NOKUT’s Evaluation of UMB’s KSU
StudieavdelingenThis is a presentation of the status and preparation for Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education's (NOKUT) evaluation of UMB’s quality assurance system for educational activities (KSU) in the spring 2010. Approved KSU = continued authority to initiate new courses = of high importance to UMB
The University Director assesses the process where NOKUT evaluated UMB's Quality Assurance System (KSU) to be well accomplished. The final report is all in all pleasant reading for UMB with a lot of praise for a competent and well functioning system. An unanimously conclusion recommended approval of UMB's KSU.
NOKUT has been visiting UMB on two occasions this spring to evaluate the UMB's quality assurance system for educational activities (KSU). Last time our KSU was evaluated by NOKUT was in 2004, and then we were also accredited as a university. We got our university status from the Ministry of Education and Research from 1 January 2005. If the KSU is not approved, the uttermost consequence for the accredited institutions is to lose its authority to initiate new courses.
You can read more about how NOKUT presents its quality assurance role for education here (in Norwegian only).
The evaluation process folloed these outlines:
15 February: The committee received documentation.
The documents were: The institution's annual reports from the quality of work, description of the quality assurance system, recent board resolutions and overview of the new courses, a letter from the institution's management which contained experiences and challenges in the quality work. The letter can also contained the institution’s proposes for the evaluation’s focus areas.
17 March: Committee meeting (Oslo)
18 March: Initial visit to UMB, discussions with the University Management. See the program and further description below.
During or shortly after the visit, the committee notified the institution of the areas that was to be particularly focused on in the evaluation and requested for additional documentation either to be presented on the main visit, or to be sent to the committee prior to the main visit to the institution.
PROGRAM for the preliminary visit 18 March 2010:
09.15-09.45 Presentation of UMB’s KSU and important changes
by senior advisor Cecilie Mathiesen
09.45-10.00 The Committee’s summary
10.00-12.00 Discussions with the University Management 1)
12.00-12.15 The Committee’s summary
12.15-13.15 Lunch
13.15-14.15 Committee meeting
Ca. 14.20 Departure
Photo: Morten Brakestad
1) Participants: Rector Knut Hove, University Director Siri Margrethe Løksa, Pro-rector for Education Morten Sørlie, Pro-rector for Research Ruth Haug, Student Rector Ole-Jørgen Torp, Science Director Ragnhild Solheim and President of the Student Board Margrethe Valler.
The preliminary visit was an open dialog with the University Management where these conveyed their views on the operation and function of the system for KSU at UMB. It was also an overall and strategic meeting where the agenda for the main visit, 14-16 April was set / discussed.
14-16 April: Main visit to UMB. Meetings with department leaders and representatives for people who have been or are involved in, selected operative parts of the KSU, further document studies and committee meetings.
The main visit was hectic, included interviews with more than 70 persons, and went with one exception according to the plan.
Updated: 06.09.10
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Quality Assurance System at UMB
The Quality Assurance System shall guarantee that students spend their time av UMB effectively and receive an education of high academic quality.