BURDUR MEHMET AKİF ERSOY UNIVERSITY QUALITY DIRECTIVE
FIRST SECTION
Purpose, Scope, Basis, and Definitions
Purpose and Scope
ARTICLE 1- (1) This Directive regulates the principles regarding the evaluation, planning, improvement, and sustainability of the educational and research activities and administrative services of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, internal and external quality assurance, accreditation, internal and external control, strategic management processes, and the principles, tasks, authorities, and responsibilities defined within this scope.
Basis
ARTICLE 2- (1) This Directive is prepared based on the Higher Education Quality Assurance and Higher Education Quality Board Regulation published in the Official Gazette dated 23.11.2015 and numbered 30604 by the Higher Education Quality Board Presidency.
Definitions
ARTICLE 3- (1) In this Directive:
a) Accreditation: The evaluation and external quality assurance process that measures whether a higher education program meets predetermined academic and field-specific standards in a specific area by an external evaluator institution,
b) Independent External Evaluation and Accreditation Institutions: Institutions and organizations that conduct external evaluation and accreditation activities domestically or abroad,
c) President: The president of the University Quality Commission,
ç) Unit: Academic and administrative units affiliated with Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University,
d) Unit Quality Commission: The commission that carries out quality assurance activities in units affiliated with Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University,
e) Unit Quality Officer: The personnel responsible for quality and risk management processes regarding quality and internal control applications,
f) External Evaluator: The person authorized by the Higher Education Quality Board to carry out the external evaluation process to serve in the institutional external evaluation process of the university,
g) External Evaluation: The process of evaluating the quality of the university or its programs by independent external evaluation and accreditation institutions,
ğ) Internal Evaluation: The evaluation of the quality of the university's educational, research activities, and administrative services, and institutional quality improvement studies by the University Quality Commission or evaluators assigned by the Commission,
h) Internal Control: The entirety of financial and other controls, including the organization, methods, processes, and internal audit established by the University to ensure that activities are carried out effectively, economically, and efficiently in accordance with predetermined policies and legislation, the protection of assets and resources, the accurate and complete keeping of accounting records, the timely and reliable production of financial and management information, and to provide reasonable assurance in these matters,
ı) Administrative Risk Coordinator (İRK): The Vice Rector, who is the Vice President of the Quality Commission responsible for the implementation of the university's risk management processes,
i) Quality Assurance: Planned and systematic work and procedures carried out to ensure that the university fully complies with quality and performance processes in line with quality standards,
j) Quality Commission: The commission responsible for carrying out the university's quality assurance studies,
k) Quality Coordination Office: The unit established under the Rectorate responsible for supporting the duties of the Quality Commission, ensuring coordination between units, monitoring the performance of processes determined by the commission in units, and reporting processes,
l) Board: The Higher Education Quality Board responsible for organizing and carrying out quality evaluation and assurance studies and accreditation studies in universities,
m) Institutional Internal Evaluation Report: The report prepared annually by the university to monitor the quality assurance processes related to the university's educational, research, and societal contribution activities and administrative services,
n) Institutional External Evaluation Program: The periodic external evaluation process to be carried out by the Higher Education Quality Board at least once every five years to evaluate the quality of the university's educational, research, and societal contribution activities and administrative services,
o) Institutional Feedback Report: The report prepared by external evaluators for the university evaluated within the scope of the institutional external evaluation program, including the institution's strengths and areas open to improvement,
ö) Performance Indicators: Tools used to measure, monitor, and evaluate whether or to what extent the university has achieved its goals and objectives,
p) Program Evaluation: The studies evaluating the teaching programs as part of the university's internal quality assurance system,
r) Rector: The top executive of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University,
s) Risk Management: The systematic identification, evaluation, taking measures to reduce the effects, and monitoring of risks at every level to ensure that the university achieves its goals,
ş) Senate: The Senate of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University,
t) Strategic Plan: The plan that includes the university's medium and long-term goals, fundamental principles and policies, objectives and priorities, performance criteria, methods to be followed to achieve them, and resource allocations,
u) Strategic Planning: The process of preparing a strategic plan and continuously monitoring the relevant performance indicators using participatory methods to create future missions and visions, set strategic goals and measurable objectives, measure performance in line with predetermined indicators, and monitor and evaluate this process within the framework of national development plans and programs, relevant legislation, and adopted fundamental principles,
ü) Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework (TYYÇ): The National Qualifications Framework defined for higher education,
v) University: Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University,
y) Directive: This Directive.
SECOND SECTION
Formation, Working Procedures and Principles, and Duties of the Quality Commission
Formation of the Quality Commission
ARTICLE 4- (1) The members of the Quality Commission consist of members determined by the University Senate from among the personnel who can contribute, provided that they do not represent more than one faculty, institute, school, or vocational school and are from different scientific fields. Among the commission members are the Quality Coordinator, General Secretary, Student Representative, and Head of the Strategy Development Department.
