1) CAN YOU BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE COURSE QUALITY ASSURANCE?
Since 2013, the Ministry of Universities and Research has aimed to improve the quality of teaching and research in Italian universities through the application of a Quality Assurance model (AQ) named the Autovalutazione, Valutazione periodica, Accreditamento (AVA - Self-assessment, Periodic assessment and Accreditation) system. Application has been via the Agenzia Nazionale per la Valutazione del Sistema Universitario e della Ricerca (ANVUR - the National Agency for the Assessment of the University and Research Systems).
Since then, professors, students and technical-administrative staff of the University of Brescia are involved every academic year, working on the many activities described by the quality assurance cycle as shown in the brochure available on the Quality Assurance page.
2) CAN I TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE COURSE?
You can also contribute to improving the quality of the course, firstly by taking part in the Students’ Opinions Survey (ROS). After two-thirds of the lessons and until enrolment for the exam, make responsible replies to the questions in the questionnaire on teaching. Your answers, which will always remain anonymous, will be put with those of the other students and carefully considered by all those committed to improving the quality of the teaching. All students, even those who haven’t taken part in lessons, answer the ROS questionnaire and the results on teaching and courses can be found at the link below. You can make specific reports on the organisation of your course from your personal page or by completing the on-line form found below.
Student satisfaction questionnaire
Collection of reports on the Management and Quality Assurance System
3) WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE COURSE QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR THE STUDENT?
You can work with professors and lecturers to improve the teaching material and actual teaching, make rules clearer and the organisation of exam sessions more efficient, and promote the renovation or renewal of lecture rooms, laboratories and instrumentation through your answers to the ROS and your reports.
4) WHICH BODIES GUARANTEE COURSE QUALITY?
The following bodies work together, with different roles, to improve the quality of courses:
The Gruppo di Riesame (GdR - Review Group), which includes student representatives, should implement the monitoring and review processes; each year, it prepares the Monitoring Card which contains a self-assessment of the strong and weak points of the course and periodically drafts the Cyclical Review Report. The GdR promotes teaching quality improvement action for the course also taking into account the suggestions of the Joint Professor Student Commission.
The Commissione Paritetica Docenti Studenti (CPDS - Joint Professor Student Commission) is at departmental level and consists equally of professors and students. The CPDS assesses the educational programmes and teaching of the courses, by accessing the information in the SUA-CdS and other sources made available by the university, and formulates proposals for improvement through its annual report.
The Presidio della Qualità del Dipartimento (PQD - Departmental Quality Protection Board) is made up of professors and supported by technical-administrative staff. It oversees and co-operates in the correct operation of the Quality Assessment and Assurance System regulated by ANVUR in the Department and aids the University Quality Protection Board.
The Presidio della Qualità di Ateneo (PQA - University Quality Protection Board), an auxiliary university body acting in conformity with the ANVUR AVA System, consists of professors, lecturers, technical-administrative staff and a student representative. It oversees and co-operates in the Quality Assurance procedures at university level in courses and departments based on the guidelines formulated by the governing bodies.
The Nucleo di valutazione (NUV - Assessment Unit), a body made up of professors, lecturers, quality system experts and a student representative, is responsible for checking and assessing the quality and effectiveness of the university’s educational offer, the research work, the correct management of structures and staff and the good performance of administrative action in agreement with the work of ANVUR.