QUALITY POLICIES

Internal Quality Assurance System

Approved by the Board of Directors and MFHEA

All educational institutions are required to implement a Quality Assurance policy as an essential part of their overall management strategy. Internal stakeholders must develop and implement this policy through appropriate structures and processes that are in line with the objectives they have set, and must also involve external stakeholders. In introducing the idea of quality and how to measure it, it is important to bear in mind that quality cannot be blind to the circumstances, i.e. the overall environment in which the higher education institution operates within a specific national and international context. The real challenge of quality management is to address not only "internal" but also "external" processes. It is difficult to understand one's own mission without considering one's relationship with the region (and the relationship between the College and the workplace).

 

We must also consider the role of other universities and colleges in MALTA and work with them to forge a system. This is crucial for students who are on postgraduate programmes. We must work only in our own areas of excellence, while recognising specific areas for improvement. Quality touches all dimensions of the College (teaching, research, Third Mission), but also planning and recruitment, organisation of administrative services and projects for the management of spaces.

 

Working in Quality, defining a common way of pursuing objectives, the tactics to achieve them, and the ways of monitoring and evaluating the results achieved, will allow the College to grow with a view to continuous improvement. This kind of growth (through and towards quality) must come from a strategic plan that provides guidance on where to invest and with what expectations. Our College's Strategic Plan therefore intends to develop a global project, based on a person-centred approach (students and staff), to build a culture of quality throughout the institution, implementing a cycle of continuous improvement that would encompass all missions.

 

In conclusion, Quality is not an abstract concept, but a process that must unfold as a complex project. Models must be constantly sought from similar situations in Europe. We should not forget that a quality policy, in its most basic and truest form, hopes to make the College fully "inclusive". After all, the ultimate aim of the quality of its educational and scientific programmes is to improve culture, quality of life and society as a whole.

Information management


The College collects, analyzes and uses all relevant information for the effective management of programs and all other related activities. The College hosts, keeps and makes available the documentation of historical relevance relating to its previous activity. The conservation, reorganization and enhancement activity is provided by the internal "service center". The archival system is faithful to the regulation of the library and archival system. The college collects and uses the information necessary to effectively manage study programs. In particular, a database is created with the following data:

 

A. Student population profile, which also includes vulnerable or needy groups;

B. Participation in the course and learning results; Attendance is taken both in classroom (student sign in) and online class (appeal of the teacher and platform tracking).

The minimum attendance achieved for obtain qualification is 75% .

C. Student satisfaction during and at the end of their programs;

D. Employment rates and career paths after completion of the course.

In addition to the student-based database, other information such as statistics are used MFHEA and government annual reports on education and employment.


Students who have completed the study path will be invited each year to fill in a questionnaire on their progress in subsequent studies or career.

Public Information


The College publishes information about its business, including programs.


The information is clear, accurate, objective, up-to-date and easily accessible to interested parties. Step by Step Guide provided by MFHEA is used for this purpose.


Student and external stakeholders are consulted about the usefulness of the information provided.

 

The College publishes on its official website information on its own activities, including courses and programs, with particular reference to:


1) the selection and admission criteria of the courses and programs;

2. the expected learning outcomes;

3. the qualifications they issue, with precise details information on the EQF / MQF level and on corresponding ECTS training credits;

4. the procedures used for teaching, learning and assessment;

5. the expected registration fees

6. the additional learning opportunities available.

 

All this information must be sufficient for potential applicants to do a informed choice on the knowledge, skills and competences they will acquire they acquire on successfully completing the study program. 

Ongoing monitoring and periodic review of programs 


The Direction monitors and periodically reviews its programs to ensure that they achieve their goals and meet the needs of students and society. These revisions serve to lead to continuous improvement of the program. This monitoring serves to:


a) verify the achievement of the learning objectives;

b) review the content of the program in light of the latest research and best practices evidence based,

c) respond to both needs of students from the company.


These reviews are carried out by the teaching staff and use:

 

1)  the learning results,

2) the "perceived quality" questionnaires filled in by the students,

3) the involvement of the students during the lessons measured with the 

     neurotechnologies.


The review of programs also includes stakeholders from the world of work, such as companies and professional associations. This is achieved through periodic contacts with their representatives. The quality monitoring actions are communicated to all interested parties. 

Cyclical external quality assurance


Quality Assurance in Higher Education is carried out by higher education institutions as part of their IQA but it is also closely linked with, and forms a foundation for the external quality assurance process.

 

A self-assessment “helps the institution check how far it is achieving its strategic mission and goals, and it allows it to prepare an action plan for further development” (Thune, 1998).

 

Self-assessments are practiced by many higher education institutions by now; however, their nature and how they are conducted vary significantly (Brennan and Shah, 2000).

 

In Europe, self-assessment is a slightly newer practice but it is also widely spread by now. The European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies (ENQA) reports that self-review is used in the majority of quality assurance procedures.


The College undergoes an external quality assurance in line with ESG criteria on a periodic basis. The College undergoes an external quality assurance by or with the approval of the NCFHE MFHEA at least once every five years.

IQA Document

Purpose - Recipients - Scope

Fundamentals Principles

Structure and processes

Institutional probity

Design and approval of programs

  Student learning, teaching and assessment 

Student admission, progression,

recognition and certification

Teaching staff,

Professors

Learning resources

and student support 

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