(2) The president of the Quality Commission is the Rector. In the absence of the Rector, the commission is chaired by the Vice Rector, who is a member of the Quality Commission appointed by the Rector.
(3) The term of office of the Quality Commission members is three years, and the term of office of the Student Representative is one year. A member whose term has expired can be re-elected in the same manner and principles. A new member is elected in the same manner and principles to complete the remaining term for a member who leaves before the end of the term or for any reason vacates the membership.
(4) The Quality Commission, which comes into force with the Senate decision and this Directive, is announced on the university's website.
Working Procedures and Principles of the Quality Commission
ARTICLE 5- (1) The Quality Commission convenes upon the call of the President or the Quality Coordinator or upon the written application of the absolute majority of the commission members and works according to the following procedures and principles:
a) The Quality Commission meets at least twice each academic year.
b) The meeting agenda, date, and place are determined by the President and announced to the members by the Quality Coordination Office at least one day before the meeting date.
c) The Quality Commission convenes with the absolute majority of the total number of members and takes decisions with the absolute majority of those attending the meeting. In case of a tie, the decision is deemed to have been made in line with the President's vote.
ç) The office and personnel support services of the Quality Commission are carried out by the Quality Coordination Office and the Strategy Development Department.
(2) To assist in its work, the Quality Commission establishes the Education and Training Quality Sub-Commission, the Research and Development Quality Sub-Commission, the Management System Quality Sub-Commission, and the Regional Development and Quality Sub-Commission. Additional sub-commissions may be established if necessary. Quality Sub-Commissions are determined to consist of at least 5 members, including the sub-commission president, upon the recommendation of the Quality Commission, and the commission members are appointed by the Rector for three years. A member whose term has expired can be reappointed. In case of any decrease in the number of sub-commission members, an appointment is made for the missing member within one month at the latest upon the recommendation of the Quality Commission by the Rector.
Duties of the Quality Commission
ARTICLE 6- The duties and responsibilities of the Quality Commission are as follows;
a) To establish the university's internal and external quality assurance system, determine institutional indicators and standards, and carry out the studies to be conducted within this scope in line with the procedures and principles determined by the Board and present these studies to the senate in line with the University Strategic Plan and objectives, evaluating and improving the quality of educational and research activities and administrative services,
b) To support the quality assurance system activities of the university's academic and administrative units through the Quality Coordination Office,
c) To carry out studies on structuring programs based on TYYÇ and learning outcomes and fulfilling the requirements of the accreditation process,
ç) To carry out studies to evaluate and improve performance indicators and quality criteria at the university,
d) To carry out unit activities and internal evaluation studies and prepare the Institutional Internal Evaluation Report and submit it for senate approval, ensure the approved report is published on the university's website and reported to the Higher Education Quality Board,
e) To make necessary preparations for the independent external evaluation and accreditation process and provide all kinds of support to the Higher Education Quality Board and external evaluator institutions,
f) To carry out the necessary studies in line with the results, evaluations, and recommendations of the report prepared as a result of the university's internal and external evaluation,
g) To ensure the publication of the Institutional External Evaluation Report on the university's website and take necessary measures in line with the Institutional Feedback Report,
ğ) To carry out studies related to the development of the university's risk management,
h) To determine the duties and responsibilities of the quality sub-commissions,
ı) To carry out studies and make decisions on matters brought by the Rector within the scope of this Directive or related issues.
THIRD SECTION
Formation and Duties of the Quality Coordination Office
Formation of the Quality Coordination Office
ARTICLE 7- (1) The Quality Coordination Office consists of the quality coordinator, assistant coordinators, and coordination support personnel.
(2) The Coordination Office is managed and represented by the Quality Coordinator. The Quality Coordinator is appointed by the Rector from among the university's academic staff for a period of three years. The Coordinator whose term has expired can be reappointed. The Quality Coordinator is a natural member of the Quality Commission.
(3) The Coordinator may appoint two assistants from among the staff in the Coordination Office to assist him/her in his/her work and procedures. Academic and administrative support personnel can be appointed to the Coordination Office with the approval of the Rectorate. When the Coordinator's term ends, the assistant's term also ends.
Duties of the Quality Coordination Office
ARTICLE 8- The duties of the Quality Coordination Office are as follows:
a) To develop a quality culture at the university,
b) To ensure coordination related to the quality assurance system between the university's academic and administrative units,
c) To ensure the formation of unit quality commissions and monitor their activities,
ç) To identify, monitor, and carry out improvement studies of existing work processes,
d) To carry out the necessary processes for establishing the internal and external quality assurance system, determine the system's performance and improvement needs, implement and maintain them,
e) To prepare, monitor, and update the Compliance Action Plan for Internal Control Standards,
f) To create policies and procedures related to the development of the university's risk management on behalf of the Administrative Risk Coordinator and carry out work and procedures related to risk management within this scope,
g) To determine and plan the training, meeting, workshop, etc. needs of quality representatives, process owners, and employees related to the strategic management, quality, and internal control system,
ğ) To chair meetings, etc., to be held with Unit Quality Officers regarding quality processes,
h) To contribute to activities such as surveys, data collection, analysis, mission determination, creating institutional and individual goals related to strategic planning studies,
ı) To monitor and report periodically the measurable goals and performance indicators determined by the university and academic units in coordination with the Strategy Development Department,
i) To monitor the expectations and feedback of internal and external stakeholders, carry out the design, implementation, and reporting activities of academic staff, administrative staff, student, and alumni satisfaction surveys,
j) To take necessary measures for internal and external audits,
k) To perform other duties assigned by the Rectorate.
