programs.
17. The utilization of alternative funding sources (participation in international programs, self-financed study programs, sponsorships/donations).
18. The organization and utilization of the Department's alumni network in the service of its academic and social goals.

The Department's strategy for the QA and the high level of the titles awarded is determined by the multifaceted effort to secure the quality and completeness of the teaching, to meet the needs of new scientific directions and concerns and to open in particular interdisciplinary and international collaborations in the service of the above goals.

The results of this strategy are documented in the reports of the external evaluators, in the detailed information on the target setting and its learning outcomes, as reflected in the Department's study guides, in the positive evaluations of the Department's students regarding the courses, in the full alignment with the European and International Standards (ECTS system), in the acceptance of graduates in postgraduate and doctoral studies abroad, but also in professional rehabilitation and social their evolution.

The way in which this policy is designed, approved, implemented, monitored and revised is one of the procedures of the internal quality assurance system.

The Policy Quality Statement is posted on the Department's website at the link en.geol.uoa.gr/department/quality_assurance_evaluation/quality_assurance_policy/