FOURTH SECTION
Formation, Working Procedures and Principles, and Duties of the Unit Quality Commission
Formation of the Unit Quality Commission
ARTICLE 9- (1) The Unit Quality Commission consists of at least three members to be determined by the unit board in academic units and by the unit manager in administrative units.
(2) The appointed members elect the Unit Quality Officer within one week at the latest from the date of appointment. The Unit Quality Officer is the president of the Unit Quality Commission.
(3) The term of office of the members is three years. A member whose term has expired can be reappointed by the unit board/manager. In case of any decrease in the number of commission members, an appointment is made for the missing member within one month.
(4) In academic units, at least one administrative staff member responsible for administrative processes is included in the commission.
(5) In units with students, at least one student is included in the commission.
Working Procedures and Principles of the Unit Quality Commission
ARTICLE 10- (1) The Unit Quality Commission works according to the following procedures and principles:
a) The Unit Quality Commission meets at least twice each academic year under the chairmanship and call of the Unit Quality Officer.
b) The meeting agenda, date, and place are determined by the commission president and announced to the members.
c) The Unit Quality Commission convenes with the absolute majority of the total number of members and takes decisions with the absolute majority of those attending the meeting. In case of a tie, the decision is deemed to have been made in line with the commission president's vote.
Duties of the Unit Quality Commission
ARTICLE 11- (1) The duties of the Unit Quality Commission are as follows:
a) To establish the unit's internal and external quality assurance system and make recommendations to the relevant unit board/manager regarding the evaluation and improvement of the quality of the unit's educational and research activities and administrative services in line with the university's Strategic Plan and objectives,
b) To prepare, evaluate, and revise the unit's work processes when necessary,
c) To carry out and monitor internal control processes throughout the unit,
ç) To contribute to the implementation of the Unit Quality Commission decisions throughout the unit and monitor the results,
d) To prepare the Unit Internal Evaluation Report and other information and submit it to the Quality Coordination Office at the requested time,
e) To make necessary preparations and provide all kinds of support for certification and evaluation studies to be carried out by independent evaluation institutions,
f) To make recommendations to the unit board/manager in line with the results, evaluations, and recommendations of the report prepared as a result of the university's internal and external evaluation,
g) To carry out other quality-related studies determined by the Quality Coordination Office or unit management.
FIFTH SECTION
Internal and External Quality Assurance System
Establishment of the Quality Assurance System
ARTICLE 12- (1) The Quality Commission is responsible for establishing and operating the internal and external quality assurance system to be implemented at the university and ensuring that the institutional and program evaluation processes within the scope of internal and external evaluation are carried out in line with the implementation principles to be established by the Board.
(2) The Quality Commission is responsible for determining, developing, and auditing the information processing and other infrastructure requirements that will ensure the realization, storage, and monitoring of the university's internal and external evaluation reporting.
Institutional Internal Evaluation Process and Calendar
ARTICLE 13- (1) The university carries out internal evaluation processes in an integrated structure with the strategic plan, annual performance program, and activity report, covering all educational, research, and societal contribution activities and the administrative services supporting them.
(2) The university uploads the institutional internal evaluation reports, which include internal evaluation studies, to the web-based system created by the Board every year in January-March.
(3) Institutional internal evaluation reports are published on the university's website.
Scope of the Institutional Internal Evaluation Report
ARTICLE 14- (1) The university prepares internal evaluation reports periodically every year and includes improvements in the internal quality assurance system in the annual report.
(2) In the institutional internal evaluation report, the university includes explanations on how the quality assurance processes in the institution are defined and operated, how it is ensured that the targeted qualifications in the teaching programs are achieved, how performance indicators are monitored, and how continuous improvement cycles are closed, and supports this information with evidence. The internal evaluation report to be prepared within this scope;
a) The quality policy, methods, and processes followed in line with the university's mission, vision, and strategic goals,
b) The managerial/organizational processes and activities implemented by the university to achieve its mission and goals,
c) The internal quality assurance system that includes the evaluation of the key performance indicators and measurable targets of the academic and administrative units to ensure that the university has achieved its mission and goals and their periodic review,
ç) Improvement activities related to areas identified in the previous internal and external evaluation that need improvement